Hi guys,

I have one question: Can I use Win7 Pro 64bit installation DVD from HP/DELL to install windows7 onto ThinkPad
I suppose it won't be activated due to slic2.1 conflict but that I can solve later..
What I need to know is if the OS will install in such way
The reason I ask is that Lenovo doesn't provide Win7 installation media.
Thanx for all replies..

Rgds,

No, for a whole host of reasons.

You need to use Microsoft installation media.

Cheers,

Bill B.

Hi Bill ,

I didn't mean in terms of license

What I meant was if the installation even run , if yes what kind of issues appear

Regards,

It depends. I haven't used the recent generations of HP media, so I can't say for sure...

*If* they use standard Microsoft installation methods (Boot to WinPE and deploy a relatively generic WIM vs. some other imaging system) AND
*If* they don't check the BIOS (just had an old HP a1230n fight with me when reinstalling XP MCE because after a BIOS update it didn't recognize it as a legit HP machine) AND
*If* your Thinkpad doesn't need any special drivers (it shouldn't),

Then it *might* work. Issues could include:
- HP's Bloatware
- HP Customization (wallpapers, support images, etc)
- Ghost devices showing up in device manager
- Activation issues (SLIC, as you mentioned, won't match up)

It's not really a great idea, but if that's all you've got there's not really any harm in trying. You'd be better off with the correct media, though. If you hunt around you can probably find an ISO to download (just don't get a hacked/pirated one, that's just asking for trouble).