Windows 7 Cannot Install After Factory Reset

DRProcek · 01 Aug 2015

Going to say right off that I have very little knowledge on computers, so I probably won't understand any complex solutions. Hopefully it won't have to come to that.

My mom factory reset her computer as a last resort after we couldn't fix the multitude of problems it had, but after the reset completed, Windows refused to install back onto the system. Originally we had been getting a message that Windows 7 was not compatible with her laptop (which is store bought Acer, not custom-built). However, prior to the reset we had been running Windows 7 just fine. This message, which included an error code, only showed up one time, and we haven't been able to get the error code since (unfortunately I never wrote it down).

Now when we try to start it, it says "setup is starting services." That operation fails, and we get a pop-up that says "Windows could not complete the installation.To install Windows on this computer, restart the installation." Clicking OK just makes the same message pop-up again, and no matter how many times we restart the installation, we just return back to this.

The only solution I've seen suggested in my research of the problem is to try reinstalling Windows via the OS installation disc. However, to my knowledge we have never had a disc to do this with, so that isn't an option for us.

Are there other solutions? My mom's schooling depends on having a working computer, so we're understandably freaking out.

Thanks in advance.

ThrashZone · 02 Aug 2015

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
I would first try to recover your files this is a little complicated but there's a good video available :)
Emergency Kit - save your files from a dead OS

Then after that I would just go ahead and prepare for the worst case and buy win-7 again from either Newegg or Amazon
If you know which bit 32 or 64 and 7 Home Premium or 7 Pro you had before ?
If not post the SNID and brand computer and we might be able to look it up on the manufactures website for you,
The SNID is a tag on usually the bottom of a laptop and or on the side of a desktop that also has the windows activation key on it = We do not need the Key just the SNID # it will tell everything about the machine you bought.

DRProcek · 02 Aug 2015

Okay, so we've tried the options that you've suggested, and the download tools necessary just don't seem to work with my computer for some reason or other. We also used the links as a starting point to find other possible solutions, but they all required programs that we again didn't seem to work.

We also don't have the product key because it is faded on the laptop, and I've tried several methods of retrieving my own key to see if there would be any possibility of getting my mom's, but I continually got error message.

At this point, we've just decided the best course of action would be to buy Windows 10 for her computer, when we can spare the money; luckily she should be getting student loans soon, so we'll just use that to account for the cost so that she can complete her schooling with that computer.

Anyway, thank you for your advice.

ThrashZone · 02 Aug 2015

Hi,
Well there was this deal that Newegg.com was having not sure if it's still going on or not
Best deals of the day

But yes the other process does require a fairly good size flash drive and another computer to download Linux and 1 utility to make the iso bootable
All the links are there :/

Ztruker · 02 Aug 2015

Before you spend any money,, install the free Windows 10 upgrade.

I realize the computer doesn't boot so you would clean install Windows 10 which means you will not be able to activate it but you will be able to use it for a month or so until you can afford to buy it.

See these tutorials:

Windows 10 ISO Download
This one allows you to download a Windows 10 ISO then burn a DVD to use to do a Clean Install with or create flash drive to Clean Install from.

Windows 10 - Clean Install
This one provides good instruction on how to do a Clean Install.

You could also try doing the restore to factory state again. What is the full Acer model number. You should be able to start the recovery by pressing a Fn key during boot since you can't boot the OS to start it from there.

DRProcek · 02 Aug 2015

Ztruker said:

Before you spend any money,, install the free Windows 10 upgrade.

I realize the computer doesn't boot so you would clean install Windows 10 which means you will not be able to activate it but you will be able to use it for a month or so until you can afford to buy it.

See these tutorials:

Windows 10 ISO Download
This one allows you to download a Windows 10 ISO then burn a DVD to use to do a Clean Install with or create flash drive to Clean Install from.

Windows 10 - Clean Install
This one provides good instruction on how to do a Clean Install.

You could also try doing the restore to factory state again. What is the full Acer model number. You should be able to start the recovery by pressing a Fn key during boot since you can't boot the OS to start it from there.

The model number appears to be "PEW71". It seems short to me, but it is the only number on the back of the computer that actually says "model no.".

DRProcek · 02 Aug 2015

Update: I thought I mentioned it, but I actually can't use those download links because I don't have access to the product key. It's too faded to read.

ThrashZone · 03 Aug 2015

What was wrong with this download ?
Linux Mint 17.1 "Rebecca" - MATE (64-bit) - Linux Mint
Scroll down the list for USA James Madison university
Save the file
Post any error messages
Also post what security your using and browser.

It would be best to try to recover her personal files.