Windows 7: Repair Install

Hello Anon,

Sorry, but no. It must be done on the same computer that it was originally installed on.

while completing the iso --> usb part i got this

"files copied successfully. however, we were unable to run bootsect to make the usb bootable"



please help! what went wrong?

you have the wrong bootsect. search the tutorials for the one you need. I can't tell if you're 32bit or 64 bit.

Anon,

I think it's time to consider a clean install instead.

What do you mean wrong bootsect? I'm using Windows 7-64bit home premium.

Brink, that's out of the question. Lol. I have really important stuff on there that I can't lose and my laptop is not working long enough to save it to my external.

anon123,

I'll answer the question you asked then leave you in Shawn's hands. He knows this stuff in and out.

I ran through this once and found that I formatted the drive on a machine that was back level. Wehn I got to where you are, I searched the tutorial and found the error of my ways, replaced the bootsect and ws on my merry way. Which is what I'm going to do now.

Seriously, Shawn will get you through this far better without me interjecting possibilities.

@ Bill

It's no bother at all Bill. The more help the better.

@ Anon
Just to be certain, what's wrong with your laptop?

In that case, you might see if you may be able to connect the laptop's HDD to another computer to see if you can backup (copy and paste) anything that you do not want to lose first.

If you can't, then you might see if you may be able to use the link below to help you create a live Ubuntu disc to use to try and recover any files from it instead while connected to another computer.

Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

Can I have the details and tut on how you fixed this?

Gidday Brink,

I can't thank you enough for your complete, concise and easy to follow & understand description of how to perform a "Repair Install" for Windows 7. It worked perfectly & was completed, including fresh updates in about 6 hours.

I had been searching for fixes to several problems for nearly 4 months. It all started when I lost the ability to stream sound from the internet, or play sound in videos downloaded from the 'net using Real Player, even videos downloads prior to the problem appearing. . .all other sound functions worked perfectly.

I then found the System Properties would not show the CPU detail.

The next thing I found was that sfc /scannow would complete with errors it could not fix.

Next thing as that msconfig/system info was unable to run.

I tried all the fixes and all they did was show up other problems & fixed nothing.

Your procedure fixed EVERYTHING. . . . . .

Also I experienced none of the side effects you alluded to in you description, including windows theme. . .worked perfectly in every respect.

The only issue that arose was a warning about iTunes & the need to, I forget the term it used, but I simple switched screens & uninstalled it. . .no problemo!

Please excuse the long winded reply, but I thought it may help the myriad of people out there who are also chasing solutions to these problems.

Again thank you

Cheers,
Chinga

I found Shawn knows his stuff from extensive testing here at SF and over at the older site VistaForums when first reviewing the endless number of guides he has written! Well done! is where he is at!

The methods outlined in the guide here have been used since 7 was still in beta and work each time when simply reading the cautionary notes as well as following each step closely. In fact I would be using this option again except the present install has already been on now for two full years and needs a fresh start.

With 7 loaded up with all sorts of apps one repair install took about 80 minutes or an hour and 20min. with each program still in working order upon completion. All files and folders found intact! You might have to reinstall some device drivers however as seen with any repair op but minor when considering down time for starting all over fresh.