Re-installing Win7 Home Premium Files

[WIN7 NIGHTMARE]

I had a thought...Yes, occasionally I get 'em!

If, as I understand it, I have to be able to boot into a "working" OS in order to fix my corrupted files...What if I obtained and then attempted to load Win 7 Ultimate AS AN UPGRADE.would that work?

 

[SIW2]

No. Upgrade install can only be run from inside a working operating system.

It is the same as a "repair" install.

Repair Install

 

[WIN7 NIGHTMARE]

(&%^%^#^$*^%*^&%)( *(U !....(SWEARING).

There seems to be no easy work-a-round with this problem!

 

[SIW2]

This is why system restore points and system images are useful.

There might be system restore points on that disk.

 

[WIN7 NIGHTMARE]

This is why system restore points and system images are useful.
YES, I KNOW...I THINK WE SAW ONE (WELL, MY BROTHER DID AS HE TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE) BUT, IN SOME WAY IT DIDN'T WORK.

There might be system restore points on that disk.
YEAH...I JUST GOT OFF PHONE WITH HIM AND HE IS GOING TO SEND ME HIS HARD DRIVE TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO WITH IT....I THINK ACETYLENE, OXYGEN AND A TORCH HEAD WILL COME IN HANDY!....I WILL SEE WHAT I CAN DO WITH IT...SHOULD HAVE IT BY LATE THIS WEEK.

 

[WIN7 NIGHTMARE]

No. Upgrade install can only be run from inside a working operating system.

It is the same as a "repair" install.

Repair Install

#################################

Repair Install

• You can only do a repair install with the same edition Windows 7 installation disc for the same edition of Windows 7 that you have installed.
  OK - NO PROBLEM
  
  
• You cannot use a OEM Windows 7 "Factory" Restore/Recovery type of installation disc that came with or created from a store bought computer to do a repair install with. These can only be used do a clean install instead.
  OK - NO PROBLEM
  
  
• You can do a repair install on a factory OEM installation with the latest official Windows 7 with SP1 ISO file here: Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links, and use Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do the repair install from within Windows 7.
  **I THOUGHT I COULD NOT DO A REPAIR INSTALL???
  
  
• You can use a retail OEM Windows 7 installation disc to do a repair install with.
  OK - NO PROBLEM
  
  
• You can use a retail (full or upgrade) Windows 7 installation disc to do a repair install with.
  OK - NO PROBLEM
  
  
• You cannot do a repair install with a System Repair Disc. A System Repair Disc is not a installation disc, and will only boot to the System Recovery Options screen.
  N/A
  
  
• If you have a 32-bit (x86) Windows 7 currently installed, then you must use a 32-bit Windows 7 installation disc to be able to do a repair install with.
  NOT AN ISSUE.
  
  
• If you have a 64-bit (x64) Windows 7 currently installed, then you must use a 64-bit Windows 7 installation disc to be able to do a repair install with.
  N/A
  
  
• You can use a retail Windows 7 SP1 installation disc (ex: Technet (available), MSDN (available), or retail (when available)) to do a repair install with on a currently installed Windows 7 SP1.
  **VERY GOOD - CAN DO - I THOUGHT I COULD NOT DO A REPAIR INSTALL???
  
  
• You can use a Windows 7 SP1 installation disc (ex: Technet (available), MSDN (available), or retail (when available)) to do a repair install with on a currently installed slipstream Windows 7 SP1.
  N/A
  
  
• You cannot use a slipstream Windows 7 installation disc to do a repair install with on a currently installed Windows 7 SP1.
  N/A
  
  
• You cannot use a slipstream Windows 7 installation disc to do a repair install with on a currently installed slipstream Windows 7 SP1.
  N/A
  
  
• You can only do a repair install from within Windows 7.
  **DAMN - I THINK I AM DEAD NOW!
  
