Is a COA key required with Recovery Discs

dosbirn

I'm working on an Aspire 5336-2524 that had serious malware/virus issues (possibly hardware also).  I've been told by Microsoft that an illegal copy of Windows 7 Ultimate is installed.  This is a friend's laptop who purchased it from somone on Craigslist so she knows nothing about what has been installed, nor does she have any discs.  Also the Microsoft COA sticker has been removed from the bottom of the laptop.

 

Alt F10 doesn't bring up the installed Acer recovery system so I need to know if I purchase the $20.00 recovery discs, is the Microsoft COA key required? 

 

If this means anything, when the original owner installed Win 7 Ultimate, it looks like a copy of the old OS may be there in a WINDOWS.OLD folder? 

 

Thanks for any help.

 

laurent_14

Hello,

 

The original OS is Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

If I purchase the $20.00 recovery discs, is the Microsoft COA key required?:

Yes, you need the original MS COA which has been removed in all cases (Alt F10 or eRecovery).

Unfortunately, you have to buy a new MS liscense.

dosbirn

Thanks for the info, Laurent!