Windows 7: Unsuccessful reinstall of Windows 7 after restore of backup

I have Home Premium on my computer. Using Comodo I did a full backup of the drive (not an Image). I then did a clean install of WIN 7 using the disk purchased. Everything appeared to be fine until suddenly I have been receiving a message to reinstall Windows 7. The computer also has begun closing down at any time in fact quite frequently.

When I insert the Windows installer disk and request setup, the program after a long time after checking the system tells me I have a more up to date version running and stops.

Someone said that I should uninstall SP1, but this does not occur. I am told that uninstallation was not successful.



Any assistance anyone can provide me will be appreciated. I cannot run a freash backup because of the closing down.

Follow the steps in the Perfect Reinstall link in my signature picture below to get a flawless Windows 7 install.

We solve a lot of problems around here by flushing Comode O. I didn´t know they make a backup but I wouldn´t want anything of theirs on my HD with Windows 7. I´d use Windows 7 backup imaging with MSE and the Windows 7 firewall.

Thank you very much for the detailed instructions.

Unfortunately you refer mainly to a "clean" install whereas I am trying an upgrade install.

Which backup program would you recommend instead of Comodo?

You refer in your first sentence to clean installing Windows 7, not an in-place Upgrade which can only be done from Vista. Perhaps you are not aware that you can Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version.

Following my Perfect Install steps will allow clean install using Upgrade version disk since once booted it will see an OS on the HD allowing use of Upgrade version key during install.

If you´re trying to do a Repair Install which is an Upgrade of Windows 7 over itself to fix problems that otherwise cannot be fixed after troubleshooting, then you may need to uninstall SP1 if you can´t find an installer which already has it: uninstall Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

Windows 7 built-in backup works just fine:
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
Backup User and System Files

Why are you using a program to do your backup ?

Just do it yourself manually.

Where are you doing this backup to ? ( or should that be what )

OK then tell me how to backup manually.

I backed up to D drive from C drive. Full install notimage.

Have look at those tutorials:
System Image Recovery
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
Restore Backup User and System Files

Its best to back up to an external HD, another internal HD, or another computer on the network. This way if your HD fails you have the data which was most recently backed up.

Easiest manual method is to back up your User account named folder which contains all of the subfolders Documents, PIctures, etc. I prefer to back up only the active User account sub-folders since I know which ones are active and being used. Simply drag the folder(s) to the backup drive.

To import the backed up data, open the given folder, on Organize tab choose Select All, drag the group to the corresponding folder under User name on the lefthand Explorer bar, don't release the left click until Explorer stops unfolding and it confirms which folder is being copied into, then drop the files there.

What is it that you need to do now exactly so we can help you further?

Thanks gregrocker.
I have successfully stored the full files from the backup.
I feel like throwing this PC into the sea because I am now getting a message about changes having been made and that I must reinstall Windows, which I cant do because I cant remove SP1.

Now what?

Now that the backup is done, how about letting us help you walk through a Perfect Reinstall. All problems should be solved if you follow the steps perfectly.

Read through the steps and ask back any questions.

Do you have access to the Windows 7 installation DVD for your version? If not you can borrow one from a friend, unlocking all versions if necessary as shown in the steps, or download from the internet via a search for Official Windows 7 downloads from Digital Life.