Reinstall windows for netbook (no cds)

wolfric

So here's the story, got a toshiba netbook. Wiped it and put linux on it. Going to get a new laptop and giving this one away to one of the family members but i want to put back the original windows on it however it didn't come with any cds (probably because no cd drive).

The serial key is on the back so, anyone know of any legal way to get it back? Think it's out of warranty at this stage as well

leviathon

If you have a toshiba cd of the same os you can make a USB boot drive

Few guides here : http://www.bootdisk.com/pendrive.htm

If you don't have a cd you can download the install - that is not illegal in itself provided you use the key you had on the machine.

If you can't find a good download of the o/s I'd say give toshiba a ring - they should be able to send you an install cd which you can then put onto usb (or borrow/buy an external cd drive). They'll probably charge you for it tho

fionny

Normally the way manufacturers do it these days is by having a "recovery" partition which upon first boot prompts the user to create backup dvd's.

When you wiped the disk you may or may not have erased this partition too.

Do you have the model number of the netbook?

If you open the terminal in linux and type "sudo fdisk -l" it will apparently list all partitions on that disk.

chin_grin

You could take an image of another drive and then install it on the laptops one using http://clonezilla.org/.

The only thing is you'll have to change your key.

wolfric

leviathon: It didn't come with a windows install cd. Downloading one IS illegal and more than likely loaded with malware or backdoors. I wouldn't trust it. I'll see if i can ring up toshiba in the mean time.

fionny: Recover partition is definitely gone

chin_grin: I don't think that would work... In any case, i don't have a windows machine to image anyway.

fionny

You could ask if a friend has a legit disc knocking around you could install from using your own license key. Xp discs should be a dime a dozen these days.

burrentech

wolfric wrote: »

So here's the story, got a toshiba netbook. Wiped it and put linux on it. Going to get a new laptop and giving this one away to one of the family members but i want to put back the original windows on it however it didn't come with any cds (probably because no cd drive).

The serial key is on the back so, anyone know of any legal way to get it back? Think it's out of warranty at this stage as well

If you give me a call I can help you out.

myrscossie

I had the same problem but with a msi wind, what i did was took the ide dvd drive out of my PC and used a ide/sata to usb converter cable like this One
and just set the notebook to boot from dvd drive.

eoferrall

wolfric wrote: »

leviathon: It didn't come with a windows install cd. Downloading one IS illegal and more than likely loaded with malware or backdoors. I wouldn't trust it. I'll see if i can ring up toshiba in the mean time.

fionny: Recover partition is definitely gone

chin_grin: I don't think that would work... In any case, i don't have a windows machine to image anyway.

downloading is not illegal - using a cracked serial number to ACTIVATE it is. if you have your own serial number then it is not illegal as it is a legit copy.

The malware etc side of it is another story and a good reason not to unless using a reliable source as above (unlikely for downloading windows!!)

Capt'n Midnight

eoferrall wrote: »

downloading is not illegal

Microsoft don't have XP available for trial so downloading it IS a breach of the license

eoferrall

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Microsoft don't have XP available for trial so downloading it IS a breach of the license

who said XP? but i disagree anyway. you've bought the product, you have the license so whats the problem?

Capt'n Midnight

eoferrall wrote: »

who said XP? but i disagree anyway. you've bought the product, you have the license so whats the problem?

at a guess it's XP, since it isn't a new netbook