How do I correct installation problems for Windows 7

If you maximized the Disk Mgmt window as I asked I could glance at the size listings on the two logical partitions to know if it is practical to back up the data so they can be deleted.

You have a deleted 10gb Recovery or Linux partition and a now-useless 2gb tools partition sitting on the prime lower address of your HD which is what is read first and therefore fastest. That is sloppy since such prime disk space should be utilitized by the OS.

If you follow the tutorial to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 you'd delete all unneeded partitions and create a new Install partition.

Or to rid of those you can boot free Partition Wizard bootable CD, rightclick on each unneeded partition to Delete, then click OK. Then rightclick on C to Resize, drag left border all the way to the left side, then right border to the right, click OK, Apply all steps. You may need to run Startup Repair after resizing on the boot sector. Partition Wizard Move/Resize Partition Video

As to your attempt to use Disk Management, you do not want to Delete the C drive, but the G and H drives after backing up any data stored there. So you would rightclick on G to Delete, then rightclick on H to delete, then if any Logical volume remains rightclick on it to Delete Volume. Now you can extend C into that space.

kdermanis said:

i thought i had uploaded in my earlier post, but it was not one of the supported file extensions.

i also used the hp support and I have solved all the exclamation marks in the device manager except:

- ethernet controller
- pci device
- sm bus controller

Also, I need to solve the partition disk problem as now the 20GB is almost full!

First, do not mark ANY partitions active except System Reserved, and even then, it's already marked active. Doing so will make Windows not boot and you will have to run startup repair multiple times to fix it. Right click on the linux partitions and select delete. Out of curiosity, what linux distrobution did this come with?

When you say you did all the updates--

I suspect that you missed a couple of settings which is very understandable.

What I'd like for you to do, no matter how senseless and unnecessary the steps may appear, work you way thru this write-up from start to finish.

Let us know when you finish:
UPDATING YOUR WIN 7
ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE ALL UPDATES
WIN | type WINDOWS UPDATE | ENTER |
Change settings (left-hand column) |
checkmark all four of the boxes | OK button

Approve any dialog boxes presented. Let Windows install any update features.

WIN is the key with the Microsoft flag on top.

INSTALL CRITICAL UPDATES
Check for Updates (left-hand column)
Install ALL critical updates.
Restart your computer (even if not prompted)

Repeat this procedure until there are no more critical updates.

DO NOT TRUST the “Windows is up to date” in center of dialog. until you see that TWICE IN A ROW!

INSTALL IMPORTANT UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all important updates are installed.

INSTALL OPTIONAL UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all optional updates are installed.

Under Optional updates you will be presented with a list of about 34 language updates.
You can hide those updates so that aren't continually notified of those updates. When you click on 34 optional updates are available, then you
a) highlight all of the language updates,
b) right-click anywhere in the highlighted list.
c) click on Hide Updates,
d) OK button.


UPDATE GOLDEN RULES
Install ALL, yes, ALL updates.
This is Win 7 and not Vista or XP (eXPired).

UPDATE IS HUNG –TAKING FOREVER
Hung is very doubtful unless you interrupted updates.

CTRL + SHIFT + ESC key combo will pop-up the Task Manager.
Lo and behold, Windows Update is still running!

You hold down the CTRL and SHIFT keys.
While holding them down, tap the ESC key once.
=========================================

thanks,