Where can I download Windows 7 to a Dell Inspiron that didn't come with a disk

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:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/find-out-32-or-64-bit

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:\Users\User account name\Downloads)

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://www.imgburn.com/

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

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/977640

====================== 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"

https://support2.microsoft.com/kb/2755139

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:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/contact-support/computer-manufacturers

Tips for fixing common driver problems

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/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:

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customers/activation-centers.aspx

(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

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326851

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

http://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/true-image-comparison/

30 day trial : http://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/pc-backup/

True Image User Guides and documentation:

http://www.acronis.com/en-us/support/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:

http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119

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)

http://www.macrium.com/personal.aspx

Suport: http://www.macrium.com/ticket.aspx

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

I was having problems with my computer and wiped the partitions wanting to try a clean install and I deleted the OS that was pre-installed on my computer.  I have the Service Tag and Product Key but don't know how to get a copy of my Windows 7 Home Premium.  Is there a link where I can download a copy for free by entering either the Product Key or Service Tag?  I have a Dell Inspiron N5110.

Download the corresponding edition of Windows 7 you have a license for from the following link. You can identify the edition on COA sticker attached to your machine, with at bottom or battery compartment (laptop) or top/side if its a desktop computer.

COA Certificate of Authenticity:

http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/content.aspx?pg=coa

What is the Windows Certificate of Authenticity?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-is-the-Windows-Certificate-of-Authenticity

• Windows 7 Home Premium (x86) - 32 bit

• Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) - 64 bit

32 vs 64 bit

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions

Is my PC running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/find-out-32-or-64-bit

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-7

ImgBurn - In addtion to supporting the creation of CD's from .ISO files,
it supports a wide range of other image file formats, and it's free.
(BIN, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, MDS, NRG, PDI and ISO)
http://www.imgburn.com/

http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/G/Burning+ISO+Images+with+ImgBurn

Note: Always use the slowest burn speed (4x or 2x) if offered a choice.

Create a bootable copy on USB Thumb drive:

Once one has the .iso file they may wish to use the Microsoft .iso to USB/DVD tool to create a bootable DVD or USB (requires a blank DVD or USB flash stick of at least 4 GB).

 

Once you have installed it, all you need to do is change the product key located on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA). Lets take a look at how to do that.

Click Start, right click Computer

Click Properties

Scroll down to Windows activation.

You will notice it displays a time until Activation but be completed. Also the Product ID indicates it is using a default key, this is only for the 30 day grace period allowed until you must activate Windows 7.

Click the link, Change product key

Enter the product key located on the COA sticker located at the bottom or (sometimes in the battery compartment of your laptop), you can also find it at the top or side if its a Desktop computer.  It looks something like the following:

Proceed to enter the product key and click Next

Wait while Windows attempts to activate.

If all goes well, within a minute, you should see this screen.

You can further confirm Windows 7 is activated by checking the Windows Activation status:

Notice Windows 7 now displays OEM within the Product ID to indicate the product channel it is licensed from. Please note, this also works with Windows Vista if you are still running that version.

If you are unable to activate Windows 7 using the Change product key method, you can try phone activation and speak with a call agent who will assist with reactivating Windows 7:

How to activate Windows 7 manually (activate by phone)
 
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 with activation.
 
6) Explain your problem clearly to the support person.
 
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

Resources:

COA Certificate of Authenticity:
http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/content.aspx?pg=coa

What is the Windows Certificate of Authenticity?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-is-the-Windows-Certificate-of-Authenticity

Manufacturer drivers: Dell

http://notebooks.com/2011/06/10/how-to-install-update-and-troubleshoot-hardware-in-windows-7/

Install Windows Updates:

Avoid installing a combination of Microsoft Windows and Office updates at the same time. Also, try installing the small updates first. Avoid installing things like .NET Framework and SQL Express Updates.

Restart each time you install the updates (its a chore, but it guarantees a more reliable experience). Try starting out with Microsoft Office Updates for programs such as (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Another thing, try downloading the updates then install them. When prompted to restart, disconnect from the Internet and restart your computer.

Proceed with installing the additional updates.

If the computer continues to become non-responsive, try the following:

　

You can reset Windows Update components by running the Fixit on this page. But, if there's malware present, it will continue to reset the connection to the update servers:

How do I reset Windows Update components

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Suggest you download and save the Fixit. Then configure the system to Clean boot prior to running it:

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista/Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Once the Fixit has been downloaded and the system booted to the Clean state, check to see that the native Windows firewall is now On if a 3rd party firewall was being used previously. Now run the Fixit and choose the Default mode. Restart once it's done and see if the system can connect to the update servers. If it can not, then run the Fixit again and choose the Aggressive mode. Restart when it's finished running and check for updates.

