Continuous Installation

[Tousdae]

Almost all Registry Cleaners besides CCleaner are scam sales operations with no genius behind them.

In your case, I recommend getting a perfect clean reinstall, then save a backup image after setup so you never have to reinstall again: Reinstalling Windows 7

We're here to help as needed.

I have CC Cleaner too, so why I thought I needed Reg Defense (which I paid for) .. I don't know. Ok well I've spent some hours on this today and can't anymore. Tomorrow is busy too but this has to get done. I'll try to do this stuff tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[Tousdae]

Greg's suggestion for a clean install is a good one.

I've done clean installs, but never with using windows backup as I never had the space for that to happen. I'm using 2 drives now and have been backing my system up. Um ... I'll have to read about how to go about doing it.

Incidentally ... the windows update hasn't popped up anymore. I guess if I scan for it, it might say it, it did before. I've done things to this pc since then though. Should I be doing a clean install when the update hasn't popped up in quite awhile? Should I search for updates and see what happens? It hasn't happened since I downloaded and used the 2nd thing from Greg's 1st link in one of his posts.

 

[gregrocker]

I would always keep Updates set to Automatic as Win7 Updates are very reliable when not intefered with by Registry Cleaners.

If you have no other performance problems and the problem doesn't reoccur then you can take your time deciding what you want to do.

 

[Tousdae]

I would always keep Updates set to Automatic as Win7 Updates are very reliable when not intefered with by Registry Cleaners.

If you have no other performance problems and the problem doesn't reoccur then you can take your time deciding what you want to do.

I'm going to have to do the clean install. The darn thing is back. I'll have to read up on this back up system and make sure I do another back up before I go for it. I hope it's a whole lot more easy to do than putting everything back via disk and usb sticks. I JUST got thru doing this when I set up the new pc. It took hours and 3 days worth of time. *sigh*

Curious ... which is better? Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional? I own both discs. Wondering which I should install.

Thank you everyone. I guess I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[Tousdae]

1 more thing .. I have a question about MSE. I'm in the area where you schedule your scans. It says here "Limit CPU usage during scan to ...." and is set on 50%. Should I keep that there?

I like MSE. Thanks

 

[Tousdae]

I did the clean install. I'm restoring my files. What do I do with them once they are restored?

 

[gregrocker]

Hope you didn't use WET to reimport your settings, as this is a corruption path.

Best method for backing up files is to drag User folders to external, then drag them back in.

How is performance?

 

[Tousdae]

... what do you mean it's a corruption path? WET is the windows back up and restore program? I used that. It didn't put things back where they go. I had to drag .. well copy and paste everything from the folders to the OS drive. I had no sound for awhile and was out of my mind with that then found the disk. I ended up using my old 7 disk as there was no key for the one that was installed on the new pc that I bought. When I thought that I might have to do another clean install I called the pc maker and they said the key is in there and it's ok. Is that true?

Soo... My email .. I lost all my contacts and my calendar. Is that normal? The contacts are no problem. The calendar is another matter. I count on that thing far more than I should.

Are you supposed to have to install everything all over again? It might have been easier to do my usb/dvd method of backing up rather than with the program although I did drag a ton of folders to the other drive last night too, not confident I'd be backed up properly.

 

[Tousdae]

AH HA! I logged into the online mail from the calendar and it imported all my dates!!! I see, too, that it somehow automatically updates from the pc program to online as I didn't add a ton of dates online and they were there.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you enable hardware auto-updating then check optional Windows Updates for newer drivers or those not given by installer? Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware

In the future, you don't have to go out of your mind if Sound or something is missing, just google the exact Device name from Device manager to find the driver, or import it from the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

Every computer sold with Win7 is required by law to have a COA sticker with the Win7 Product Key on it. If it's not there, call your computer maker to ask why. If you installed another key in a panic, just change the Key at Computer>Properties activation link.

I find it easier to put everything in the seven User sub-folders and then drag them or my named User folder to external. However, you should research where your email and any other program data is stored first so you include that file as it might have been in a hidden Program Data or Appdata folder which is where settings are kept, and ones which I try to avoid importing en masse since they can bring corruption into a fresh install.

 

[Tousdae]

I go into device manager, click on the software, go into properties and look for driver updates that way. I'll check out your link.

Yep, no sticker on the key. They just said that it's in the program and it's all good. Hmph.

Plus the windows recovery ... It first did a backup on 4/6 .. then 2 more times until I did one the night before my planned clean install. It put everything back from the 6th and the other 2 times I updated which just gave me more work. Now I can't delete the "new location" folder that it put everything into on my main drive. Annoying.

 

[gregrocker]

Again, did you enable hardware auto-updating then check optional Windows Updates which is how Win7 provides the latest drivers not in the installer? This is not XP.

Use this rightclick shortcut to delete any file: Take Ownership Shortcut

What does it say under Activation status at Computer>Properties?

Your tech support needs to provide a COA sticker for preinstalled Win7 as required under the law. They also need to clarify by what they mean when they say that activation is "in the program" - does this mean SLP activation method is embedded in Recovery Disks? Did you make those?

They still need to provide you with a COA sticker, or call MS Customer Service to ask for their help.

 

[Tousdae]

Yes, I enabled the hardware updates and for drivers too. It's been trying to update something for ATI but it always fails. I used my old Windows 7 Prof disc instead of using the windows 7 Home that came with the pc because there wasn't a key. I didn't trust what he was saying ... even though Windows verified it was a legit copy.

 

[gregrocker]

Did someone sell you a self-activating Win7 DVD? This is likely a bootleg.

Or was this preinstalled on a machine you bought? If so, they need to give you the COA sticker with Product Key or it is also likely bootleg which is considered to be a theft.

 

[Tousdae]

Yep it was preinstalled. The copy of Windows 7 Prof I have is a retail copy.