How to get back to a previous Windows 7 installation?

I have a Gateway NE56R with a x64 bit system. I re-installed Windows 7 but it messed up a lot of my settings so I want to go back to my old installation.

I still have my Windows.old folder, and I'm not very tech savvy...does anyone know the easiest way to go about this?

P.S. I tried following this: How to restore a Windows 7-based computer to a previous Windows installation by using the Windows.old folder but it says "If you are restoring back to a previous Windows 7 installation, you may need to Install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 to that installation." and I have no idea what that last part means.

P.P.S I do not have the original Windows 7 installation CD.

AddRAM said:

It didn`t mess up any of your settings, when you re install windows it`s back to square 1. You have to make windows like you had it all over again.

Why did you re install windows ?

Haha, that's what I meant. Everything is just giving me trouble, even though I've installed all drivers from the gateway website and have restored my old settings.

I kept getting the BSOD, and nothing seemed to solve it. Someone suggested I re-install Windows, so I did. To the person's credit, I am BSOD-free.

whs said:

The service pack 1 is just another update that you probably need not worry about.

You can get a Windows 7 iso from here. With that you can burn an installation DVD. Make sure you get exactly the one that is specified for the key on your COA sticker.

Windows 7 Direct Download Links, Official Disk Images from Digital River

Thank you, I'll try that!! Just to clarify, that will get me back to the exact condition my PC was in when I first turned it on, right?

whs said:

The service pack 1 is just another update that you probably need not worry about.

You can get a Windows 7 iso from here. With that you can burn an installation DVD. Make sure you get exactly the one that is specified for the key on your COA sticker.

Windows 7 Direct Download Links, Official Disk Images from Digital River

Actually, just encountered a problem. My COA sticker says "X16-96072" but that's not on the above list.

whs said:

That's a Windows 7 Home Premium.

Oh, I thought I had to match the key on my COA sticker to those... Wouldn't this just give me a brand-new Windows? It wouldn't solve my problem, if so. I want to go back to exact configuration my PC was equipped with originally. Like a factory reset. Only I can't do that because I need my old Windows...

Ok, let me redirect this question: Is there a way I can get my hands on Gateway's factory configuration of my PC (NE56R12u) and download that?