Corrupt windows files after Factory reset and window update won't work

[Vike]

Hello,
After a faulty harddrive (one of a RAID 0 array), both of which were replaced by twice the capacity HDDs, I restored from a system image, having changed my RAID Assembly to RAID 1. However I had many problem with my setup, one of which was the complete inability to download anything, whatever browser I was using. I finally bit the bullet and did a factory reset. I used a system recovery disk I had created when I first bought my system, back in Aug 2010. I also decided to relocate my user and Program Data folders using audit mode. All seemed well until I tried to run Windows Update. (Windows 7). It would not run. giving me the error "Windows cannot run Windows update because the service is not running". I checked that both windows update and BITS were running, I renamed the Software Distribution folder and restarted Windows Update, all to no avail. I also ran a scannow which reported corrupt windows files.
How can I possibly be getting these errors after a complete Factory reset? Is it perhaps the fact that Dell Factory reset does not support audit mode to relocate User folders. I have also read that the Intel Rapid Storage Technology drivers may be affecting Windows update. I have run a factory reset before back in Dec 2011 and everything was fine.
Can anybody help me please?

 

[Ztruker]

Do the factory reset again but don't mess with the user and Program Data folders. Once that completes, try Windows Update.

If that doesn't fix the problem: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Follow the instruction in this note (in the tutorial):



I'd also suggest dumping the raid setup. Instead use the 2nd drive for backup.

 

[Vike]

Hi Ztrucker

Just seen your reply. Thanks. Are you saying that it is audit mode that is causing the problem and/or the RAID setup. Because I have used audit mode on another computer and it worked perfectly. The only difference was that it did not have a RAID assembly. In fact before I saw your reply I tried doing the Factory reset again but going straight into the normal account startup setup but I got the same problem. At the moment I am typing this on the errant computer having done a fresh install from a Windows 7 SP1 iso image (my original setup was pre SP1) and Windows Update finally worked. however at some point during installing my original drivers and software from the Dell Driver Disk, I ended up with Windows Update giving me the same problem.

 

[gregrocker]

In five years since earliest beta we've never seen anything here but trouble with RAID. I keep thinking that surely someone would stop by to tell us a success story but can't remember one.

Windows 7 doesn't like it, period. It offers no advantages in the day of SSD's except for handling huge video files, and there are huge drives now. It isn't even redundant so I would avoid it like the plague.

 

[Layback Bear]

Vike welcome to our forum.
Doing things the old school way isn't always bad.
In the case of Raid with Windows 7 in my opinion it is a old way bad thing.
I also haven't read and thing good about Raid using Windows 7. Their is so many methods of backing up things today to huge hard drives I really don't understand the need for it any more.
Vike you are new to our forum so I don't want you to think we are bashing you.
We just try to give advice and suggestions that will be helpful and do no harm.
Of course it's your computer so you have the final choice how to set it up.

 

[Vike]

Thanks Guys,

Here's where I am at the moment. I've done another clean install of Win 7 using my SP1 disk. I installed the network drivers so I could talk to Windows Update and you guys. I've completed all the updates successfully. (about 170 of them). Graphics card drivers and software installed. (I had to replace the original NVidea card that came with the system to an AMD Radeon HD7750.) I'm still in audit mode at the moment and I left the RAID 1 Assembly as it was, because I did all that last night and today before you told me how much RAID sucks.

So I'm going to continue installing any other drivers one at a time and check Windows Update and scannow after each one to see if anything breaks after a particular driver or software.

Best case scenario: it all goes well. Worst is that it goes T*ts up again when I'll ditch the RAID, have 4TB of space and start over using my original Factory Recovery Disk rather than the SP1, and do the updates from there.

If I do have to start again, can anyone tell me whether it's a good idea to go back that far ie Aug 2010 using my original Factory setting recovery disk, to save having to reinstall all drivers manually, or would I be better off doing a fresh install with the SP1 disk?

Thanks for the help.

 

[gregrocker]

Theres no need to force a bunch of drivers on a driver-complete OS like its XP.

Read the same Reinstall tutorial linked below to see how drivers are handled best in Win7.