Windows 7..Netbook...Whoops

Ok, so I tried to dual boot linux mint and win7 starter(Which came on my HP netbook) but I made a horrible mistake. I think I clicked overwrite rather than side by side because win7 is gone now(Even though I set the partitions and everything )
I think it may have something to do with the Linux mint install failing.
Anyway, seeing as my netbook didn't come with a backup USB or CD( NO disk drive)
I was wondering if anyone knew a way to get back my win7 whilst preferably paying little to no money

I don't think my waranty covers external OS's doing damage.
Regards,
Mikiie

 

That was dumb... Isn't the default option to install it side by side? Why did you change it in the first place?

You didn't make one? That's like the first thing you should do when you get a new computer. Guess you could see if the recovery partition is still there. Then you could use that. Otherwise I suppose you could contact the retailer you bought it from and see if you can get them to send you a recovery cd. You can usually get those pretty cheap.

 

I am actually quite sure that I clicked side by side, because It gave me a warning , then the install had some crazy fatal error.
I'm not too sure how i would make a recovery disk, considering this is a netbook, and I don't know if my USB's could hold win7.

I'm currently on ubuntu netbook remix because It's the only thing I can manage to get running on this thing.
I don't think the partition is left, but I'll snoop around.

 

If your Netbook came with the Win 7 install disc, then you can do the install via USB DVD drive as I did (but with Tiny 7).

If you don't have the installation, then I suggest getting Tiny 7 Experience Rev 01 which runs better than regular 7 and takes up less space.

You can't install Tiny7 via USB, as it doesn't have the same structure as a normal Windows Installation disc.

You'll need these cables or something similar in order to hook up your Netbook to an external DVD/CD drive.

That is the method I used for the Tiny 7 install on 4 different netbooks.

 

You can make up a special usb stick to load an OS to them netbooks-but from memory the sticks capacity had to be no bigger than 2gb.That was the case a year ago when I made one up.....

 

Thanks for your help everyone.
I'm still trying to find out how to get it back, but my friend told me I should have a win7 starter product key somewhere, so I've been going through all my papers

 

Is it not stuck onto the underneath of the computer-the last 3 laptops I bought had this sticker....

 

That's the weird thing, all my friends have the sticker on their netbooks, mine doesn't have it, and mind you I bought from a retail store-harvey Norman

 

All the recovery utilities I use like ERD Commander/Spotmau need to be booted up 1st by cd/dvd.That is the problem with them netbooks-no drive.If HP cant help or the recovery partition has been deleted,then your going to need to borrow an external dvd drive. I believe that Windows 7 discs are all the same-its the serial number that determines which items are loaded.

 

If your stuck and you can borrow an external dvd rom,I can give you a link for W7 Ultimate.Theres no need to install slic loader or remove wat

 

Tiny 7 CAN be installed via USB. I found this out a few months ago when my laptop's optical drive crapped out. In fact, I made a thread about it here; http://bit.ly/9Ea6fn .

Also, read this: http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-7vista-from-usb-drive-detailed-100-working-guide/

 

Thanks again to everyone, I'm going to the store tomorrow after school to see if I can sort all of this out.
I'll take a printed copy of the EULA as well
I'll post after and if I'm unsuccessful I'll try some of the alternatives suggested.

 

Ok, I've had it.
The store told me it was HP's problem and couldn't help, and then HP just yabbered on about an external DVD drive and paying for a "recovery disk" dissmissing me every time I asked about the product key.

 

They should just send you a recovery disc for free-thats what PC World done for me.What are they saying about "no sticker".The only plus side for them netbooks is they are small and light.I only bought mines so I can hook it up to my cars obd2 port.I have a spare external hd and dvd-rom,as I knew having no inbuilt dvd could be a future problem

 

lol it's not much of a loss... netbooks come with Windows 7 starter, very limited and what not. If you want windows back invest in a USB Optical drive and request a disk from Microsoft or HP. keep in mind that your license is only for starter edition more than likely. good luck my good man, as drivers tend to be tough to find at times.

 

I have never had trouble finding any driver for any program or Windows OS version I have ever had, except for the oldies...

There are ways of getting around the Windows 7 activation process too.

 

yeah yeah drivers are available everywhere, but HP has this nasty habit of making them unavailable after a matter of three years or so, Netbooks though are usually a little more difficult to find the drivers for because they have recovery partitions in them that are encrypted and hidden from the Windows OS (therefore why post drivers because the recovery partition puts the drivers and other things back in.) Usually the only way to open it is to use the recovery program from within windows or using a certain button combo while attempting to boot or something in the bios.

I have an acer Aspire One that was an early generation (first ones that came with windows and a hard drive) and when I got it I tried to find drivers for the purpose of putting it to professional edition instead of Home. Unfortunately at that time the drivers were not available for it. Worse it wasn't available on the acer site for long after someone gathered them on a blog, but by then I didn't care enough to bother with it.

also those ways around the activation process can cause issues later, especially if you allow the auto updates.