upgrade over bad Win7 install

Sky · 17 Dec 2009

I upgraded from vista ultimate to Win7 using Dell supplied upgrade disks. This was a mistake because either I had previous problems I did not know about or the upgrade injected some. Now I have a brand new retail Win7 Ultimate upgrade disk. Any recomendations as to the method I should use to install it would be appreciated. If I do a normal upgrade over what I have now I am afraid I might have the same problems still there. I can't format the C: drive as it is the system drive. Any sugggestions?
Bob

richc46 · 17 Dec 2009

Sky said:

I upgraded from vista ultimate using Dell supplied upgrade disks. This was a mistake because either I had previous problems I did not know about or the upgrade injected some. Now I have a retail Win7 Ultimate upgrade disk. Any recomendations as to the method I should use would be appreciated. If I do a normal upgrade over what I have now I am afraid I might have the same problems still there. I can't format the C: drive as it is the system drive. Any sugggestions?
Bob

You will be surprised and happy with this answer and it will work.
First, set your BIOS to boot from DVD. Your dell manual will tell you correct key to push. I think it is either f2 or f12 while booting. You press the key quickly and repeatedly.

Then begin to install.

When you get to the screen asking for custom or upgrade, select the advanced option. Format your hard drive, (you can format it) and make as many partitions that you require. Only one is needed for the installation to work properly..
Then format and continue with the clean install. When asked for your key do not give it.

Give your key when the installation is completed, you tried it, you installed your programs and you are happy (before30 days). Then make a system image and put it away in a safe place.

Yes you just did a clean install, just like you had the full retail DVD of win 7. It works, its legit and MS knows.

For further information, just go to our tutorial section and you can get more detail, but essentially, my information will work

My last advice, which should always be done. Make a system image of what you have now and put the copy in a safe place. If things go wrong, as they often do, you can just restore your HD, to the present condition and try again.

gregrocker · 17 Dec 2009

You should be able to clean install from DVD as Rich outlines, getting the cleanest possible install by formatting the drive first, using the Dell-provided Win7 Upgrade DVD.

This way you can save your retail Win7 license for use on another machine.

MS required that manufacturer's provided a clean copy of Win7 DVD with their Upgrade Kits. Most of the drivers are on the DVD, others can be found on the Dell CD which came with the kit, along with favorite applications. Even others can be found on the Dell Support Downloads page for your model.

The Win7 DVD included in the Upgrade kit has a $100+ value but can only be used on that Dell S/N. So if you don't use it, you are wasting that value plus the retail Win7 you separately purchased which would otherwise be free to put on another machine, and is migratable to future machines (since it's retail) while the Dell is locked to the hardware.

Sky · 18 Dec 2009

Hi Greg, Many thanks to both you and Rich for the helpful replies. I used the Dell upgrade discs and ended up with problems. I try to mark a web page as a favorite, it locks up internet explorer forever. Other smaller problems showed up and I had never had any troubles with Vista like many people had.

I would love to save the retail disk because I have a place to use it. The Dell disk is already installed albeit with problems. I thought of trying it again but I don't remember it giving me the format option. I don't recall any option for Custom or clean install but the old memory isn't what it used to be. Just reinstalling over itself might cause more problems than I have now but I suppose I would only be back where I am now and could still use the solution Rich suggested.

I have made an image using Acronis True Image Home 2010 and have it stored on two other computers. Thanks again to both of you for your help and please don't hesitate to pass on any further thoughts either of you may have. As of now I think I will play with the Dell setup and if no joy there I will have to bite the bullet and try the other method Rich described. Either way I will post the results before the weekend is over.

richc46 · 18 Dec 2009

Sky said:

Hi Greg, Many thanks to both you and Rich for the helpful replies. I used the Dell upgrade discs and ended up with problems. I try to mark a web page as a favorite, it locks up internet explorer forever. Other smaller problems showed up and I had never had any troubles with Vista like many people had.

I would love to save the retail disk because I have a place to use it. The Dell disk is already installed albeit with problems. I thought of trying it again but I don't remember it giving me the format option. I don't recall any option for Custom or clean install but the old memory isn't what it used to be. Just reinstalling over itself might cause more problems than I have now but I suppose I would only be back where I am now and could still use the solution Rich suggested.

I have made an image using Acronis True Image Home 2010 and have it stored on two other computers. Thanks again to both of you for your help and please don't hesitate to pass on any further thoughts either of you may have. As of now I think I will play with the Dell setup and if no joy there I will have to bite the bullet and try the other method Rich described. Either way I will post the results before the weekend is over.

Hi
I read your post and was disappointed that things did not work out this time. But, there is always hope that my idea will work out.
I had another thought. Dell is really good, they gave you a DVD, that if used will return your computer to the state that it was, when you first received it. If you want to use the upgrade disc, which is a very good idea, why not return the computer to the state that it was when purchased, then try to use the upgrade disc that you received from dell. That should work. I think you are having problems, now, trying to upgrade with that disc, because, as you said, things may be messed up.
Whatever happens, make sure you keep us informed, as we may be able to help and if things do work out, your answers will help others.
Take care, till our paths cross again.