  
• You cannot do a repair install at boot or in Safe Mode.
  **YOU MEAN, WHEN THE CD ROM BOOTS UP AND SAYS "REPAIR", I CANNOT DO THAT?
  
  
• You must be logged into Windows 7 in a administrator account to be able to do a repair install.
  **NOT CURRENTLY ABLE TO GET IN..MAY CHANGE WHEN HARD DRIVE SHIPPED TO ME.
  
  
• You must have at least 8.87 GB + what is currently being used of free space (more if you have a larger installation) on the hard drive/partition Windows 7 is installed on to do a repair install.
  NO PROBLEM
  
  
• If you changed the default location of a user account's profile folder, then you will need to change it back to the default C:\Users location first.
  N/A
  
  
• If you moved the default location of a user folder, then you will need to change it back to the default C:\Users\(user-name) location first.
  N/A

 

[SIW2]

I have reconstructed entire os from restore points ( shadow copies)in the past.

See if regular system restore works first. Boot win7 32 bit installation media, select "repair my computer". It will scan for any os on the machine. Select it, click next. Then select system restore from the recovery options.

I made some 32 bit repair media. It contains all the regular MS recovery options, and other tools which you might need.

17514x86.iso

He started (or attempted to) start his computer and left either an audio or video disc in the optical drive..Since then, his computer will not boot/start.

and use Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do the repair install from within Windows 7.

A repair install can only be performed from within the running operating system.
If you cannot boot into your brothers windows 7, you cannot perform a repair install.

You also cannot perform an upgrade install because it is essentially the same as a repair install.

I think I have posted that about 4 times now. All is not lost. With a bit of luck system restore will do the job.

 

[WIN7 NIGHTMARE]

See if regular system restore works first.
IT DID NOT FOR SOME U/K UN-REMEMBERED REASON.

Boot installation media, select "repair my computer".
WILL TRY AS SOON AS HD RECEIVED BY ME.

It will scan for any os on the machine.
IT FOUND THAT.

Select it, click next. Then select system restore from the recovery options.
CRAPPED OUT

I made some 32 bit repair media. It contains all the regular MS recovery options, and other tools which you might need.
OK - WILL EXAMINE.


A repair install can only be performed from within the running operating system.

NOT RUNNING---C: DIR SHOWS HD CRAPOLA BUT, ISSUES BOOTING TO START UP WINDOWS.


If you cannot boot into your brothers windows 7, you cannot perform a repair install.
AS I RAISE THE GUN TO MY TEMPLE!

I think I have posted that about 4 times now.
YEAH, YA DID.

 

[SIW2]

Try the usual things like chkdsk and regular system restore first.

Disk Check

There is an additinal possible snag. Even if chkdsk passes and then system restore completes, there might be a mismatch between youir brothers hardware and yours. That can cause problems for windows booting on your machine ( depending how different the hardware is )

If regular system restore does not complete, then shadowcopyview ( it is on the desktop of my boot media ) might show everything in the shadow copy.

If there is enough space , create a folder on the windows 7 partition called something sensible like OLDSTUFF.

Then MOVE (not copy) all the folders from the win7 partition into OLDSTUFF folder. ( the MOVE function is on the right click menu in my boot media)

Then use shadowcopyview to copy the contents of the shadow onto the windows 7 partition. Don't rush, copy one folder at a time. The windows folder is particularly large and might be better copied out in stages.

 

[WIN7 NIGHTMARE]

Thanks for the reply(ies).

Try regular system restore first.
WILL DO AS SOON AS I RECEIVE HIS HD.

There is an additinal possible snag. Even if system restore completes, there might be a mismatch between youir brothers hardware and yours.
YES, I ALREADY ANTICIPATED THAT AND TOLD HIM THIS MORNING.

That can cause problems for windows booting ( depending how different the hardware is )
IS IS ALMOST IDENTICAL - THE GREATEST DIFFERENCE IS THAT I RUN DUAL MONITORS USING A "DUAL CARD".

