Clean Install Windows 7 that was preinstalled on computer.

[coup d etat]

Hi, I need to perform a clean install of Windows 7. unfortunately, it was already installed on my computer when i bought it new from best buy about 6 months ago. as a result, they didnt feel a need to include any operating system discs. my level of computer understanding would be basic to intermediate i guess. from what i understand about a clean install, is that it will erase the operating system from the hard drive? so then i will be left without an OS on the hard drive, and no windows 7 install disc to pop in the disc tray. what do i do? ive read that there are both oem, and regular system recovery discs available for purchase, which could help with my problem, but, IVE ALREADY PAID FULL PRICE FOR THE OS. even though ive paid the full price; the same price as i would have paid if i took a windows 7 operating system off the shelf and bought it by itself. my computers performance has gone way down hill since i first started using it. my all in 1 printer/copier/scan/fax machine had stopped scanning, then printing. now i have a problem with IE8, which keeps telling me that a program has corrupted my computer and changed my default browser. i have been using webroot anti virus, glary utilities-freeware, malware bytes- freeware, Glary utilities- freeware, c cleaner- freeware, and aus logis disk defrag- freeware. just yesterday i decided to download auslogics speed boost, and auslogics registry defrag because i was so happy with the results of the auslogics product i had already been using. i have restored my computer to the image before the last 2 downloads (auslogics registry defrag, and auslogics speed boost), the programs were gone as expected, but the symptoms are still present. to bring a long story to an end, all i want to do is start over from scratch. from the moment i first turned the computer on to set up. any suggestions will be reviewed and greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Petey7]

Well, usually OEM computers have a recovery partition you can use to restore you computer to its original state. To be honest I'm not sure how to use them. I think you have to press F10 during the BIOS post in order to access it. If you have the manual for your computer, that should explain it.

Now for what caused the problem. Windows 7 built in defrag is much faster than previous versions and does a good job. It is also scheduled to run once a week by default, so you are covered on that end. Any other PC tuner or registry cleaner is unneeded and often causes the problems you describe or worst. CCleaner is reported by forum members to be reliable, but I choose not to use it. You also should have one real-time AV running (which it looks like you do). I'm willing to bet anything all the PC tuning software you use it what caused the problem.

Also, if you have a friend or relative with any version of Windows 7 retail you can do this:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html

All you have to do is pick the version you have one there now as the OS to be installed.

 

[gregrocker]

Most makers no longer include OS DVD so they can enforce the bloatware which provides most of their profit margin (exception: Business computers). This causes tech enthusiasts to locate a clean-copy installer for their version, or unlock all versions in any retail installer, to clean reinstall using the Product Key on COA sticker affixed to computer.

First make your Recovery disks or save a Win7 backup image so you have a path back to factory condition. This also leaves you free to delete the Recovery partition and any OEM partition since most factory utilities will have their links broken when you clean reinstall.

Next wipe the HD to get rid of all factory code: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-optimize-windows-re-installation.html Then clean install following these steps: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device.

Install programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets.

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall.

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly.

Then save a Win7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD.


I also would also not tweak Win7. Beta Testers learned over a year's testing time that tweaks are not needed and actually work against you. I only use CCleaner and Auslogics Defraggers monthly to keep HD perfectly clean and ordered.

 

[coup d etat]

will the force be with me?

thank you jedi master, for shining a light saber on what seems to be my problem. that sounds kind of cocky but not intended to be. ill be more careful about what programs i use in the future, although im fairly thorough with combing through editor and user reviews before downloading. as you can see, they are all highly rated. and i only download from cnet. i was thinking maybe it was a little overkill,(having ALL of those programs) but i figured it would beat getting a virus, or having my computer turn into mollasses with all the junk files that are created. i do have real time av protection with the webroot (free 6 month trial). do you think a clean install would solve my problems?

 

[coup d etat]

ive just created a repair disc for windows 7 64 bit. currently reading up on the next step. THANK YOU EVERYONE, these forums are a big help.

 

[Petey7]

Its been a long time since I've used webroot, and I can't really find on the website if you would have it or not. Did it come with the computer? It might be one of the paid-for versions. I also recommend Microsoft Security Essentials over Webroot.

