Could you help me?

Could you help me? I've got a HP Pavilion dv7 and unfortunately it didn't come with the Windows 7 Installation DVD.
I've been searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem:

I recently tried to downgrade from Windows Media Player 12 to WMP11, because I wasn't really comfortable with the layout in WMP12. So I went searching for a way to downgrade to WMP11 in Windows 7. I followed most of the steps that were involved in uninstalling WMP12, which included taking ownership of WMP program files and hacking into my directory to delete the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Setup\Installed Versions" key.
But unfortunately, my attempts to downgrade to WMP11 failed and I ended up corrupting my WMP. I also tried another solution that recommended that I Turn Windows Features On/Off. But that also didn't work.

So I wounded up here. My main point is, it seems that repair install would help my problem but I don't have the installation DVD or product key to run the process. Is there a way to run this without a DVD, or could I burn it from somewhere?

Or would there be another, quicker solution? I've done System Restore once before but that didn't seem to make any changes. Or maybe I should try it again and restore to an earlier point?
I'm so confused.

Any help you be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Claudia


P.S. I found another person with the same problem: I hate WMP12...Please help me go back to WMP11

If your key isn't on COA sticker on machine, audit it from the HD now using Belarc Advisor. Belarc Advisor - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com That key should be safeguarded like a Bank Account number.

You can find or borrow any Win7 retail installer to extract ISO using ImgBurn then unlock all versions to Repair Install your version: Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

Before trying Repair Install, I would follow Rich's advice to SysRestore using DVD or Repair CD if necessary: System Restore

It also is worth trying SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

This is another of hundreds of examples we see of tweaking messing up Win7. It is too lean of an OS to stand such tweaking beyond normal System settings.

zoogoesrawr said:

Could you help me? I've got a HP Pavilion dv7 and unfortunately it didn't come with the Windows 7 Installation DVD.
I've been searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem:

I recently tried to downgrade from Windows Media Player 12 to WMP11, because I wasn't really comfortable with the layout in WMP12. So I went searching for a way to downgrade to WMP11 in Windows 7. I followed most of the steps that were involved in uninstalling WMP12, which included taking ownership of WMP program files and hacking into my directory to delete the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Setup\Installed Versions" key.
But unfortunately, my attempts to downgrade to WMP11 failed and I ended up corrupting my WMP. I also tried another solution that recommended that I Turn Windows Features On/Off. But that also didn't work.

So I wounded up here. My main point is, it seems that repair install would help my problem but I don't have the installation DVD or product key to run the process. Is there a way to run this without a DVD, or could I burn it from somewhere?

Or would there be another, quicker solution? I've done System Restore once before but that didn't seem to make any changes. Or maybe I should try it again and restore to an earlier point?
I'm so confused.

Any help you be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Claudia


P.S. I found another person with the same problem: I hate WMP12...Please help me go back to WMP11

HP Recovery is not done by disk. It is a Recovery partition on the hard drive. There is an F* key that you press before windows starts that will allow you to run the recovery process....just look at the screen when you turn it on and it will tell you.

I rely on system images for disaster recovery. Once you get the current situation sorted, I'd recommend making system images using the inbuilt Windows imaging and / or a 3rd party program (eg. Macrium free). It would have really helped in your current situation.