Accidentally did custom install instead of repair install

Britton30 said:

It is possible the drive went bad coincidently with a repair install.

I couldn't do the repair install because it required me to do the WIndows update which I also couldn't do, so I did a custom install if that helps. It took off my ALPS driver also and who knows what else.

@VistaKing, a DVD does play and a CD still doesn't. I am not sure where to look at what type of CD burning software, but I will look around.

No, it said the upgrade install couldn't be done because I needed to run Windows Update and try again.

Any idea of what I should do? I am not very knowledgeable about computers.

If you audited the Product Key with Belarc it is unlikely you can activate Win7 with it, since it will be the temporary key issued at a new install, or the OEM SLP key installed at factory if you audited it before the new install and hadn't ever run a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 before - the only way the key on the COA sticker would be read from the HD.

If that's the case and it won't activate with the Belarc key but you can read most of the Product Key on COA sticker you can try using MS Telephone activation to see if they can get enough information to verify the key or issue a new one: How To Activate Windows 7 by Phone Step-by-Step Guide

If not then your options are to roll back the windows.old folder as Shawn originally advised, try to run HP System Recovery if it's partition is still intact and bootable using the key given, or order the Recovery disks from HP Support.

My Windows key works since I ran Belarc before the custom install.

Now the only problem I am having is getting the CD drive to work so I can install all my other programs. To get the CD drive working is my only option to do a System Recovery?

So you had already reinstalled Win7 using the Product Key on the COA? That's the only way you'd have a useable key to audit with Belarc. The PC ships with a factory SLP batch key that can't be used to reactivate.

Are there any drivers missing in Device Manager after running all rounds of Important and Optional Updates?

Look in Disk Management to see if the drive appears and is lettered. If not Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums.

Check the cable connections.

Try another OD.

gregrocker said:

So you had already reinstalled Win7 using the Product Key on the COA? That's the only way you'd have a useable key to audit with Belarc. The PC ships with a factory SLP batch key that can't be used to reactivate.

Hi Greg, you're right. I had to activate it by phone just as you said. It didn't ask me for this until today. When I entered that code, it didn't give me a fail message so I thought it was correct.

I am all set up now though.

But yeah, the drive it there and labeled. It will play DVD's but not CDs. I ran all the windows updates.