I need to reinstall Windows 7 but I don't have the original disk that goes with the machine I do however have a different Windows 7 disk. My question is would I be able to install Windows 7 using this separate disk? I have a licence key for Windows 7 which I can use but I'm wondering if each Windows 7 disk is tied to a specific licence key?
2 Answers
some windows 7 disks work, but some have issues activating. I used a dell disk on a compaq machine and i couldn't activate windows :(
i'm assuming they are manufacturer specific?
if so i believe you can download a generic windows 7:
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58996.iso (home premium x86)
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso (home premium x64)
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59183.iso (PRO x86)
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59186.iso (PRO x64)
burn the right iso to a dvd and boot from it.
I could be wrong, but I believe the Microsoft license agreement requires you to obtain replacement OEM disk(s) from the vendor...Unfortunately, all OEM media isn't created equal.