Need Computer Help

[stpman]

ok so I had a hard drive crash in my laptop and had to install a new hard drive, when it came time to reinstall Win7 I didn't have an OS disc so I went to Best Buy where I purchased said laptop some time ago. I was told that they don't give a disc with the laptops and I need to go online and get an iso file. speed ahead to now and I'm trying to register the install using the key from the bottom of my laptop from the original install and I'm getting an error telling me it's not a valid windows 7 key!?!?!?

What do I do now? I have 20 days left

 

[Keith Tedford]

With our lap tops, I made up all the backup discs at the beginning in the event that a situation like this should happen. It did. I installed a new hard drive then started feeding the computer the discs as it requested them. It took a few hours but was straight forward. Thank heaven for that because I'm no computer geek.

 

[stpman]

With our lap tops, I made up all the backup discs at the beginning in the event that a situation like this should happen. It did. I installed a new hard drive then started feeding the computer the discs as it requested them. It took a few hours but was straight forward. Thank heaven for that because I'm no computer geek.

too late for that, I'm being told by MS that my key is invalid and I have to call Toshiba Toshiba told me to contact MS to get a new activation key :swear:

 

[Keith Tedford]

Oops! I thought you may have forgotten about the backup discs. These things are frustrating to say the least. Like all the computerized stuff in these newer Corvettes, I'm not comfortable with them and understand very little of what they are doing. Best of luck in getting your computer sorted out.

 

[New C5er]

Stpman, if you download a software, it's free, called Belarc advisor, it will go through and analyze your computer and you will get your win 7 key code plus a lot of a lot other useful info, I have used it just for the key code were i don't have a back up disc. When you have all the info downloaded, make sure you print it all out and put in a safe place in case you ever have a fatal crash.

Belarc Advisor - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Al...
Sorry, I forgot to add that obviously you have to just download the initial Belarc onto a disc from someone else's computer and then load it into your drive and let it extract the key etc. That's what I had done at a computer place when I had no windows disc. They gave me the key for $20 and I was off and running.

 

[Zeeman28a]

Toshiba should have offered you the opportunity to purchase the Recovery CD/DVD's for your laptop.

Microsoft releases 3 different licensing versions of Windows 7, each with their own type of licensing. What you need to find is something called an Windows 7 OEM DVD (sometimes called RTM as well). The key that came with your laptop will work with this version.

The retail version of Windows 7 uses a different type of licensing key, even though they all look the same. The OEM key will not work with it and vice versa. And then there's the enterprise licensing version of Windows with it's own set of keys. Unfortunately, the keys are not interchangeable. You will have to reinstall Windows 7 OEM (either Basic, Home Premium or Professional) for your key to work. There should be a sticker on the bottom of the laptop or hidden under the removable battery that will tell you which version of Windows you need and the key it came with.

Take your laptop into Tiger Direct or Canada Computer. They sell OEM versions of Windows 7 and can probably help you out.

 

[Keith Tedford]

I don't know if this is what you are looking for but our Toshibas have a product key code on the underside of the case.

 

[stpman]

I don't know if this is what you are looking form but our Toshibas have a product key code on the underside of the case.

that key will only work with the original install which I don't have access to looking like I have to buy another copy of Win7 to get a key

 

[stpman]

Toshiba should have offered you the opportunity to purchase the Recovery CD/DVD's for your laptop.

Microsoft releases 3 different licensing versions of Windows 7, each with their own type of licensing. What you need to find is something called an Windows 7 OEM DVD (sometimes called RTM as well). The key that came with your laptop will work with this version.

The retail version of Windows 7 uses a different type of licensing key, even though they all look the same. The OEM key will not work with it and vice versa. And then there's the enterprise licensing version of Windows with it's own set of keys. Unfortunately, the keys are not interchangeable. You will have to reinstall Windows 7 OEM (either Basic, Home Premium or Professional) for your key to work. There should be a sticker on the bottom of the laptop or hidden under the removable battery that will tell you which version of Windows you need and the key it came with.

Take your laptop into Tiger Direct or Canada Computer. They sell OEM versions of Windows 7 and can probably help you out.

Toshiba told me it was a Microsoft issue and wouldn't do anything for me.
the sticker on the bottom says x16-96072 and I cant find the iso file for this version

 

[stpman]

another issue I'm having is I have IE 10 and it keeps clearing my settings and forum logins, where do I change this setting to stop this?

 

[Case75]

another issue I'm having is I have IE 10 and it keeps clearing my settings and forum logins, where do I change this setting to stop this?

In the top right corner of IE 10, click on the tools icon (looks like a gear). Click on internet options. A window opens. Under the General tab, look for browsing history and make sure the box is unchecked beside "delete browsing history on exit".

 

[Zeeman28a]

Toshiba told me it was a Microsoft issue and wouldn't do anything for me.
the sticker on the bottom says x16-96072 and I cant find the iso file for this version

If your laptop came with Windows 7 or XP or Vista, there has to be a microsoft sticker on it with the key. It should look like this.

That sticker has your OEM number on it. You need the Microsoft OEM Windows DVD. Tiger Direct and Canada Computers sell those.

Basic
Home Premium
Pro
Ultimate

The keys are not interchangeable. Whatever your sticker says, that is the OS you need to install.

Tiger Direct and Canada Computers sell these OEM versions of Windows. usually for about $100. If you go to the store with your laptop and explain your situation to the tech, they might just install the OEM version for you with your key for a small fee, or you can buy the correct OEM version yourself and you do the install.

If you go this route, you can then download all the drivers and applications from the Toshiba website and you'll be able to create your own recovery cd's.

You can also call up Toshiba parts and buy the Recovery CD's for your laptop. All they need is the model and serial number so they can send you the correct disks. Recovery CD's usually run about $50.

 

[stpman]

Tiger Direct and Canada Computers sell these OEM versions of Windows. usually for about $100. If you go to the store with your laptop and explain your situation to the tech, they might just install the OEM version for you with your key for a small fee, or you can buy the correct OEM version yourself and you do the install.

Tiger Direct $95 and all fixed up thanks for everyone's help