With Dell it's easier to get the superior Clean Reinstall without the bloatware since they provide a clean-copy Dell Reinstallation DVD.
If not it's provided in Step 1 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which will show you how to get a perfect reinstall.
Update:
I'm running SUPER againand after 22:48:00 it's scanned 435 memory items, 60449 registry items, and 7818 file items with one threat detected and that being an adware tracking cookie. Egads.
And the Java Update Scheduler has stopped working as it's asking me what to do.
And AvastUI.exe has had an application error: "The instruction at 0x00200073 referenced memory at 0x00200073. The memory could not be written. Click on OK to terminate the program." From this I get that there are indeed some memory issues. I really wish I could run some memory tests...
Okay, off to poke around with Boba's suggestions.
What type of memory problems are you referring to ? If, by memory, you mean ram, you can run ram tests. They are jusu very long tests, but very good. RAM - Test with Memtest86+
Update: Ran the Memtest many times and my baby passed with flying colors.
Went to burn the ISO and...realized I don't have any fresh DVDs on hand. I thought I had bunches and learned I had tons of blank CDs. (expletives deleted)
C'mon, I know there's gotta be a certain keystroke-combo that you guys are hiding from me that would solve all the world's problems...
My current game-plan is to get some more blank DVDs and burn a copy of the Win7 install disc and use it to attempt to repair the current install. From what I gather from you fine folks, this will save most of my data but will change most of my Win preferences to the defaults, which should be simple enough, although time-consuming, to readjust.
If that doesn't work, I need to pull the HD again and get any needed data off of it, put it back in, and then... do a clean reinstall with the suggested Win7 iso.
Am I missing any possible shortcuts?
Oh, and have I mentioned how awesome you all have been in assisting me? If not, you guys are great, and thanks bunches.
MrGromit, you can make a system repair disk from a CD that will do most any repairs you may need. System Repair Disc - Create
If you don't have DVDs, you can make an installation disk on a USB flash drive. USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create It is exactly the same as the DVD but usually handier and faster as well.
I'm not sure how you are doing it, but if you have external media, you don't need to pull the hard drive to save your data. you can copy it while windows is running. Most of you documents, Music, Pictures and Viser is located in the C:/Users folder on your hard drive.
We also are reluctant to give out the secret keystroke that cures everything. We would be without anything to do if we gave it out. But since you asked nicely, it is tapping the F14 key. That usually fixes most things.
Greetings again.
I'm back at working on the same problem.
I've burned a fresh copy of Windows 7 from one of the links above. I was hoping to just get back to the Windows original settings and the update those. When I run the disc, it doesn't want to restore anything, it just wants to go reinstall everything, which IIRC erases the disc. I have way too much on there and no media big enough to store everything to make that a realistic option. I keep poking around at it trying to see if I've missed something.
I've noticed that, as I've stated above, it runs for a while and then it locks up, but if I leave it alone for a while sometimes it actually completes what it started (albeit sometimes two days later) but not always.
The other day, the computer I'm currently using had a ton of automatic updates. I realized that the problem could perhaps be fixed with one the updates. I checked on the other computer and after a few days it finished checking for updates. It's now in the process of downloading those updates, and by 'in the process' I mean that it's been parked for 2.5 hours at 0k total, 0% complete. Yeah, I don't think this is going to finish this year.
Is there a way I can figure out what those updates are, DL them to this computer, attach the other HD to this computer and then run the updates there? I realize that the updates are going to change the registry and put DLLs all over the place so it's going to need to be installed while running on that computer, but could I do it while in Safe Mode where things work a little faster/longer after saving them onto the desktop or something?
And for that matter, is there a way to check/DL updates in Safe Mode? I've spent a bit of time poking around there and couldn't find a way to do it.
Have I mentioned lately that you guys rock?
Last edited by MrGromit; 15 Jul 2013 at 00:18. Reason: typos galore
Oh, and essenbe, I tried that as well and it didn't work. I still have the disc but I don't remember what happened. I'll try again tomorrow to give a better report. But thanks for your help!
in my post here there is the link to the repair install tutorial. That reinstalls without erasing data.When I run the disc, it doesn't want to restore anything, it just wants to go reinstall everything, which IIRC erases the disc.
The other thing you can do is partition the disk with disk management and install a new windows 7 on the new partition. If you have enough free space anyway.
Try selecting only a few updates to download and install (click on the lines saying "12345 critical updates" and "12345 optional updates" to access the selection panel for that). If it's too much it panics.The other day, the computer I'm currently using had a ton of automatic updates. I realized that the problem could perhaps be fixed with one the updates. I checked on the other computer and after a few days it finished checking for updates. It's now in the process of downloading those updates, and by 'in the process' I mean that it's been parked for 2.5 hours at 0k total, 0% complete. Yeah, I don't think this is going to finish this year.
Are you sure that your windows 7 is still activated? One of the things that happen when your windows is not activated is that updates no more work after 30 days of trial period after install.
Yes, it's a PITA, but it's surely possible. Go here.Is there a way I can figure out what those updates are, DL them to this computer, attach the other HD to this computer and then run the updates there?
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