Trying to do a Windows install, Have partitions question

[dmurph]

I am having some major problems with a computer at work. While trying to solve the 'black screen of death' problem, Windows (7 Professional 64bit) decided to fail. It wont boot so I decided to try a repair with the original disc to no avail as I can not recover the admin password. So now I figured I would just re-install it..? My question I guess is can I/should I delete both partitions so I can move forward in the process?

 

[AddRAM]

It should be taken to the IT department.

 

[Layback Bear]

It should be taken to the IT department.

 

[derekimo]

That picture isn't a windows 7 screen...

 

[whs]

It's XP.

 

[derekimo]

It's XP.

Exactly.

 

[dmurph]

That picture isn't a windows 7 screen...

Yes I see that it says XP...however the disc that was used reads Windows 7 Professional SP1 and is the same program on the rest of the computers..I dont know anything about computers, however we do not have an IT department. Im just trying to salvage this before they junk it...so any helpful suggestions would be appreciated

 

[dmurph]

Also, the company we called to purchase and set up the computers were a little questionable.. im not entirely convinced they weren't refurbished, and we have had multiple issues with a couple of them from the beginning so my employers at this point dont want to 'waste' anymore $$ on them..

 

[whs]

But we first should straighten out what disc you have. The one you show is clearly an XP installation disc, regardless what it says on the outside.

 

[shadow2201]

That picture isn't a windows 7 screen...

Yes I see that it says XP...however the disc that was used reads Windows 7 Professional SP1 and is the same program on the rest of the computers..I dont know anything about computers, however we do not have an IT department. Im just trying to salvage this before they junk it...so any helpful suggestions would be appreciated

Just because the disk says "Windows 7" doesn't mean that's what's on there. Is it a legitimate disk or is it a copied disk? Can you take a picture of the disk so we can tell? If that screen is what came up, this is not a Windows 7 disk.

 

[AddRAM]

But if that`s the disc you want to use, then yes delete both partitions.

But it`s definetly a Windows XP Pro install disc, and that`s what will be on the laptop when you`re done.

 

[dmurph]

Sorry for the delay! You know what... it was an XP disc.. we actually dont have the Windows 7 disc here... :-( Im at a loss!... Windows 7 was installed on the computer but xp was on the screen shot because that was the disc that I had put in. .

 

[shadow2201]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

Follow this Tutorial to install Windows 7. As long as you have the COA sticker, you will be just fine.

 

[whs]

So what do you want to install. And what does the COA sticker on the back of the box say - XP or Windows 7.

This is how a COA sticker looks like:

 

[dmurph]

Ive searched through everything..the IT guys who set up the computers did not leave a disc, a box or any information.. Ive tried contacting them twice since my original post and no response.. :-( Im not sure there is anything left to be done other than junk it or take it to a different company....right?

 

[whs]

No need to junk it. A reinstall is possible but we need to know what's on the COA sticker - see my post above.

 

[dmurph]

Is this verifying my thoughts on it being refurbished?

 

[whs]

Hmm you have choices:

1. You can install XP with the installation disc you have and activate it with the key on the COA sticker

2. Find a Windows 7 Pro installation disc or .iso and use the Windows 7 key on the other sticker

3. Install Windows 10 TP. That is free until about October this year

https://www.tenforums.com/windows-10-news/1946-download-windows-10-technical-preview.html

And if none of that works, you can always put Linux on the box. They have fine systems.
Watch one of my demos.

But scrapping a good computer would be ashame.

 

[dmurph]

Thanks for your help, I'll update you as I go along.. do you know why there would be 2 stickers on it? All of our other computers have Windows7Pro so why would an XP sticker be on it?

 

[whs]

Thanks for your help, I'll update you as I go along.. do you know why there would be 2 stickers on it? All of our other computers have Windows7Pro so why would an XP sticker be on it?

This was originally an XP system and then it was refurbished and Windows 7 was installed. They were good people and put the Windows 7 sticker on the box. You are lucky.

You may want to have a look at Step 1 of this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#step1