bought used computer, Win7 "not genuine", Win7 product sticker on case

You are correct.  I realized that and tried to follow the instructions but couldn't figure out how to install the console code because Shift+Cnt+K didn't work, but J did bring up the Error Console.  But the code shown where to insert in front appeared nowhere to be seen.  I will try a bit later after I have puzzled on this some.

So you are saying after selecting the correct ISO MS won't then ask for a validation product key to download it?  You have bypassed this and it will download the ISO?

Edited by Fascist Nation, 12 May 2016 - 08:23 PM.

As discussed above, there were problems trying to use the recovery image. I took a different route to "D:" and even though it says its a recovery image, it is in fact empty. I didn't know it was possible to have an empty file but still have an old file name and even info as to file size. Oh well...

Moving on. Stand by.

I have tested this workaround several times and it worked every single time.  Also, Firefox is my browser and Ctrl+Shift+K brings up the console.  You must type allow pasting before you are allowed to paste the code, at least that was my experience.

@Old_Feller, I am afraid I can't help with the error you are getting.  You may have to spend some time searching around to see if others have solved the error.  Either that or follow the procedure I posted to download and install from an ISO.

Agouti

"...scroll down to the section in the article headed “Download Windows 7/8.1 from The Windows 10 Download Page” and follow the instructions there...".

First thing in those directions is instruction to click a link called " Windows 10 Tech Bench page  ... But clicking that takes me to a page called raymondCC ... ( https://www.raymond.cc/blog/download/did/3523/   ). There is a link at raymondcc;  Windows 10 Download Page. I follow that link but from there the only thing I can do is choose win 7 and enter the key, which it rejects because it's for a Big Box manufacturer.

So I am getting lost somewhere. If you can figure out what I'm doing wrong, I'd really be grateful. This is all new to me.

I'm going to call Dell and order the replacement OS, if they'll send me one. But I still was hoping to go through this process and learn what I can.

Edited by Old_Feller, 13 May 2016 - 09:00 AM.

Hi Old_Feller,

Here is a link to the page that the code has to be added to in the browser console

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/techbench

Hope that makes sense, good luck

Hedge

Edit:- Or click on the blue Visit Microsoft Tech Bench webpage at the top of the page on the raymondCC redirect page  (both methods will get you there)  

Edited by hedgeley, 13 May 2016 - 09:23 AM.

First thing in those directions is instruction to click a link called " Windows 10 Tech Bench page  ... But clicking that takes me to a page called raymondCC ... ( https://www.raymond.cc/blog/download/did/3523/   ). There is a link at raymondcc;  Windows 10 Download Page. I follow that link but from there the only thing I can do is choose win 7 and enter the key, which it rejects because it's for a Big Box manufacturer.

Did you click the link that says ~ Visit Microsoft Tech Bench webpage?

[Edit]

As old rocker said, get the 64-bit version of Windows 7.  That's what Dell Support says was on you PC based on your service tag.

Edited by Agouti, 13 May 2016 - 09:36 AM.

old rocker, Agouti

Just spent 30 minutes on the phone with Dell. They wont send me an ISO image. Since I didn't get a receipt for my $20 computer, I can't have it transferred into my name, so I can't even buy a copy from Dell. So basically, to get help from Dell, I have to call the Republican arm of congress and tell them that my name is Clinton Obama and request that they raise taxes on the top .1 %. If they agree, then Dell will help me.

So I'm really hoping I can figure out this stuff that Agouti is trying to show me. Where am I missing what?

Is it too late to get back with the former owner and get a written bill of sale?

Where am I missing what?

After clicking the link quoted from your post below...

... But clicking that takes me to a page called raymondCC ... ( https://www.raymond.cc/blog/download/did/3523/   ).

...click ~ Visit Microsoft Tech Bench webpage on the next page.

Agouti & anyone else that wants to help a green horn.

2. Download the Javascript text file , open it in Notepad and copy the text, then paste it (Ctrl+V) into the console of your browser and press Enter. 

From the instructions: This is the first thing I don't understand. Where is the Javascript text file. I'm on the Tech Bench page, but I not understand where to find the Javascript text file....

Black bar running across the top of Tech Bench page "SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS".... am I supposed to click windows 7 there??

Read More:https://www.raymond.cc/blog/links-for-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-microsofts-official-distributer/

2. Download the Javascript text file , open it in Notepad and copy the text, then paste it (Ctrl+V) into the console of your browser and press Enter. 

 

From the instructions: This is the first thing I don't understand. Where is the Javascript text file. I'm on the Tech Bench page, but I not understand where to find the Javascript text file....

 

If you click on the underlined text in blue that says Javascript text file, it will take you to another page where you will see this...

If you then click on the blue text that says ~ Download Wzor script modified by Raymond.cc a download dialog similar to the following will appear...

You must ensure the Open with Firefox Web Browser (default) option is selected as shown.  When you click the OK button, a new tab should open in your browser with some text.  Press Ctrl + A to select everything, then press Ctrl + C to copy the text to the clipboard.

Note: I am using Firefox in Linux, so the dowload dialog may look slightly different.

Once the text is copied to the clipboard, you can continue following the instructions in the article, to open your browser's Console, etc.

Black bar running across the top of Tech Bench page "SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS".... am I supposed to click windows 7 there??

No.  You have to scroll down the Microsoft Tech Bench page to the following...

Deleted answer to a post that has be removed 

Edited by hedgeley, 14 May 2016 - 08:48 AM.

Agouti

I've made headway. But Hasher Lite does not seem to have a "scale icon" for me to click. I can look at the values, however, and see that they match.

Agouti

Rufus is directing me to go to "Disk Management", but does not tell me where that is. Where is it?

In order to choose the file system you need to first know what kind of disk structure is the target system as well as the boot type. There are two types of disk structures, first is the old MBR(Master Boot Record) and the latter is the more advanced GPT(GUID partition table). To know the type of disk of the target system perform these steps

1. Go to Disk management > Right click on disk 0 > Click on properties > under volume table the partition style is shown

What I really need to know about RUFUS (that is not explained well in the article) is which to choose:

 Partician scheme and target system type

1).  MBR partition scheme for BIOS or UEFI-CSM    or

2).  MBR partition scheme for UEFI

And is 4096 bytes okay for cluster size?

Advanced Options     [Default (3rd option) is checked]

[ ]  List USB hard drives

[ ]  Add fixes for old BIOSes (extra partition, align, etc)

[ /]  Use RUFUS MBR with BIOS ID     [  0 x 80   default   ]

Edited by Old_Feller, 14 May 2016 - 10:10 AM.