Yesterday Was Fix Lawman Jr.'s Computer Day

repair shop wanted way more than I was willing to pay

[lawman]

A little over 3 years ago I bought a laptop that was cutting edge at the time (Dell 7520). Matt used it ever since. Late last year the hard drive crashed. Matt's been using a lesser laptop since then. I decided to fix it myself. I either did not receive or could not find the Windows 7 installation disc. Called Dell and they sent one out ($20 since it was out of warranty).

In the meantime I ordered a 7200 rpm HD to replace the 5400 rpm crashed drive (computer has SATA III so it is fast enough to handle the faster drive).

Monday evening I set about putting the darned thing together. Install hard drive - check. Put Windows 7 installation disc in optical drive - check. Hit power key and hit F12 at splash screen to set optical drive as boot drive - check. Nothing.

Naturally I assumed I had a hard drive DOA. Went to diagnostics. Hard drive checked out fine. But the optical drive showed a spindle error. Hmmm - didn't have an extra optical drive laying around so I slept on it.

Yesterday I woke up and decided to download Windows 10 to a flash drive. Plugged the flash drive in and it began the installation process. It asked for key code, which I already retrieved from under the battery. It said the code was no good, but it allowed me to install without the code. Installation went without a hitch and we now have a clean install of Windows 10 on a brand new hard drive. And when I checked, Windows said it was activated. Okay with me.

You know the rest - it took way longer to do the updates and reinstall security software than it took to install Windows 10.

My security includes Norton Security, HitmanProAlert/HitmanPro, and Malware Bytes. I like all three, but for what it does and how it does it, I really like HitmanProAlert. Coupled with HitmanPro this is one mighty fine program.

BTW, new optical drive is on order.

[Hoople]

A second alternative was to 'burn' the Windows 10 ISO image to a USB drive and boot from that. Personally I would make one regardless as a 'off line' repair file source. My justification - a lot of virus infection I see seem to disable the WiFi network adapter. If the laptop has no other network connection this (or a USB network adapter) would be needed otherwise.

It's been a LONG time since Peter Norton actually ran that company. Other products perform equally well and many times better with a LOT less of a resource hit. A common thread of virus getting thru [despite 'protection' existing] too based on many slow/no network machines handed to me at work <G>

[lawman]

Whew, I'm just glad to have the darned thing done. Made a system image and repair disk.

[martinibuster]

Norton Security

I would never ever use Norton. Way intrusive, incessantly butting into what I'm doing and a resource hog. First thing I do when fixing computers for family is remove Norton and install MalwareBytes Pro. The pro version is all you'll ever need. It's served me well for years.

[lawman]

I have Malwarebytes Premium. Wouldn't go anywhere without it. Been using Norton Security for years and haven't noticed it butting in. Maybe it's the way I have it set up. I love HitManProAlert. It does a lot for a little (exploit mitigation (MWBM sells a separate app for this), browser protection, cryptoguard, keystroke encryption, webcam notifier, and a bunch of other stuff. Last year I got a 3 computer license for 3 years for $75. The price also covered HitmanPro. The company just got bought out so I don't know the pricing structure now.

[J_RaD]

for making bootable USB keys use Rufus
For windows 10 ms has a media creation tool that will give you a bootable win10 install USB as well.

Of course it told you the code was no good, you entered a windows 7 key into a windows 10 install... does not compute.

But a clean install 10 activating with no prior activation on a win 8.1/ 7 upgrade install.......you are very lucky. It should have failed.

[J_RaD]

I would never ever use Norton. Way intrusive, incessantly butting into what I'm doing and a resource hog. First thing I do when fixing computers for family is remove Norton and install MalwareBytes Pro. The pro version is all you'll ever need. It's served me well for years.

ditto, Norton ugh REMOVE! MS security essentials is good enough, which now comes stock out of the box with every windows install... pair that up with malwarebytes and if you wish a decent adblocker and you are good to go.

Even the nice A/V you used 5 or so years ago is now bloat crap

[lawman]

Hello J RaD. As usual I didn't make myself clear. I did use the media creation tool and installed from a USB. This original Windows 7 OS had been converted to Windows 10 prior to the HD crash. Apparently MS servers recognized my system. Either that or, as you said, I am very lucky. I haven't won the lottery but, looking back, I've been lucky all my life. :)

[Andy Langton]

. Apparently MS servers recognized my system. Either that or, as you said, I am very lucky.

I believe they take a "hardware signature" when you first install Windows 10 which will maintain the activation. Some newer PCs have the key embedded in the BIOS also (there's no product key sticker on those ones).

[J_RaD]

Hello J RaD. As usual I didn't make myself clear. I did use the media creation tool and installed from a USB. This original Windows 7 OS had been converted to Windows 10 prior to the HD crash. Apparently MS servers recognized my system. Either that or, as you said, I am very lucky. I haven't won the lottery but, looking back, I've been lucky all my life. :)

OHHHH ok, nope it did exactly what it should have done!

And yes andy, it takes a hardware signature from your motherboard. You load up a new copy, skip the key, once you are online it checks your mobo ID and good to go.