sorry if this isn't the right area to post this, i felt like this was the closest category for my question.
Backstory: I got a computer from my work, bc we deal with CC info they had to clean the system and remove the HD. so my computer doesn't have a hard drive(which isnt nearly as hard to get) and needs an OS. it did have windows 7 professional on it before they cleaned it.
So i'm lost whether i'll be safe getting an OEM copy of windows 7 or not.
Okay, thank you. (Obviously) im a bit of a noob when it comes to computers not bought from a store. The computer is around 5-6 years old would it still work?
Most OEM keys won't be accepted and that's most likely what it is. You can ask for a Windows 7 Pro disc from work from the IT department or get just a disc from a local computer shop without having to buy a whole new copy of Windows since you have a valid license key. Or install Windows 10, it should take both OEM and Retail keys of Windows 7 as a qualifying key.
Since it has an OEM Certificate-Of-Authenticity sticker on it, it should be a factory-brand computer.
What brand name and model name and model number is it?
What country do you live in?
Once we get that computer identified and know where you live, we can find out if a factory restore/system recovery disc kit exists for it.
According to the Computer Surgeons HP Recovery Center site for that model desktop, it originally came with one of these operating systems:
Windows XP Professional 32-bit
Windows 7 Home Basic 64-bit
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Windows 7 Professional 32-bit/64-bit
Since you live in the U.S.A., you can contact them at 1-800-496-6127 and explain your situation.
Hopefully, they can provide you with the reinstall disc kit that you need.
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