I don't mean to sound cocky, but I have helped a number of people on here with problem caused by registry cleaners, including the Auslogics Reg defrag, to know they cause trouble. Several members on the site will tell you the same. As I said before, Ccleaner seems to be safe from what I hear, even from people the swear against using any other tune=up/registry cleaner software.

 

[coup d etat]

yeah the webroot came with the purchase of the computer. it is the full version, only it is set to expire in 6 months from date of activation. i have about two and a half months left. ill make sure to compare ms security essentials when im looking around. webroot has been good so far. i was attacked by that virus that looks just like your control panel, only its in the browser window, and it basically says hey your computer is f*cked, click repair to repair problems. webroot caught it and quarantined it automatically, i did a sweep with webroot, removed it and then ran malware bytes. the combination of the two helped me feel secure in knowing that i wasnt infected, but i ran a sweep with glary utilities anyway. btw i sweep my computer with webroot at least once a day. is that harmful?

 

[Petey7]

No. That is very, very good. I do the same with MSE and run a scan with MBAM once a week.

 

[bigmck]

yeah the webroot came with the purchase of the computer. it is the full version, only it is set to expire in 6 months from date of activation. i have about two and a half months left. ill make sure to compare ms security essentials when im looking around. webroot has been good so far. i was attacked by that virus that looks just like your control panel, only its in the browser window, and it basically says hey your computer is f*cked, click repair to repair problems. webroot caught it and quarantined it automatically, i did a sweep with webroot, removed it and then ran malware bytes. the combination of the two helped me feel secure in knowing that i wasnt infected, but i ran a sweep with glary utilities anyway. btw i sweep my computer with webroot at least once a day. is that harmful?

Just to give you an idea of how these little programs can foul up your machine, here is what happened to me. == I was having a problem with Spam. I purchase a spam program. It worked good for seveal months, then my CD drive stopped working. I took it in the shop and after alot of looking, he found that the Spam program was messing up the CD. He deleted the program and it worked fine. Just be aware of programs. They can do strange things.

 

[gregrocker]

Did your performance problems begin after the infection? If so, it seems that you might still have some infection. If you click on the fake virus scan it releases a flood of infection which few AV's can catch all at once.

Try System Restoring to before the infection, then choose a free bootable AV scan to burn to CD from here: FREE Bootable AntiVirus Rescue CDs Download List

A bootable AV scan is preferred since it leaves the viruses with no place to hide in running OS files.

Then try uninstalling and reinstalling your printer/scanner software.

You may need to wipe the HD to get out all traces of infection, then clean reinstall using the method I posted.

 

[coup d etat]

im not sure if the problems are stemming from that attempt the virus made on my computer. i saw that the fake control panel screen was opened in the browser immediately, and did not click on anything in the window. i opened webroot and began a sweep which it picked up on the virus almost instantly, and automatically quarantined it. as webroot was running its course, i opened the task manager and ended all tasks other than webroot.
i reviewed the rescue cd download list that you threaded the link for, and i think that the trinity program seems best. do you have an opinion on that particular rescue program? also, i forgot to mention that all of my music that i ripped to windows media player is gone. all 100 and something albums. what a waste of time that was.
id also like to download a rescue disc for my linux based machine. i see that that list contains linux compatable rescues. thanks for that resource, i wasnt aware of that type of av scan.

 

[coup d etat]

ten minutes ago i attemted to download the kapersky rescue file. it has made absolutely no progress. no estimated time left, nothing. i went to cnet to download something just to see if this was going to be a problem with all downloads. same thing happened.

 

[madtownidiot]

By the way, manufacturers are required by Microsoft to provide a clean OS install disk to their customers on demand as part of their OEM contract. I would call Gateway support and ask for one and if they give you any grief, as they are likely to do, demand to speak to a supervisor.

 

[gregrocker]

ten minutes ago i attemted to download the kapersky rescue file. it has made absolutely no progress. no estimated time left, nothing. i went to cnet to download something just to see if this was going to be a problem with all downloads. same thing happened.

This is characteristic of these infections which have the ability to block the very scanners which can catch them. I have overcome them by rolling System Restore back as far as it will go, then running a boot time scan and Malwarebytes. But I got lucky in those cases.

What needs to happen now is boot the Win7 installer to wipe the HD then clean reinstall. Call your manufacturer to demand a Win7 install DVD as they are required to provide under their agreement to dispense OEM software with MS.

