Is A Windows 7 Reformatting Necessary?

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  1. Posts : 14
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #1

    Is A Windows 7 Reformatting Necessary?


    Hi all.

    My computer went from perfectly working to a big mess.

    Basically, last week, I was having problems with my Chrome (too laggy) and decided to switch to Firefox, which I hadn't used in 2 years. The browser immediately decided to auto-update and after it did, within an hour, I got my first-ever BSOD on my laptop.

    My computer restarted, thankfully, but then it gave me options to test for stability. One of the options was Disk Check at the next reboot, which I accepted. BIG mistake!

    At the next reboot, the disk check took quite a while. It seemed to keep finding errors with certain files and after much waiting, it began to mark them as orphaned. I had no choice but to wait it out.

    Once my laptop rebooted, everything was a mess! Here are the issues:

    • My windows desktop background was all black - no wallpapers/themes seem to show up.
    • My wireless connection was no more, and now it has a big red X on it.
    • All the icons in my Windows Explorer, which were set to Large are no longer working. I had to decrease them to Medium in order for them to show up again. NO idea what this is about...
    • When I tried to run a diagnostic on the wireless, it says, "Scripted diagnostic native host has stopped working".
    • It gives me the option to "debug" on the above error, but when I choose that option, it says something about JIT is not specified.
    • When I try to look at Event Viewer, it won't let me.
    • It keeps giving me an error that the Microsoft Management Console has stopped working.


    I have run an sfscan in CMD and it came back with errors found but could not be repaired. I tried to look at the CBS.log file, but it wouldn't let me - however, I was able to finally extract it...though it means nothing to me...

    I took my laptop to a a local tech who ran a complete HD scan, and said the problem is not with my hard drive, but the OS seems to be corrupted and is unstable. He could reformat the computer for me from the partitioned OS on my drive, but he'd charge me money I don't have right now.

    I also hadn't backed up oodles of my data, so I brought the computer back home and have spent the entire night backing things up on an external hard drive.

    I'd like to think there is an alternate option to a complete reformat, but I don't know. Also, my laptop did not come with the Windows 7 recovery or OS disks, and I don't have a back up of that. But this tech guy said I should be able to reformat my computer from the partition using F9?

    I am still able to connect to the internet hard-wired (which is how I'm on this forum), but I'd like to stabilize my computer and get things back to working order.

    Other things of note:

    1. I tried to do a system restore on the night of the BSOD but the computer couldn't complete it; I tried this several times and picked several different points, but nope.

    2. I have run several virus check programs (Malware Bytes, Avast, and Emergency Kit Scanner).
    • Malware Bytes marked several files in my Photoshop CS6 as trojan, but they were false positives.
    • Avast picked several other .tmp files and I allowed it to delete it.
    • Emergency Kit Scanner froze at 69% check, after 2 hours of scanning.

    3. I tried to update the BIOS from the manufacturer's website and ran it via Winflash. It seemed to run it fine and asked for a reboot, but once I did reboot it, the screen went black for a worrisome amount of time, so I had to manually power off the laptop, at which point it came up with "Go to Setup to revert back to a previous working BIOS". So I did, and discarded the most recent BIOS update.

    The only other alternative I've seen on this forum is the Repair Install of Windows 7, but that requires the ISO to be put on a USB flash drive/DVD, neither of which I have right now (nor can afford - sad but true). Plus, I don't even know if that would work of if that's what I need or not.

    So...what am I missing? What have I not done? What alternatives do I have? Or is my poor laptop destined for a reformat??

    My laptop details:

    Asus G72GX
    6.00GB Ram
    64 Bit
    Windows Home Premium
    Intel Core2 Duo CPU P8700 @2.53GHz

    Help...please.
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    Formatting is only an inconsequential step which would complete itself if you forgot it during a Clean Reinstall.

    Look over the steps to see how close you come to having a perfect install, as that is what you will have and keep if you stick with only the tools and methods given.

    Since you've backed up your files, I would delete all partitions during install to create new as you wish.

    Be sure to pay attention to how drivers are handled in Win7 as it is not at all like XPired.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 14
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    gregrocker said:
    Formatting is only an inconsequential step which would complete itself if you forgot it during a Clean Reinstall.

    Look over the steps to see how close you come to having a perfect install, as that is what you will have and keep if you stick with only the tools and methods given.

    Since you've backed up your files, I would delete all partitions during install to create new as you wish.

    Be sure to pay attention to how drivers are handled in Win7 as it is not at all like XPired.
    Thanks. I'm going to need some hand-holding through this process because it'll be my first and I don't want to mess it up.

    Here are my questions:

    1. Which version of the Windows 7 ISO will I need?

    2. Is there no way to do a clean install without a USB flash or DVD? I was under the impression that it can be done via the recovery partition on the laptop. The laptop manual gives an explanation for the Recovery process. Should I not be using that method?

