Solved New Hard Drive, No Windows. Help!

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mbhd

PCHF Member
Jun 3, 2017
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Hey all,
I've just been donated a PC. It's a couple of years old but still definitely workable. The hard drive was shot so I purchased a new one one and fitted it.
Now I have no clue about how to get windows 10 onto this new hard drive!

Someone mentioned to me that the windows license key that came with it is tied to the motherboard? I'm not even sure what windows version it was running previously.
Do I pay for a new copy of windows 10?
Do I have to download a copy to put on a bootable USB? If so, does it have to be from Microsoft or any retailer?
Can I get it for free as I have the license key, even if I don't know what windows version it was running?
What's the difference between retail and OEM versions?

Sorry for the multitude of questions but I'm just a bit lost. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks!
 
Hello

Please give us some of your pc spec's. A retail copy is that you own it and usually doesn't depend on what pc you put it on,if you pc is compatible. OEM versions are linked to that one pc,however you can buy an OEM copy and use that on a pc but just on that one pc,if it is compatible. Do you happen to know what OS is on that pc/HDD now?
Just so you know that MS has made a limit on some OEM pc mobo's and all that can be used is win 10 if it came with it.
 
vger said:
Hello

Please give us some of your pc spec's. A retail copy is that you own it and usually doesn't depend on what pc you put it on,if you pc is compatible. OEM versions are linked to that one pc,however you can buy an OEM copy and use that on a pc but just on that one pc,if it is compatible. Do you happen to know what OS is on that pc/HDD now?
Just so you know that MS has made a limit on some OEM pc mobo's and all that can be used is win 10 if it came with it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply!
I really wish I could tell you more about it. It says Dell XPS 8100 - 4754 on the bottom. I can see it has a GTX 260 card in it. The HD I got for it was a WD Blue 1tb. There's a sticker on top with a windows license key but not the version of windows. I'm not really qualified to identify things like motherboard or power supply or memory. Does any of that help?
 
Ok this pc could be compatible. I am still trying to find a way to get a free version of Win 10 for you. Also Dell supposedly has drivers for your pc if you use WIn 10. There seems to be an issue with the internal Lan hardware using win 10,but this find is not set in stone.

Let's see if i can get you more help.... @DOUGIE
 
vger said:
Ok this pc could be compatible. I am still trying to find a way to get a free version of Win 10 for you. Also Dell supposedly has drivers for your pc if you use WIn 10. There seems to be an issue with the internal Lan hardware using win 10,but this find is not set in stone.

Let's see if i can get you more help.... @DOUGIE
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it! If you need any more info, I'll do my best to find it for you.
 
My bad..i forgot Dougie was on the other side of the world..So i am trying to get more help here.
 
The computer was original installed Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-Bit, if you have product key for Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit you can activate Windows 10 Pro operating system.
 
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FreeBooter said:
The computer was original installed Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-Bit, if you have product key for Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit you can activate Windows 10 Pro operating system.
Click to expand...

Oh great, you were able to verify that from the info I gave you? So would I install windows 10 using a bootable USB and use the license key on the sticker to activate it?
 
I spoke to the guy who gave it to me and he just made things more confusing. He said that Windows wasn't activated on it (had expired) but he was still using it anyway. It had a message telling him to pay to activate it, but never bothered and it worked fine. Sounds a bit off, no? Said I should just install Windows 10 from a USB and use it like he did.
 
If the key you used was from a sticker attached to the computer in question then it is an OEM:COA key and CAN NOT be activated online against MS servers. Attempting to do so will generate an invalid key error. OEM:COA keys require OFFLINE activation requiring phoning MS's automated toll free number in order to complete the activation process. It will give you a code based upon your OEM key and the hash that Windows calculates based upon your computer's hardware. You complete the activation process by entering that code into the Windows activation dialogues.

To use OEM:COA key offline activation type slui.exe 4 + enter into the Search dialogue box of the Start menu. If UAC prompts indicate Yes and follow the ensuing dialogue windows. Note have a pen and paper handy in order to write down the confirmation code as you will need to enter it in the appropriate dialogue window if activation was SUCCESSFUL. If the process was NOT successful, stay on the line and you will be transferred to a human operator to which you can plead your case If you get disconnected, simply phone back but this time say nothing at the automated process where it asks you to enter your key, instead wait the two repeated requests in silence and you will be transferred to a live agent.
 
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mbhd said:
I spoke to the guy who gave it to me and he just made things more confusing. He said that Windows wasn't activated on it (had expired) but he was still using it anyway. It had a message telling him to pay to activate it, but never bothered and it worked fine. Sounds a bit off, no? Said I should just install Windows 10 from a USB and use it like he did.
Click to expand...

