Problem after cloning my bootcamp partition

[Omnius]

So, I recently changed the hard drive on my 2007 mac mini because the hard drive was corrupted. I was unable to clone the xp partition because that hard drive was in such rough shape. I then realized, I haven't had the box or cd for XP since about 2007 and that the partition had previously lived so long because of past cloning experience. It would have been a tragedy but...

I have windows 7 on the newer mini. I decided I'd just get windows 7 on my 2007 mini. Unfortunately, the dvd and the usb flash for that are in storage about 500 miles away. So I cloned my partition from my newer mini.

It restored on the newer mini without a hitch. I attempted to boot windows and it was stuck in the error recovery screen. It's my best guess that the drivers need to be changed. However, I can't figure out how to get those installed without the windows 7 dvd/flash drive. I made a dvd with the drivers from bootcamp assistant but I do not see anyway to resolve this issue.

Can anyone help? I'd really rather not spend money for an additional license that I already have or wait a month to travel 500 miles.

 

[Omnius]

is this the unsolvable nightmare scenario?

 

[vistadude]

You can install a fresh copy of windows 7 without cloning. I can't give you the exact link, but search for the iso on My Digital Life. You'll install windows 7 without the key, and you'll have 30 days to obtain your old key (I think there's ways to extend this but I'm not sure). After that you get warnings but windows 7 is useable for an hour or so.

You'll need a blank or rewriteable dvd to burn the iso, or you might be able to use a flash usb disk depending on what version of bootcamp you have access to.

Once you are able to get to your storage, you can type your licensed key.

 

[Omnius]

2 questions.

1) is that okay with the microsoft licensing agreement?

2) is it going to be loaded with bloatware or potential security risks?

 

[vistadude]

Yes, this is fine by microsoft. You're going to download the iso for the version you have at home, for example, download the home version if that's the license key you have.

It will basically run in trial mode until you put you're legally obtained license key in.

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Or download Windows 8 release preview, which will expire in January 2013. Then install windows 7 whenever you can get your disc.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download

 

[Omnius]

the my digital life images, when burned to a dvd or a flash drive, don't act bootable.