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Clearing Hard Drive and Installing windows.
So, I took my hard drive from an HP and put it in my Alienware after my alienware hard drive broke on me. However, the recovery process I went through put windows 7 back on my hard drive but for HP. And now it's telling me my copy of windows is not Genuine. I don't have codes, nor do I have the original disks that came with the Android computer. So, my question is:
How do I erase the hard drive completely and install windows. AND, can I install windows 8 on it instead of 7, which was its original OS? If so, How do I go about doing this? Thank you to all who assist!!
Okay, so, I just found out that my windows key is on the bottom of my Alienware computer itself. If I just download windows 7 myself off of someone else's Dell and save to a DVD-R, use to boot my computer and reinstall windows, will I be able to just use that key to verify its genuine?
Forum member natakuc4 has a very helpful document on restoring Windows, found here: A Clean Install of Windows. In addition to details on installation procedure, he provides hints on acquiring installation media. Dell also provides a page of links to restoration procedures, found here: Restoring or Reinstalling Windows on a Dell.
With regard to creation of a recovery disk, it has become difficult to keep up with the procedures. The last one I created was from a Studio XPS 435T/9000, and used something called Data Safe Local. If you have a friend who has a machine sufficiently similar to your own, you might be able to create a recovery disk set that works on your computer. His machine would need to be the same model as your own, and be licensed for the same version of Windows.
jackshack
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Posted January 31st, 2013 13:00
From your description of the problem, you have restored the HP version of Windows on your Alienware computer. Of course the system reports that Windows is not genuine because the OEM versions are keyed to the computer with which they were delivered and are not transferable.
In order to use the hard drive from your HP computer in your Alienware computer, you need to have Windows installation media that was sent with your Alienware machine, or have a commercial version that you purchased. If you can't find the disks that were originally delivered with your Alienware, you can contact Tech Support and request a replacement. If your machine is still under warranty they may send you the disk at no charge. Otherwise there will likely be a fee. Once you have the installation media you will need to delete all existing partitions on the hard drive and reinstall.