Looks like he never activated Windows 7.
 
FreeBooter said:
If the key you used was from a sticker attached to the computer in question then it is an OEM:COA key and CAN NOT be activated online against MS servers. Attempting to do so will generate an invalid key error. OEM:COA keys require OFFLINE activation requiring phoning MS's automated toll free number in order to complete the activation process. It will give you a code based upon your OEM key and the hash that Windows calculates based upon your computer's hardware. You complete the activation process by entering that code into the Windows activation dialogues.

To use OEM:COA key offline activation type slui.exe 4 + enter into the Search dialogue box of the Start menu. If UAC prompts indicate Yes and follow the ensuing dialogue windows. Note have a pen and paper handy in order to write down the confirmation code as you will need to enter it in the appropriate dialogue window if activation was SUCCESSFUL. If the process was NOT successful, stay on the line and you will be transferred to a human operator to which you can plead your case If you get disconnected, simply phone back but this time say nothing at the automated process where it asks you to enter your key, instead wait the two repeated requests in silence and you will be transferred to a live agent.
Click to expand...
So do I do this with windows 7 or 10? And is it the same process for both? Load on to a USB and boot it from there? And then get the code and call the number?
 
Here is where you can download a legit copy of windows 10 for the system. Do they have the recovery disk for that system? If so then all you should have to is reinstall them and activate. The COA does not expire unless it has been used illegally then Microsoft will just lock it where is can not be used to activate.

Download Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO File). Just follow the on screen instruction. Try using the COA that is on the system and see if it accepts it when it ask for it. You may want to write it down so you have it for easy access.
 
Rustys said:
Here is where you can download a legit copy of windows 10 for the system. Do they have the recovery disk for that system? If so then all you should have to is reinstall them and activate. The COA does not expire unless it has been used illegally then Microsoft will just lock it where is can not be used to activate.

Download Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO File). Just follow the on screen instruction. Try using the COA that is on the system and see if it accepts it when it ask for it. You may want to write it down so you have it for easy access.
Click to expand...
I don't have the disc unfortunately, just the sticker with the license code for an unknown version of windows. I will install windows 10 using the usb drive and try that license code and see. If that doesn't work, where would I purchase a working license code? Are the OEM codes cheaper?
 
Thanks for all the help! I'll try to get it installed and come back with the results.
 
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FreeBooter said:
The computer was original installed Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-Bit, if you have product key for Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit you can activate Windows 10 Pro operating system.
Click to expand...

mbhd said:
I don't have the disc unfortunately, just the sticker with the license code for an unknown version of windows. I will install windows 10 using the usb drive and try that license code and see. If that doesn't work, where would I purchase a working license code? Are the OEM codes cheaper?
Click to expand...

Hmm, you may have a bit of a problem on your hands being that you are dealing with an OEM computer, the Dell Studio XPS 8100 specs vary see here if you contact Microsoft they very well may tell you to contact Dell and purchase Windows 7 recovery media and as the upgrade from 7 to 10 is no longer free you will have to purchase a separate product key for upgrading to Windows 10.

If you have access to a computer that has internet connection I would download a Windows 7 ISO from here and give that a go, more computers shipped with Home Premium than Pro so would try Home Premium first, I prefer burning the ISOs to disk but in this instance USB thumb drive would be best as you may need to download a couple of ISOs if the original OS for the computer was Pro and not Home Premium, saves on a blank DVD if not right first time :)

Please note that after installing Windows 7 you need to upgrade to 10 so that the MB and Windows 7 details are stored on the Microsoft database, this will allow you to do a clean install of Windows 10 in the future without having to re enter your product key.
 
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phillpower2 said:
using either link should avoid you needing to enter the OEM product key before being allowed to download the ISO.
Click to expand...


Yes indeed. :thumbsup:

@mbhd There are also a couple of tools that may be needed as well to make the process a bit smoother for you.

For placing windows on a USB .... ISOtoUSB.
For Placing windows on a DVD.... @ActiveIsoBurner
The links provided in my are going to need a torrent client as well. Bittorrent.

I'd be careful to make sure nothing else is installed with Bittorrnet, they offer a few programs when installing make sure and uncheck those options if you do indeed try and download via torrent. I'd suggest installing Unchecky onto your machine to ensure nothing else is downloaded.

Once you install your copy of windows, you will need your drivers installed. I looked up your machine and the download page for your machines drivers is here. I'd suggest that you start with the Chipset Driver first then go from there.

Also, if you have issues activating, this will extend the time you have....
 
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