Oct 03, 2013 Download Official Windows 7 ISO images from Microsoft: Few days back, a friend of mine Accidentally broke his original windows 7 Installation Disk and unfortunately he had not bothered to create a backup copy of his windows 7 Disk beforehand. So i had to lend him the Original copy of Windows 7 disk. However if something similar happens with you and you cannot source out a windows.
Here are the Digital River links:
How to create your own installation DVD, Install Windows, install the device drivers, install the Windows Updates, Activation and Backup your drive.
1) Download the appropriate Windows 7 .ISO file which includes Service Pack 1
(Note: must match what your product key version is for)
How to find out if I have a 32 or 64Bit version of Windows installed on my computer:
Windows 7 Home Premium 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58996.iso
SHA1 Hash value: 6071b4553fcf0ea53d589a846b5ae76743dd68fc
Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso
SHA1 Hash value: 6c9058389c1e2e5122b7c933275f963edf1c07b9
Windows 7 Professional 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59183.iso
SHA1 Hash value: d89937df3a9bc2ec1a1486195fd308cd3dade928
Windows 7 Professional 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59186.iso
SHA1 Hash value: 0bcfc54019ea175b1ee51f6d2b207a3d14dd2b58
Windows 7 Ultimate 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59463.iso
SHA1 Hash value: 65fce0f445d9bf7e78e43f17e441e08c63722657
Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59465.iso
SHA1 Hash value: 36ae90defbad9d9539e649b193ae573b77a71c83
2) After downloading the correct .iso file install HashCalc and validate the SHA1 hash value is correct.
HashCalc: http://www.slavasoft.com/hashcalc/index.htm
(Note: If the download is not corrupt, the value HashCalc returns will match the SHA1 value I posted)
a) Launch HashCalc and navigate to the location of the .iso file you downloaded.
(The default download location is: C:UsersUser account nameDownloads)
b) Remove all check marks from the list of HashCalc options except for SHA1.
c) Click the ‘Calculate’ button and wait for the SHA1 string of letters and number to be displayed.
3) Next use ImgBurn (or Gear ISO) to create a bootable DVD.
ImgBurn: http://download.cnet.com/ImgBurn/3000-2646_4-10847481.html
Note: Choose the 'Custom Installation (advanced)' option and remove the check mark(s) to eliminate unwanted options.
Note: Skip to step #4 to create a bootable Flash / Thumb drive.
ImgBurn screen shots to help you use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=screenshots
Burning ISO Images with ImgBurn article: http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/G/Burning+ISO+Images+with+ImgBurn
(The steps are the same for Windows 7 or Windows 8), except you are not creating a Repair disc but a full installation DVD)
Note: Always use high quality DVD+R media and the slowest burn speed (4x or 6x) if offered a choice.
4) For instructions on creating a bootable USB Flash drive to install Windows 7:
Read: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html
Or: http://arstechnica.com/business/2009/12/the-usb-flash-drive/
Optional software to create a Bootable Windows 7 DVD
Keyless Install
How to perform a 'Keyless Install' of Windows:
Boot from the Windows 7 DVD disc or USB flash drive you created and start the installation process.
Note: If this message pops up, read the following:
'A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing' or 'A media driver your computer needs is missing'
This issue occurs for one of the following reasons:
•The installation DVD is removed during the setup process.
•A low-quality DVD was used to create the installation DVD.
•The speed at which the installation DVD was burned was too fast.
•The DVD drive cannot read the media.
•The ISO file is corrupted.
After you enter user name and password you will be asked to:
'Type your Windows product key', do not enter a key.
Also located just below the box where you would enter the key is a box with a check mark
to 'Automatically activate Windows when I am online', remove the check mark and click 'Next'.
You will now have a 30 day grace period in which to activate Windows.
During the grace period you can install your device drivers,
run Windows Updates and resolve any other problems or issues.
Once you are satisfied everything is functioning properly, then activate Windows.
Device Drivers
Go to your computer manufacture's support web site and check for Windows 7 drivers for your specific model number.
If there are Windows 7 drivers, then download to a folder on your hard drive and install all of them, starting with the Motherboard/chipset drivers, SATA, LAN, Audio, USB, Graphics, Webcam, Etc., and so on.
List of Computer Manufacturer's support sites:
Tips for fixing common driver problems
Vista: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Tips-for-fixing-common-driver-problems
Graphics/Video drivers:
Check the Graphics card manufacture's download site for the most recent Windows 7 drivers for your card.
ATI: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx
NVIDIA: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index5.aspx?lang=en-us
Run Windows Update
Install the 'Important' updates that are available.
Do a small group (10 updates max at a time) of updates at a time,
reboot if prompted and install another small group of updates and so on,
saving any .NET Framework updates for last.
How to Activate Windows 7 by Internet
1) Click Start and in the Search box type: Activate
2) Click on the 'Activate Windows' option at the top of the list
3) Click on 'Activate Windows online now'
4) Enter your 25 character product key (not case sensitive)
5) Click 'Next' and wait for the key to be verified.
Alternate Method - Reaching a real person:
1) Click Start, and in the Search box type: slui.exe 4
2) Next press the 'ENTER' key
3) Select your 'Country' from the list.
4) Choose the 'Phone Activation' option.
5) Stay on the phone *** do not select/press any options *** and wait for a person to help you.
6) Explain your problem clearly to the support person.
7) The support person should give you a confirmation ID, copy it down on paper,
8) Verify the ID is correct by reading back to the support person.
9) Enter the ID number and click 'Next' to finish the activation process.
Microsoft Activation Centers Worldwide Telephone Numbers:
(This site is for Volume License Activation but if you call they will help you)
The phone number you called does not work:
Microsoft Worldwide contacts: http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/default.aspx
Activation and registration of a Microsoft product
Windows activation: (888) 571-2048
Create an Image Backup to protect your time and investment
EaseUS Todo Backup Home V7.0 http://www.todo-backup.com/
Free version: http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm
Version comparison chart: http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/comparison.htm
User's Guide: http://www.todo-backup.com/download/docs/User_Guide.pdf
Includes: Incremental backup, Disk/partition clone
(Note: Install Todo and then create an 'Emergency Disk' before you start creating your first image backup)
Version 7.0 supports XP, Vista, Windows 7, 8 and 8.1
Acronis True Image 2015 - has a 30 day trial version available, trial Key sent to your Email Address.
Note: Cloning and drive initialization (creating a MBR) are not supported in the trial version.
For the trial version, recovery is available only when booting from an Acronis Bootable Media CD.
Install Acronis and then create a bootable Restore/Rescue Media CD before you start creating your first image backup
30 day trial : http://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/pc-backup/
True Image User Guides and documentation:
2014 supports XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1
Note: For users who have a Western Digital disk drive there is a free version of Acronis 2013:
Release notes: http://support.wdc.com/download/notes/ATI_WD_RN_5962.pdf
Users Guide for WD Version:
http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119&type=userguide&wdc_lang=en
Paragon
Free version: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/
User'sGuide: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/download.html
Home Version $39.95: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/brh/
Support: http://www.paragon-software.com/support/
Macrium Reflect Free
Free version: http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx
(no technical support available for the free version)
Macrum Reflect Standard ($49.99)
Suport: http://www.macrium.com/ticket.aspx
J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com
%2BMay%2B2014.png "Iso")