Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade help needed

bigalroden · 07 Mar 2010

Hi guys,
Hope someone can help me with this problem:

I have a relatively new PC, which was set up with Windows 7 Ultimate 7100 build. The RC came to and end on March 1, and I was expecting my computer to still work but shut down every 2 hours while I sourced a full copy of W7 Ultimate. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case and my computer will no longer start because there is no OS (XP or Vista were never installed).

I now have a DVD of Windows 7 Ultimate, but I'm not sure how to install it without losing all my files/software. Unfortunately they weren't backed up due to a major cock-up, which saw me delete the old back-up so that I could replace it with an up-to-date one, but the system then expired at that moment and wouldn't let me!!

I know a clean install is obviously best, but I'm aware there are ways of updating from RC to the full version. But how can I do this when I can't actually start up the system?
There are two hard drives in the PC - one with all my files, and another which is currently empty (usually used for the backup files). Is there an option for me in installing W7 to a different hard drive? Or if I bought an external hard drive, would that help?

Please help!!
Thanks,

Alan.

gregrocker · 07 Mar 2010

First let's try to start up your RC. Boot the Win7 DVD, click Repair on second screen, see if it finds an instllation to repair. If so, accept the repair.

If WIn7 will still not start, reboot into DVD Repair console, click through to Recovery Tools to run Startup Repair repeatedly until it starts.

If this fails, download and burn to CD free bootable Partition Wizard CD. Check which partitions still exist. Click on WIn7 partition and Browse files to make sure your files are still there.

Now post back a camera screenshot or summary of your existing partitioning (including complete labeling) so we can help you decide where to clean install your new Win7 so that your files can be retrieved from the RC afterwards.

bigalroden · 08 Mar 2010

Many thanks,
The repair option worked via the DVD boot, and I can now at least start the PC - although it turns off sporadically because it's still the RC version.
I've tried backing up my files, but there isn't enough time before the system switches off.
So I tried to do an update by changing the cversion file, but that unfortunately only gets to about 25% before failing.
I guess transferring my files to an external hard drive, and going for a clean install is one option now, unless you can help out again??

gregrocker · 08 Mar 2010

There must be some reason why the workaround to change RC to any retail version isn't working now that RC is timebombing.

Did you follow these steps? Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version Icrontic Tech

If it won't in-place upgrade then you'll have to do the clean install, but it will be a much better install if that makes it any easier. :)

bigalroden · 12 Mar 2010

Hi,
Thanks so much for your help so far.
I eventually managed to get the upgrade to work, after someone suggested doing a registry clean-up. I did that with TuneUp registry cleaner, and the upgrade installation worked fine.
However, I now have a new problem!!!
Hope I'm not going too off-topic, but I can no longer access the files I had encrypted through the Folder Lock software. First, the program claimed my serial had expired, so I re-entered it and that seemingly worked, but when I unlock the folders they are empty!!
Having googled Folder Lock and W7, it seems the problem all along may have been Folder Lock!
Please, can anyone help me get my files back???

gregrocker · 12 Mar 2010

Using a 3rd party registry cleaner is never advisable, with the exception of CCleaner's registry tab - CCleaner is used by most tech professionals.

It appears your files needed to be unlocked before the Upgrade could transfer them intact. Unless you have the windows.old folder in your root (placed there normally with clean install) then there is no way to roll back the upgrade that I know of.