 

[coup d etat]

Problems solved

just posting a follow up, to maybe help anyone else who is experiencing this problem.

my computer is 5 months old and despite having an antivirus which is always on, and used to scan my computer 1-3 times a day, i got a virus. this virus corrupted core files in the windows 7 OS, and led to my all in one printer not functioning properly (unable to print or scan), errors with internet explorer(messages that say a program has corrupted default internet browser), errors with windows media player(all media was lost prior to clean install), and small annoying things that i cant recount now, as im overwhelmed with happiness that my computer is running better than ever.
however, while a clean install can help optimize your computer by getting rid of all the bloatware that your computer manufacturer has preinstalled, you can go a step further by doing some other custom configurations, such as disabling all unneeded programs that have written themselves into msconfig>startup (type msconfig startup in start menu search bar). this will give you a lighning fast startup.

ill try to recount as best i can the main points of the clean install, and other things to consider.

first burn a copy of the recovery media from your computer. burning a system repair disk wouldnt hurt either. the recovery disk will allow you to restore your computer to factory default settings. including bloatware. this is good to have if you have a warranty on your hardware, and the manufacturer requires that the machine have all the factory settings. (if needed in the future, i will just create a new partition for the factory reinstall, and order that partition to be booted first in the BIOS menu before shipping out). save any files to cd or flash drive that you dont want to lose, and keep them quarantined there until you can run an AV scan, to ensure that the virus isnt there to infect your new clean install.

the next step is to wipe the hard drive using this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

now you can clean install following these steps: Clean Install Windows 7
*** if you have an OEM operating system (OS is preinstalled, and you dont have any OS software) you will need to locate and unlock a Windows 7 installer. do this before wiping the harddrive. your product key will activate Windows 7 as long as you do have a valid liscense.

the installer is pretty much driver complete. you will get more drivers that are needed in the first windows update. however i ran into a problem here. i needed a driver for ethernet that was not included in the installer. without this driver i could not get online to download and install windows updates. go to the start menu search bar and type "device manager". carefully expand all tabs and look for yellow exclamation points, these are missing drivers. (i only had two, one of which was the driver needed to get online and i found it under the other devices tab in device manager) youll need a computer connected to the internet for the next step. i had to find the driver from the manufacturers website support page, download it, save to a cd, and put it in the machine that it belongs to, extract all files, and right click on the autorun icon and open as administrator. that did it for me. after installing the driver i was able to get online and get the windows updates.

now you need to immediately install an anti virus program. i had webroot (paid version) but got infected, now im using Microsoft Security Essentials(freeware) which was recommended as it works perfectly with windows firewall.

now that youre protected, download ccleaner, auslogics disk defrag, and auslogics registry defrag, these are all free programs that work great and come highly regarded. run them in the order listed above, and make sure you use default settings. dont check or uncheck any boxes or change any other settings. these programs will clean and order your hard drive, defragment the hard drive, and defragment the registry.

now that you have all the core programs and drivers downloaded type msconfig startup in the start menu search bar. uncheck any programs that arent needed to startup the computer. leave your antivirus checked so it loads on startup. printers, messengers, and any other unneeded programs at start up will just bog your computer down. unchecking the unneeded startup programs will give you a faster startup, and faster processing in general as youre not constantly running a bunch of programs. now those programs will only load up when you open them yourself.

now, save a windows 7 backup image externally so you never have to do all of this again. thats it!

Thanks to everyone who helped me, and i hope that this helps anyone who is experiencing the same problems.

this forum is a great resource, i wouldnt have been able to do all this myself with my limited knowledge of computers, but now im confident that i could help a friend if they run into this problem.

 

[gregrocker]

Glad you sorted it out and it sounds like you have a great install.

This is what one has to go through to get the cleanest possible install on today's store-bought computers with their pre-installed sponsored bloatware.

As profit margins got thinner, one-by-one each maker stopped assisting clean reinstalls in order to enforce the factory bloatware which might make up their entire profit margin. Mr. Norton doesn't want to miss the annual Rolls upgrade.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If you want to remove some entries from the startup file this little guide at Option Two will show you how.


Troubleshooting with MSCONFIG

 

[coup d etat]

couldnt have done it without your assistance Greg.

thanks for the msconfig troubleshoot link BFK.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

You're welcome, I'm just glad some find it useful.

 

[gregrocker]

You did it bud. Think how much you've learned about your computer. Now you can teach others.