Upgrade Install Problem

I'm going to put you back at ground zero.

Please follow, dotting all 'i"s and crossing all "t"s, this procedure:
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

When that finishes, do not add any third-party drivers, but rather:

UPDATING YOUR WIN 7
ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE ALL UPDATES
WIN | type WINDOWS UPDATE | ENTER |
Change settings (left-hand column) |
checkmark all four of the boxes | OK button

Approve any dialog boxes presented. Let Windows install any update features.

WIN is the key with the Microsoft flag on top.

INSTALL CRITICAL UPDATES
Check for Updates (left-hand column)
Install ALL critical updates.
Restart your computer (even if not prompted)

Repeat this procedure until there are no more critical updates.

DO NOT TRUST the “Windows is up to date” in center of dialog. until you see that TWICE IN A ROW!

INSTALL IMPORTANT UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all important updates are installed.

INSTALL OPTIONAL UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all optional updates are installed.

Under Optional updates you will be presented with a list of about 34 language updates.
You can hide those updates so that aren't continually notified of those updates. When you click on 34 optional updates are available, then you
a) highlight all of the language updates,
b) right-click anywhere in the highlighted list.
c) click on Hide Updates,
d) OK button.


UPDATE GOLDEN RULES
Install ALL, yes, ALL updates.
This is Win 7 and not Vista or XP (eXPired).

UPDATE IS HUNG –TAKING FOREVER
Hung is very doubtful unless you interrupted updates.

CTRL + SHIFT + ESC key combo will pop-up the Task Manager.
Lo and behold, Windows Update is still running!

You hold down the CTRL and SHIFT keys.
While holding them down, tap the ESC key once.
=================================================

Awaiting your glowing report of success.

Clean install, followed by the update procedure I gave.

When that is finished:
Install MSE, Microsoft Security Essentials. Link in my signature.
That is the one and the only AV solution I use, I recommend and I install.
More will not make you safer, but will slow down your system. Whether you notice the slowdown depends upon your hardware, but you will run slower. Every background program takes up time.

Read the following:
Understanding Microsoft Anti-Malware Software 2012 ~ Security Garden

When that is finished, then:
if you have not, then Activate your install:
WIN + BREAK keycombo | click on the icon or whatever there in the bottom-right of the page.

Use Win 7 Backup and Restore to make a SYSTEM IMAGE backup to an external USB drive.

You want to be able to restore your system to a know good state without having to once again reinstall everything.

Now, and only now, you can install 3rd party software.

ignatzatsonic said:

Todd Sauve said:

I'm guessing that the problem is that I didn't activate the OS once it had successfully installed and booted.

I doubt activation is the solution. A good Windows install should work fine without activation for a month.

Did you use a burned disc, an OEM disc, a retail disc, or?

You say "fresh rebuild". What components did you change?

I've used this disc before and it worked fine. In fact, it installs with no problems, except I forgot to add the Windows.old folder and then activate it once it boots successfully. That has worked fine several times before. It's a burned disc of a retail upgrade 3 pack that I shared with sis and bro-in-law.

It is on the PC I retired back in 2010. AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ with 2 gigs of DDR RAM. Had this same OS on it but then I changed it all over to my new PC. But I got tired of 32bit and upgraded that to OEM 64bit.

So the old upgrade disc goes back on the old PC, which will be used as a HTPC. I only had to add a new 400 watt PSU, a HDMI equipped Radeon 5450 and a wireless keyboard/mouse combo. It plays hi-def video with no problems, and surfs the net with aplomb. Might add Netflix, too. Will be hooked up to my AVR and 52" HDTV running at 1080p resolution.

In a year or two I'll change the MB, CPU and video card to something more suitable for my "Wings of Prey" flight sim, which is the only game I play. I already have a Radeon 6850 that I use for that, on my new PC.

So I have about $100 invested in the oldie. Not bad for a decent HTPC, eh?

By the way, I remember Ignat the mouse. He used to throw bricks at Krazy Kat, didn't he?