Solved How can I clean Install using and iso

[ignatzatsonic]

the iso file i downloaded was lost on install.

Downloaded from where?

See post 14 for the correct location.

 

[Fix]

I went to that site and i cannot find any downloads, Ok my bad I can find them sorry.

Still im confused to which ones and how many to download. The links in universal disc creater would be nice. I guess im just over all this, I been trying to fix this for days need to push on cause otherwise I will have no computer

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Did you consider the "software" link at that site?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I went to that site and i cannot find any downloads, Ok my bad I can find them sorry.

Still im confused to which ones and how many to download. The links in universal disc creater would be nice. I guess im just over all this, I been trying to fix this for days need to push on cause otherwise I will have no computer

You need one file.

Which one depends on the version for which your Product Key is valid.

What version of Windows 7 came pre-installed on that PC from the factory?

I don't see why you would need a "universal' disk.

You said you had ISO X17-58997. Did you choose that for any particular reason?

 

[Fix]

I thought because this version did not work that I would need a universal disc, I guess it's because i downloaded from the wrong place ?

I downloaded that ISO because it was what I thought I needed and I can't even remember where I downloaded the ISO that im currently running, it worked but not with my product key

Is this the correct ISO that I would need "x15-65733...

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65733/X15-65733.iso

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Is this the correct ISO that I would need

I have no idea.

I don't know what that is and I don't know what version of Windows 7 came pre-installed on your computer.

All of the Windows 7 versions at mydigitallife.info begin with X17.

Not X-15.

Official ISO Downloads

I have no idea what version you need because you have yet to tell us what version was preinstalled on your PC and/or what version your Product Key is valid for.

 

[Fix]

My computer came pre installed with windows 7 Home premium 64 bit Sp1 6.1 build 7601

Would this be the correct iso for match of my product key ?
Official ISO Downloads

I just clicked the link and it's downloading, is this the correct way to download?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

My computer came pre installed with windows 7 Home premium 64 bit, well that is what was on systems properties

Would this be the correct iso for match of my product key ?

Official ISO Downloads

I just clicked the link and it's downloading, is this the correct way to download?

Yes. That is the correct way to download. You then need to burn it to a decent quality DVD using a good burning program at a fairly slow speed, such as 4x or 8x.

That ISO is for Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit English, with SP1

If you bought an ordinary laptop from someone like HP or Asus or Acer and it had an ordinary English version of Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, that ISO should work.

If it came pre-installed with something else, maybe not.

 

[Fix]

My computer is Acer Aspire 5738G Laptop purchased in an English speaking country.

I will save the iso to my external hard drive for a backup and then burn to dvd using Imgburn that post #2 requested I use and it worked find on the brand of dvd at 4x

When I install this iso should I format any/all of the partitions ?

I have had this computers hard drive fixed in the past and new image created, by any chance would they have changed the product key?.

I used a product key programme to find my key before I figured it was on the bottom of the laptop and they are two different keys?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

See Greg's post #10.

He says the recovery partition you now have will NOT work after the clean install, so you may as well delete it during the install process.

Make the recovery disks as he suggests while you can. They are intended to restore you to factory specifications if you ever need to, but frankly they are not foolproof. Hope you never have to rely on them.

Look at the link in his post for more details.

I would NOT "format" all partitions. I would delete all of them. They will then be recreated and formatted during the install.

Look for a choice called "drive options, advanced". I think that is where you delete partitions.

When the install completes, get your antivirus going and go to Windows update and get your updates.

Then reboot and take a look at Windows Disk Management.

You should see 2 partitions: System Reserved and C.

Before you start, I would make sure I had an Ethernet driver (aka NIC driver) so you can establish an internet connection. Put it on a blank CD or on a USB stick It's probably at the Acer website. It may also be installed by default during the Windows installation---not sure. You need this driver to be able to get on the Internet.

The NIC driver may be on a disk that may have been supplied to you by Acer when you bought the PC??? I don't really know what disks Acer supplies.

 

[gregrocker]

I thought because this version did not work that I would need a universal disc, I guess it's because i downloaded from the wrong place ?

I downloaded that ISO because it was what I thought I needed and I can't even remember where I downloaded the ISO that im currently running, it worked but not with my product key

Is this the correct ISO that I would need "x15-65733...

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65733/X15-65733.iso

No you do not need the Universal disk which is for those of us who install all versions regularly. Use the tutorial I first linked you Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which explains how all of this is done and would have already gotten you a perfect install had you only followed the steps.

Why do you ask for help here and then ignore these steps which were given you?

Did you download the wrong version which is why it won't activate now? Yes or No? If you downloaded and installed the correct licensed OS on your COA sticker then it will activate. If you downloaded another version then you had no right to do so as you do not own that version. You own the one on the COA sticker for the life of the machine to reinstall as often as you like.

