when I try to reinstall and repair windows, wrong version error

lem45216 · 27 Mar 2013

I don't want to lose my data and programs is why I don't want to do a new install..

VistaKing · 27 Mar 2013

You could only do an upgrade from within Windows. If you can't then you will have to do a clean install which you will lose your data and programs. You could do is backup your data onto an external hard drive .

Have your external hard drive plugged in. Click on Repair your computer Choose Windows 7 on the System Recovery screen choose Command Prompt

In command prompt type

Code:

notepad.exe

Inside Notepad click on File then choose open and save your data that way to your external. Programs won't be saved . You would have to reinstall them again.

nilank · 27 Mar 2013

Well that's not at all possible in your case since the Windows version you got with your purchase doesn't seem to be genuine and/or is a modified version.

Doing a clean install seems to be the only option. Just format C, you'll loose everything on C, rest will remain intact, but you'll obviuosly need to reinstall all programs.

VistaKing · 27 Mar 2013

He should be able to back up his files if his Windows isn't genuine .

benjy206 · 27 Mar 2013

nilank said:

Probably a bad BIOS update. Get into your BIOS and reset the settings to default, save and exit. See if it helps.

Also you could try popping open your case, taking the CMOS battery out, waiting for half an hour and then placing it back. This also resets BIOS to factory defaults along with the loss of date and time which need to be set after performing this step.

Hope it helps.

CMOS Battery is only for the RTC (real time clock) Mostly these days. You will have to look up the motherboard manual to reset the BIOS from the jumpers on the motherboard.

AddRAM · 27 Mar 2013

Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

The computer should have a COA with the windows key code on it. Use that to activate windows after you rescue your data and do a clean install.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

If you fouled up your bios, then simply resetting it will probably not fix it. But as mentioned find the jumper pins ( 3 of them with a cap on 2 of them ) marked clear cmos. They will not be far from the cmos battery. Move the jumper pin over the other 2 pins for 5 seconds, put it back then restart the machine. You will have to go back into the bios to change a few things. As long as you don`t pull the cmos battery the date and time should be right, but check it.

Do all this with the power unplugged and drain the power by holding down the power button for 5 seconds.

gregrocker · 27 Mar 2013

Back up your files using the Win7 DVD as suggested to Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console.

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS, enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module, set DVD drive first to boot, HD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt.You are creating the partition here for the purpose of marking it Active which overcomes certain install failures.

lem45216 · 28 Mar 2013

Used Paragon Rescue kit 11 to BU data, and started clean install. I have been working on it about 8 hours and it looks like everything is going well. Thanks to all of you who helped me reach this point.

gregrocker · 28 Mar 2013

Equally important to getting a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
is how you set it up. So be sure to read over the steps again and ask back if you have any questions.

Especially focus on getting online to run all Important and Optional Updates. Normally you can do this while you are setting up your desktop and even installing important programs. Just heed the reboots and go right back to run Windows Update until they are all completed.

Then check Device Manager to see which drivers are still missing to import from your PC or device's Support Downloads webpage. We can help you if you throw it back to us there.

Once it's all set up and running perfectly (in a day or two) capture a Win7 backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again. You can even apply this install to other PC's using Paragon Adaptive Restore CD freeware.

lem45216 · 28 Mar 2013

I'm ready to restore the user data that I saved with paragon rescue kit 11. Any recommendations of how to do that?

I see that my question was answered above before I asked it.