Repair Install Windows 7 Unsuccessful

I am having problem with the sound (!Failed to play test tone). I tried all possible methods including reinstalling the latest audio drive (Realtek).

I have not taken backup of any image.

I tried 'sfc/scannow' and restored two corrupt files (they have nothing to do with audio). Bur audio stil not working.

At last I tried, the option of repair install windows 7 using the original 'Windows 7' installation CD as per the procedure given in the tutorial.

I stopped the McAfee 'Realtime scan option' with 'Never start' option.

Everything went on well, but it stopped in the following screen. (Sorry! I have not taken the screen shot)

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Upgrading windows

That's all the information we need right now. Your computer will restart several times during the upgrade.

• (TICK) Copying Windows files
• (TICK) Gathering files, settings, and programs
• (TICK) Expanding Windows files
• (TICK) Installing features and updates
• (no TICK but in BOLD) Transferring files, settings, and programs (62%...)

Transferring files, settings, and programs (316895 of 419269 transferred)
Please wait ......

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The above screen remained for nearly 24 hrs without any change. Mouse was also not working. When I pressed the ESC key, the following message was displayed

! Setup cannot be canceled at this point. Doing so could leave your computer in a potentially unusable state.

I waited for another 5 or six hours. Nothing happened. I pressed the RESET and the computer stopped. I again pressed the RESET and the computer booted and automatically took the option 'Windows setup rollback' and started booting with the following message.

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The upgrade was not successful. Your previous version of Windows is being restored.

Do not restart your computer during this time.
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Thankfully the computer was restored back.

I did it second time with exactly same result (unsuccessful and rollback).

Can someone guide me as to how to get back my sound?

Are you using Win7 driver from Realtek Support Downloads webpage for exact sound model?

Check also optional Windows updates to see if there is a better Win7 driver delivered.

Where did you get the installation DVD? Did you burn it yourself? Has it been used successfully to install yet?

Consider a clean reinstall to wiped HD: re-install windows 7

Already done all that (suggestions) before attempting the re-install (repair install using Upgrade option).
I have the original DVD, using which I installed my OS. This is a self-assemled PC. I used this original CD to do upgrade (to repair install)

Regarding the Realtek driver
- I uninstalled and installed it from original driver CD.
- Uninstalled and let the Windows do the installation
- Ininstalled and installed the latest driver from Realtek.
Nothing worked

I blocked the McAfee at startup (using msconfig) and run Malewarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials. They could not find any issue.

I regularly do defragmentation once in a week of all partitions.

Removed all unnecessary programs

Removed all games installed by my son.

Still no sound (!Failed to play test tone)

May be the last option is Clean installation of W7
I have already taken image backup of c: and system partition and windows backup of my libraries

Try this
Open CMD
type the below.

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
start devmgmt.msc

In device manager, click view and tick show hidden devices
uninstall all the sound drivers seen.
uninstall the realtek software package
Run the hardware wizard and browse to the Location where the drivers is on the CD.

Try uninstalling MucAfee. It solves a lot of problems.

Use MSE and Win7 Firewall, with Malwarebytes scan monthly or when needed.

Thanks a lot. I got the sound back. The followed the steps below.

1. I unsinstalled McAfee using windows 7 uninstall
2. Downloaded McAfee uninstall program (MCPR)
3. RUN MCPR and cleaned all traces of McAfee
4. Using original Windows 7 DVD did a repair install of windows 7 (as per upgrade option)

I got the sound back !!!!!!!!!!!


The real culprit was McAfee which was not allowing to complete the activity
"Transferring files, settings, and programs (62%...)"
Stopping the McAfee is NOT sufficient. It has to be uninstalled FULLY.


Once again thanks a lot