Since you left your Recovery partition on the drive you can try running it now to see if it will work, then decide if you want to keep it or delete it along with all other partitions when you reinstall the correct version. Here's how to test the Recovery partition now: Acer Support: Frequently Asked Questions list for Recovery media and Restoring a system to factory load

 

[Fix]

I did not receive any type of utilities disc or recovery disc when I purchased this Laptop. I think acer recovery partition replaced them.

I would like to download drivers and save them to a disc, is there a utilities download package with most essential drivers or I have to locate and download individually? Or can i take them from the computer somehow and save them

 

[gregrocker]

Did you even bother reading Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which is quite specific about how drivers are handled in Win7? This is not your grandfather's XP.

The drivers are in the installer or quickly updated via optional Windows Update when you enable to Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware.

If necessary supply your wireless or ethernet driver to get online to get your Updates, then only after all updates are done should you import any drivers missing in Device Manager from the Acer Support Downloads webpage for your model here: http://support.acer.com/us/en/product/default.aspx

 

[Fix]

I thought because this version did not work that I would need a universal disc, I guess it's because i downloaded from the wrong place ?

I downloaded that ISO because it was what I thought I needed and I can't even remember where I downloaded the ISO that im currently running, it worked but not with my product key

Is this the correct ISO that I would need "x15-65733...

http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65733/X15-65733.iso

No you do not need the Universal disk which is for those of us who install all versions regularly. Use the tutorial I first linked you Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which explains how all of this is done and would have already gotten you a perfect install had you only followed the steps.

Why do you ask for help here and then ignore these steps which were given you?

Did you download the wrong version which is why it won't activate now? Yes or No? If you downloaded and installed the correct licensed OS on your COA sticker then it will activate. If you downloaded another version then you had no right to do so as you do not own that version. You own the one on the COA sticker for the life of the machine to reinstall as often as you like.

Since you left your Recovery partition on the drive you can try running it now to see if it will work, then decide if you want to keep it or delete it along with all other partitions when you reinstall the correct version. Here's how to test the Recovery partition now: Acer Support: Frequently Asked Questions list for Recovery media and Restoring a system to factory load

I have not resorted to factory reset because I have used that before on this computer and it failed, at the time I did not have any type of backup and lost everything. Turned out to be a hard drive failure that was fixed by insurance. Sure I will try factory reset if this iso does not work.

I did not follow the steps that you provided the first time around because I was in a hurry, there seemed to be a lot of information and I was freaking out because I was getting BSOD ERRORS(hard drive possibly) that were getting worse and harder to get to start (half hr).

I just wanted image on fast, this images works fine and obviously it's the wrong one and now I am sorry I did not follow instructions to the best that I could.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Have you tried to re-install from the new ISO download yet?

You don't need to burn a driver's disc. The drivers are in that ISO you burned.

After you install, look in Device Manager for any yellow exclamation points. Look in Disk Management for confirmation of your partition setup.

Get antivirus going and get Windows Updates.

 

[gregrocker]

So slow down and take your time, let us help you get a perfect reinstall.

Since you've confirmed your Recovery doesn't work then be sure to delete all partitions using the Custom install Drive Options as shown. Highlight each partition and click Delete:



Then either take the time to create your New Partitions as you wish, or simply click Next and the installer will create and format one large install partition for you and proceed.

 

[Fix]

I am still downloading the ISO, 370kbps got 1.1 gig to go

Would there be any point to creating partitions, Mirror image for backup ?

 

[gregrocker]

Some users like to create new User folders (Documents, Pictures, Music, etc) on a separate partition linked via the related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums.

This keeps the System image on C smaller without the data files so that if Win7 becomes irreparable you can reimage from external in 20 minutes and the data is current and in place on its partition.

This is only necessary if you use built-in Backup imaging: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

If not you can just go with the one install partition (and the 100mb boot partition it creates which should be ignored) and later shrink it if you want another partition.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

After you get the basic install done, activated, and updated, you could make an "image" of the entire drive as it is at that moment.

You'd have to store that image file on some other drive. You could then "restore" that image to the hard drive in case of a serious problem like a drive failure or virus attack.

You could also make periodic images---every month or so, and keep a couple of the newest ones, along with the oldest one if you like.

You can do this with the built-on Windows tool, but it's cranky and not easily understood. Most would tell you to use the free Macrium Reflect instead.

But...........images don't always restore when you get in a jam, so they aren't foolproof.

Back up your personal data in some other way, without using an image.

Most people don't use images at all. They save you installation and configuration time if they restore properly, but that's all they do.

 

[Fix]

Ok so default partition it is keep it simple

I created a full image backup using my portable hard drive as soon as this install was created, I will do another once my latest installation is up and running happily and activated then I will only worry about data not images. If problems arise then I will just reinsall