Product Key vs. COA

I have just purchased a Emachine EL-1352-01e without a HDD but it does have the COA label still intact.

I wanted to buy Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, that is what was previously installed, from the auction site (didn't know if I could mention names) but the one that I see doesn't have the "Product Key".

My question is: Is the Product Key and the COA the same thing? If not I guess I shouldn't buy that particular piece of software and try to find another that has the product key.

I'm also going to take a hdd out of another computer and put it into the Emachine so that I can install the OS but don't know how to format the drive to ready it for the new installation. If someone could kindly direct me to a link/thread if there is one or some directions I would so appreciate the help.

Thanking you in advance for your time and patience.

 

Do you know if this will work in all cases?

I believe if Windows came with the machine and there is a COA sticker with a product key on it, it's likely an OEM version. I am not sure if you try to install a retail version of Windows and use the OEM product key, that you will be able to activate.

 

It's what the repair trade does all the time, but I believe it only works where the Windows version being installed is the same as the OEM version, including sub-versions like Home Premium/Professional etc.

In the OP's case, with the disk missing, he doesn't have any way of knowing which version the machine had originally so I don't think it's guaranteed to work.

 

A genuine COA states the Windows version and edition on it.

 

Of course! :-o

 

Thank you for your time.

 

Generic Win7 images can be found here:

Home Pre (32bit)
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65732/X15-65732.iso

Home Pre (64bit)

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65733/X15-65733.iso


You will have to do the customization including Service Packs, and the proper drivers but as long as you have a key one of these versions could most likely get you up and running.

 

Thank you for the link. But another Noob question what do you mean by "customization". I understand the part about downloading of the SPs and the proper drivers but the "customization" I'm not sure of.

 

What is the difference in your 64bit link and this one: x17-587977.iso. The reasoning ask is because after downloading your link and burning the image using imgburn I keep getting an error when trying to verify. Thanks again for the help

 

The six digits after X17 denote the model of .iso file. That is, the version and language of the windows install disc.

Try this link, and burn at 1x just to be safe:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/


Also, what type of media are you using? Sometimes a DVD+R, or RW can give you "headaches". I usually use a DVD-R.

As far as "customizing", that means making sure you have all the proper drivers for your hardware, and are up to date with Microsoft.

 

Was using DVD-R at 4x but switched to DVD-RW at 2.5 and it verified. Thanks again.

Another am I right that I need to install the OS before the drivers?

 

Yes.

After install, you can go to Control Panel> Hardware and Sound> Devices and Printers> Device Manager and look for any hardware with a yellow triangle acccented with an exclamation point. The .iso from digital river is SP1, the first disc I specified is not.

You actually do have a better shot at all drivers being installed by Windows with the latest service pack slipstreamed into the OS disc.

 

Thank you all for your patience, help, and understanding.

 

Thank you for the links I now have it installed and ready to go.

 

Glad we could help.

:major