Reinstalling Windows 7

tbmcl · 19 Mar 2011

I bought a new Dell computer a little over a year ago it came with Windows 7 64 bit installed. Now I want to install Windows 7 sp1 but I keep getting an error (0x80004005). Last week I spent nearly 5 hours on the phone with Microsoft Support and the only thing they could say is that I have files that are corrupted and I need to reinstall my original Dell disk. Of course I only have an OEM Windows 7 Factory disk which can only be used for a clean install. My problem is I don’t have the time or the desire to go thru the process of reinstalling all my programs for which some probably have been installed to their limits set by Microsoft such as Visual Studio, Microsoft Streets & Trips and Microsoft Office. I know that if I beg loud enough I may be blest with one more install.

What I am asking if I purchase a new Windows 7 Home Premium software package will it install as an update over my factory installed software and leave all my programs intact. And what about the original Key being different from the new Key? And what about Windows legitimacy (Genuine Windows) test?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Golden · 19 Mar 2011

Hi,

That error code usually indicates a problems in communicating with the Microsoft server/s. Can you tell us about your ISP and firewall? What sort of anti-malware software do you have resident?

Can you fill out your system specs too please, and tell us what sort of Windows 7 you have at the moment (Pro, Starter etc.)

Regards,
Golden

gregrocker · 19 Mar 2011

Why would you buy another copy of Win7 - you already own a license on that machine for life.

If you don't want to clean reinstall with the Dell OEM Installation DVD (which aren't provided any longer, a very valuable tool there which gives the best possible install), or run Dell full Factory Recovery, then from the desktop run a Win7 Repair Install which will reinstall the OS while keeping all programs, files and settings in place. You should still back up your files at all times, however.

tbmcl · 19 Mar 2011

Golden;

IPS = Comcast
Firewall = Windows Firewall
Anti-Malware = Microsoft Security Essentials
Windows 7 Home Premium

I hope this answers your questions.

tom

tbmcl · 19 Mar 2011

Gregrocker;

Then best I can determine is that I have Dell Data Safe Basic and if I am reading the doc. correctly I needed to create Recovery DVD when I receiver the computer and upgrade to Dell Data Safe Pro before I encountered the problem I am currently having. Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 is able to restore a Dell computer to the original factory-installed configuration without erasing personal files and data. I am not sure if I upgrade to the Pro. Version if it would work correctly plus I think this problem existed from day one which this would accomplish nothing, do you agree?

tom

gregrocker · 20 Mar 2011

Then try the Repair Install using the Installation DVD.

If that fails, I would clean reinstall using the DVD.

Bare Foot Kid · 20 Mar 2011

Hello tbmcl, welcome to Seven Forums!

If you do purchase a new version of Windows 7 it will require a clean install and you will have to reinstall all the programs/apps that you use as they integrate themselves into the Windows registry and are not moveable from one Windows installation to another so be sure to save the program activation keys where applicable.

You will also need to make back-ups of any and all data you need to save first; the best way forward to head off any potential issues would be to do a complete wipe of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, have a look through the information below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, use Step One of this tutorial at the first link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive.

Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

theog · 20 Mar 2011

How to use Dell Recovery, & how to order Recovery Disks.
Dell - Support