If no joy, then shadowcopy view might show everything in the shadow copy.
UH - HUH?

If there is enough space , create a folder on the windows 7 partition called something sensible like OLDSTUFF.
FIRST THING IS I AM GOING TO ATTEMPT TO DO A CLONE COPY OF HIS HD TO A BLANK 4TB HD I HAVE BEFORE I START ANYTHING...NOT SURE IF THAT WILL WORK BUT, WORTH A TRY.

Then MOVE (not copy) all the folders from the win7 partition into OLDSTUFF folder.
UH, OK....

Then use shadowcopyview to copy the contents of the shadow onto the windows 7 partition. Don't rush, copy one folder at a time. The windows folder is particularly large and might better copied out in stages.
I HAVE TO DIGEST THIS BIT BY BIT AND FIGURE OUT WHAT SOME OF THIS MEANS...A BIT NEW TO ME....OK, GOING TO HIT MY COFFEE POT...WILL RETURN AFTER A BIT TO SEE WHAT TRANSPIRES.

 

[WIN7 NIGHTMARE]

Try the usual things like chkdsk and regular system restore first.

Disk Check

There is an additinal possible snag. Even if chkdsk passes and then system restore completes, there might be a mismatch between youir brothers hardware and yours. That can cause problems for windows booting on your machine ( depending how different the hardware is )

If no joy, then shadowcopyview ( it is on the desktop of my boot media ) might show everything in the shadow copy.

If there is enough space , create a folder on the windows 7 partition called something sensible like OLDSTUFF.

Then MOVE (not copy) all the folders from the win7 partition into OLDSTUFF folder. ( the MOVE function is on the right click menu in my boot media)

Then use shadowcopyview to copy the contents of the shadow onto the windows 7 partition. Don't rush, copy one folder at a time. The windows folder is particularly large and might be better copied out in stages.

########################

I attempted to do scan disc/file cker, etc but, received an error that another repair was in progress and needed to reboot - i did, same error message.

 

[SIW2]

FIRST THING IS I AM GOING TO ATTEMPT TO DO A CLONE COPY OF HIS HD TO A BLANK 4TB HD I HAVE BEFORE I START ANYTHING...NOT SURE IF THAT WILL WORK BUT, WORTH A TRY.

it is a good idea to have a backup.

 

[WIN7 NIGHTMARE]

..........EVERYBODY REST!..........ha

 

[SIW2]

shadowcopyview shows any shadow copies. Select one and it shows all the folders and files in the shadow copy. You can rt click each of the contents and copy them out.

 

[Megahertz07]

Link from M$
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 COEM English - 32Bits

Link is valid for 24 hours (till 3/2/2020 9:15:39 PM UTC)

 

[torchwood]

Hi

Please partition that 4tb external drive, 2x2.

from your 1st post your quoting MBR
it has a size limitations


Roy

 

[Megahertz07]

The 4T HDD is a GPT disk. You cant clone a MBR on it.
Make a disk image and save it to the 4T HDD.

 

[WIN7 NIGHTMARE]

link from m$
windows 7 home premium sp1 coem english - 32bits

link is valid for 24 hours (till 3/2/2020 9:15:39 pm utc)

############################

uh, i don't know how u did this or exactly what is currently downloading
(says win7) as it just started but, thanks.....May not be good as I have no ser #.

 

[WIN7 NIGHTMARE]

Hi

Please partition that 4tb external drive, 2x2.

from your 1st post your quoting MBR
it has a size limitations


Roy

***************************************

yes, I know....I believe it is already partitioned but, have another 1tb hd sitting right next to it.

 

[WIN7 NIGHTMARE]

I am going to take this opportunity to thank everyone whom "chimed in" in trying to help me help my brother...I am relatively unfamiliar with Win 7.....if i can get it back on it's feet again and return it to him, he will be most great full, and so will I......The hd should arrive towards end of the week......THANKS EVERYONE.