[FTLOSM]

I have a dell laptop my sister gave me because the drive died, I can't get anything off it even with a linux disc it's just locked up, there is no windows sticker on the bottom of the unit, and she had not made recovery discs UGH

 

I have plenty of sata drives around but without their product key for windows is there anyway thru the service id tag or anything to get windows back onto this machine without buying another copy of it?

 

I know there are programs i could use to recover the product key via the old drive but i can't even get the drive to boot up externally or via a linux recovery type cd.

 

It's not a super old laptop just that drive died, I was going to replace the drive load windows on it and have the kids use it for simple open office reports and to goof on facebook and whatnot with it.

 

I know I could just load linux on it, but i'd like to get them back into windows, but with a dead drive do I have any options?

 

 

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Hi,

 

Please post the brand and model of the machine.

 

Do you know the Windows version installed on the machine?

[SleepyDude]

Hi,

 

Please post the brand and model of the machine.

 

Do you know the Windows version installed on the machine?

[iammykyl]

Best Answer

Gday FTLOSM.

If it came with W7  pre installed, there may be a sticker somewhere inside the battery compartment.

If window 8 and up OEM  was installed, there is no sticker, the key is embedded in the BIOS/UEFI..

You can replace the drive and clean install an OS but it must the exact version that was originally used.

Providing the above is true, you should not need to enter the key when installing and activation should be automatic.

Just in case this dose not happen, you must try to retrieve the key before doing anything else.

Try this. download the correct bit portable version, > http://rweverything.com/download/

How to, >  https://www.nextofwi...t-key-from-bios

[iammykyl]

Gday.

Been a while since we heard from you.   Please let us know if your issue is solved, or if you need more help.

 

Thanks. 

[FTLOSM]

The sticker was inside the battery compartment!  I downloaded a windows 7 iso online used the serial from the compartment and had to do the call in validation thing but so far its up and running great!  Thanks for the help guys!

[iammykyl]

Thanks, good to get a prompt reply.

Happy everything is going OK.

Your are very welcome