    3. I can reinstall using the Recovery partition, which option do I want to choose: 1st partition, to entire HD, or 2 partitions?

    4. Which of the drivers (my laptop has both 32bit and 64bit) do I need to download beforehand so as to get the laptop working again? There seem to be several options for each driver...not sure which one I need.

    5. Do I need to export my browser bookmarks? I use Chrome and apparently if you're signed into your Google account, it auto-syncs your books. How well does this actually work?

    6. Any way to save my passwords that have been saved on my computer for various websites?

    I'm sure I'll have more questions, but this will give me a head start.

    Thank you.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #4

    You need the windows 7 version that came with your pc, most likely Home Premium 64 bit.

    Yes you can run system restore from the bios, it should show you which key to push when you 1st start the pc.

    Get your network drivers from the manufactures website before you start.

    Yes you should save your favorites.

    You should have written your passwords down or you should have them memorized.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 14
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    AddRAM said:
    You need the windows 7 version that came with your pc, most likely Home Premium 64 bit.

    Yes you can run system restore from the bios, it should show you which key to push when you 1st start the pc.
    There are two versions listed at that that link:

    1. Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 (old) X17-24209.iso

    2. Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 U (media refresh) X17-58997.iso

    How do I know which one I'll need? I have Windows 7 SP1 Home Premium on my laptop right now.

    Although if I can just do this entire thing from my laptop's own Recovery partition as explained here, I'd much prefer it.

    As far as restore from the BIOs, can you give me a link (or step-by-step explanation) on how to do this?

    Thanks.
    Last edited by HollyDay; 07 Jun 2013 at 23:11.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #6

    What version did you have on your pc ?

    The sticker on the bottom of the laptop will tell you.

    I told you how to start the factory restore, it will show you what key to push when you 1st turn on the pc.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 14
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    AddRAM said:
    What version did you have on your pc ?
    I don't know? It just says Windows 7 SP1, but I had never heard of a media refresh vs "old".

    Here's the info:
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    Recovery is not a Clean reinstall - it is the opposite, loaded with bloatware and duplicate utilties that have better versions built into Win7 and throttle it's native performance.

    You can try running Asus Factory Recovery if you are not ready to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. If you don't use a separate data partition for your data then choose one partition.

    When you're ready to get the superior Clean Reinstall you'd want to download X17-58997.iso and write to stick or burn to DVD, do a Custom Install deleting all partitions during the process. Be sure to make your Recovery media first so yo have a path back, or save a Win7 backup image.

    I'd google how to export your Chrome bookmarks so you have a backup if the sync doesn't import them for you after you sign into it after Recovery or Reinstall.

    You'll need to write down your passwords if you don't know them. These are removed when you empty your browser history or cookies anyway, which you should be doing periodically using CCleaner or SuperAntiSpyware as suggested in Reinstall tutorial. Many cookies spy on you so need to be emptied regularly even though good ones holding passwords get thrown out with the bath water.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #9

    It`s most likely Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

    What is the exact make and model of the laptop.

    It`s not in your specs.

    Did you find the sticker ?
    Last edited by AddRAM; 22 Apr 2015 at 17:53.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 14
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    gregrocker said:
    Recovery is not a Clean reinstall - it is the opposite, loaded with bloatware and duplicate utilties that have better versions built into Win7 and throttle it's native performance.
    Yes, I'd read about the bloatware...

    You can try running Asus Factory Recovery if you are not ready to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. If you don't use a separate data partition for your data then choose one partition.
    I never partitioned my laptop. I just opened up the box and began using it. Is this what you mean about using a separate partition for data?

    When you're ready to get the superior Clean Reinstall you'd want to download X17-58997.iso and write to stick or burn to DVD, do a Custom Install deleting all partitions during the process. Be sure to make your Recovery media first so yo have a path back, or save a Win7 backup image.
    If I'm going to all the trouble of doing any of this (), I'd rather go the superior route. But I sort of get lost where you talk about "custom install" and deleting all partitions. Are there steps for this? Or will the options be presented to me at the install? And how do I save a Win7 backup image? I tried Googling that and it was very confusing, because I didn't know what the Windows Explorer path is to locate it. Does this also need to be written to a DVD? Can it be the same DVD as the ISO?
    I'd google how to export your Chrome bookmarks so you have a backup if the sync doesn't import them for you after you sign into it after Recovery or Reinstall.
    Every answer so far seems to be, "just sign into your Google account". But I'll keep searching for an alternate route.
    You'll need to write down your passwords if you don't know them. These are removed when you empty your browser history or cookies anyway, which you should be doing periodically using CCleaner or SuperAntiSpyware as suggested in Reinstall tutorial. Many cookies spy on you so need to be emptied regularly even though good ones holding passwords get thrown out with the bath water.
    The passwords are the least of my worries, I suppose. It'd be nice to save them from a file, but if I have to resubmit for resets, it's alright.

    This sounds sooo complicated. And scary.
      My Computer


 
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