I suggest before shutting down and installing any updates, disconnect from the Internet first.

To avoid having to do this again, create a system image:

http://www.notebooks.com/2009/10/24/how-to-backup-your-installation-of-windows-7/

Thanks for the replies.  That's a lot of steps for someone that doesn't know much about computers.  :-)  Maybe I should supply a little more info before I tackle the suggested answers.  My Dell Inspiron quit working over a year ago and I took it to a local computer shop and they thought the Motherboard was bad.  I stuck it in the closet and forgot about it.  Then about a month ago I decided to take it back to the computer shop and have it wiped so I could try selling it to someone that wanted to fix it.  When I brought it home and turned it on it seemed to want to work but had a Boot Manager missing message at which point I ran my recovery disks.  I don't really remember what happened after that and what all I tried but I decided to do a clean install following a walkthrough on pcsupport and use a windows 7 cd I had for another computer.  I thought I could see if that fixed my problems then run the recovery disk and have the windows 7 that came with this computer back.  WRONG, no OS on the recovery disk, dumb me.  Now I have an illegal copy on this machine and just want the one that it is licensed for back!

Two choices:

1) Go to Dell's support site and order recovery media and use it to re-install Windows. It should have the drivers built in and may not need activation, at worst all you should need to do is enter the product key from the COA / Sticker on your computer.

2) If the illegal version currently installed on your PC is the same version (Home Premium) you can simply change the product key as follows:

Step by Step:
Click on the Windows 7 Start Button
Go to All Programs/Accessories
Next right on Command Prompt and select “Run as Administrator” from the menu.
Now type following at the command prompt:
slmgr.vbs  -ipk  XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX  (where XXXXX-XXXXX-... is your key)
Finally activate windows after changing the key, at the command prompt:  slmgr.vbs  -ato

If activation still does not work try the following:

How to activate Windows 7 or Vista manually (activate by phone)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

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.

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

Thanks JW, it is the same Home Premium version so I will try changing the product key later this afternoon when I have some time.  That sounds easier!

Thanks JW, it is the same Home Premium version so I will try changing the product key later this afternoon when I have some time.  That sounds easier!

Just change the product key using the following instructions:

Click Start, right click Computer

Click Properties

Scroll down to Windows activation.

You will notice it displays a time until Activation but be completed. Also the Product ID indicates it is using a default key, this is only for the 30 day grace period allowed until you must activate Windows 7.

Click the link, Change product key

Enter the product key located on the COA sticker located at the bottom or (sometimes in the battery compartment of your laptop), you can also find it at the top or side if its a Desktop computer.  It looks something like the following:

Proceed to enter the product key and click Next

Wait while Windows attempts to activate.

If all goes well, within a minute, you should see this screen.

You can further confirm Windows 7 is activated by checking the Windows Activation status:

Notice Windows 7 now displays OEM within the Product ID to indicate the product channel it is licensed from. Please note, this also works with Windows Vista if you are still running that version.

Thanks so much!  That was easy and solved that problem.

You're welcome

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

J W Stuart, I have found 3 issues so far that I haven't been able to correct and thought I would see if you could help with those.  The first thing I noticed is when I turn on the computer it stalls at the windows start screen, I can click on any key and it will then boot and operate.  My Control c and Control V does not work.  Also, I went to this link (https://smartsource.dell.com/Web/Welcome.aspx?ReturnUrl=/Web/Login.aspx) to download software that I guess came with my computer and I get a message something like this when I tried to download:  (Unhandled exception has occurred in your application.  The communication object, System.Service Model Channels.ServiceChannel, cannot be used for communication because it is in the Faulted state.) Not sure I really need any of those downloads, but thought they may have been what made my original windows screen prettier.  :-)  I had already installed drivers, probably in alphabetical order, before I had your info regarding the order and how this should be done so I don't know if this causes any of my problems or if I could have problems with the Motherboard as the guy at our local computer shop thought when the computer didn't work at all.  Thanks again for your help with the windows product key change and making that so simple!

Two things you can do as  starting point.

1) Open 'Device Manager' and see if there any yellow question marks, if there is it means that one or more drivers may not have been installed or are malfunctioning.

2) Run Memtest86+ from a bootable CD to verify your computer's memory is OK.

This runs from a boot disk or CD and should eliminate or confirm if one or more of your memory

sticks are bad or the SPD values in the BIOS are correct.

Let it run for as long as you can: 2,4,6,8 or more hours (at least 3 full passes), if no errors by then your ram is OK.

http://www.memtest.org/

Memtest86+ Guide/How To's (use the .ISO to create a bootable CD)

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409152

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com