So, I have linux installed on my laptop, and I want to fucking get rid of it cause it sucks.
The laptop came with windows 7, but my dad completely destroyed it with viruses to the point where it wouldn't even start up, and I was about to start an internship where I would be using linux a lot, so I figured two birds with one stone: working computer and practice with linux.
But I'm tired of shitty linux and want to go back to windows 7, or vista or xp, I don't care. Preferably not vista. The problem is, I don't have the installation disc for windows 7 and I really don't want to pay $200 for a new copy.
What do? Am I fucked?

At 4/26/12 11:32 PM, Squidbit wrote: So, I have linux installed on my laptop, and I want to fucking get rid of it cause it sucks.
The laptop came with windows 7, but my dad completely destroyed it with viruses to the point where it wouldn't even start up, and I was about to start an internship where I would be using linux a lot, so I figured two birds with one stone: working computer and practice with linux.
But I'm tired of shitty linux and want to go back to windows 7, or vista or xp, I don't care. Preferably not vista. The problem is, I don't have the installation disc for windows 7 and I really don't want to pay $200 for a new copy.
What do? Am I fucked?

if you have your windows product key..... you could illegally download a copy of windows, then activate it with your genuine product key and have a 100% legal and genuine copy of windows.

At 4/26/12 11:36 PM, Raab wrote: if you have your windows product key..... you could illegally download a copy of windows, then activate it with your genuine product key and have a 100% legal and genuine copy of windows.

I don't

At 4/26/12 11:43 PM, bgraybr wrote: Woah, must've been thinking of something else sorry. Around $80 at cheapest

Still cheaper than buying 7 new...

I recently got told that Micro isn't giving out future XP keys.

Windows OS isn't cheap, I mean you could keep installing the trial for free but that sounds like a nightmare. If you're stuck with Linux at least use Ubuntu or Mint otherwise you might be able to just reinstall windows and use the same key with a word to tech support.

Just go back to XP.

Linux does not suck.

Most laptops have a OEM key on the bottom of them. If it wore off that sucks, the best you probably could do (legally of course) is get a student discount at about $30-60. Best of luck to you, and if there is an OEM key on the bottom, just be sure to match it with the proper version of windows that you find online!

At 4/26/12 11:51 PM, ScrewdriverClock wrote: Most laptops have a OEM key on the bottom of them. If it wore off that sucks, the best you probably could do (legally of course) is get a student discount at about $30-60. Best of luck to you, and if there is an OEM key on the bottom, just be sure to match it with the proper version of windows that you find online!

I went to look for the OEM key, didn't see anything, but there was a little sticker with a microsoft product key on the bottom, is that what I would use to reinstall the OS it came with?
I thought the product key would be somewhere with the CD, didn't think it would be stuck under the actual laptop.

At 4/26/12 11:50 PM, bgraybr wrote: Why would the Linux distro make a difference in whether or not you can reinstall Windows or not...? Should have deactivated it and kept the security key.

I've never messed with an OS that I paid money for, If it's the same machine then it should be all fine right?

1) What version of Linux are you using?
2) Why do you not like it?
3) Might a different version of Linux resolve the issue?

At 4/26/12 11:58 PM, bgraybr wrote: At 4/26/12 11:58 PM, Squidbit wrote

I went to look for the OEM key, didn't see anything, but there was a little sticker with a microsoft product key on the bottom, is that what I would use to reinstall the OS it came with?

That is the OEM key. So yes.

Alright, so uhh... What do I do with that?

At 4/27/12 12:00 AM, Dawnslayer wrote: 1) What version of Linux are you using?

Ubuntu

2) Why do you not like it?

Because it's fucking obnoxious. I'm tired of googling "____ for linux" whenever I want to download something. And then ridiculous installation processes.

3) Might a different version of Linux resolve the issue?

No I seriously doubt that.

At 4/27/12 12:01 AM, Squidbit wrote: Alright, so uhh... What do I do with that?

Get the trial of or otherwise obtain the version of Windows you used to have installed... and then activate it with the OEM key. Same machine, it should work.

bgraybr's alt btw

At 4/27/12 12:04 AM, DickChick wrote:

At 4/27/12 12:01 AM, Squidbit wrote: Alright, so uhh... What do I do with that?

Get the trial of or otherwise obtain the version of Windows you used to have installed... and then activate it with the OEM key. Same machine, it should work.

bgraybr's alt btw

Awesome, I'll go try that and hope it works.
TomFulp's alt, btw

How long do you think you will have the laptop? XP will be obsolete in 2014.

At 4/27/12 12:27 AM, J-Rex wrote: How long do you think you will have the laptop? XP will be obsolete in 2014.

Haha XP wasn't even a real version, it's 5.5, it was more or less a patched and aesthetically upgraded 2000. I must have used that OS for eight years mind.

Ubuntu is a very Distro to use. Just install everything through the software center. There's really no need to "Google" everything.

Anyway, to answer your question, go get the Official Windows 7 iso from Microsoft. You then after thirty days to either buy a key to activate it, or use alternative methods of activation. Keep in mind that after the thirty days, even if it is not active, you can still use it with all functionality in tact. Your just going to have an annoying little pop up that it is not genuine. Anyway, I have you do try to use Linux again. You don't have to uninstall Windows to use it, you can just dual-boot. That's what I do.