I need advice whether or not to do a fresh install of windows

I notice that you edited your OP to remove the part about your friend installing a cracked version of Win7. Have you already replaced it?

sorry for the long respond time.. I have not yet because it's working thus far. Its always been activated though so I'm sure I've probably caused any issues in my tinkering. But would a w7 pro disk work to do a repair install for 7 ultimate? I'm guessing it would check the integrity of all the core files and then repair/replace whatever is messed up

You need to Clean Reinstall to get rid of the cracked version your friend installed, then activate with the Product Key you already own on COA sticker.

Follow the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to get a perfect install, then stick only with the tools and methods given to keep it that way - backed up with a Win7 backup image so you never have to reinstall again.

How would I go about restoring from a backup from a network drive? The pc is automatically backed up to a WD mybook live

What imaging program was used to store the image on the network?

Why are you opposed to getting the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. You certainly need it if the image is of the bloated factory preinstall.

It was just done using the backup feature within windows and I'm not opposed to a clean install, I have a genuine iso from Dreamspark but my parents use the pc now and if I do do a clean install, I just want to be sure all of their Stuff is replaced to make my life easy. And I quickly glanced at something that said a restore from a backup doesn't work on a network drive which is why I'm hesitant if the machine is working without any serious issues. And on a side note the cracked copy was a non bloated version

Use the latest official ISO in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

The tutorial explains how to back up everything in detail so you don't have to worry anything was left out. But if you want to be sure save a Win7 backup image as it can later be browsed for any files, as can the image you have on the network.

If you used Win7 backup imaging to save the image to the network then you should be able to detect it when you boot into the Win7 DVD or REpair CD following the steps for System Image Recovery. You can check now.

If I install windows 7 pro over ultimate, doesn't it create a windows.old folder with all the user profile docs in it?

Not if you correctly boot the installer to Clean Install Windows 7.

Use the tools in Steps 6/7 to delete all partitions, create and format New as you wish before installing to first partit- ignore the 100mb boot partition installer will create.

I'll keep that guide handy. Again my only reluctance is that my parents are the only ones who use the machine and I don't want to lose anything important in the process. Do you think the event viewer would have anything worth while that could root out an issue without having to just wipe everything?