Solved CS5 Won't Install on Windows 7. Adobe or Windows Problem?

[lambojack]

Well, all of the fixes have failed, so I am only left with the option of a clean install of Windows 7 (and all of the applications). I have never done a clean install. I assume that means I boot to the Windows 7 DVD, reformat the hard drive, then install a fresh version of Windows 7. Is this the procedure?

Thanks,

Jack

 

[seavixen32]

If you're in anyway unsure of the correct procedure, you can use this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[lambojack]

Thanks Seavixen,

Based on that tutorial, I don't even have to reformat my existing hard drive. I have been making a list of all the applications I currently have on my machine and weeding out many that are not all that important. It's like performing a triage. Not looking forward to all this....

Thanks,

Jack

 

[fseal]

Before you do the clean install, you want to save your user account and it's settings as well by using the "Windows Easy Transfer" to transfer your user account and settings to an external hard drive or thumb drive. It's under Start->Accessories->System Tools

That way you will avoid permissions problems with user account files (your new install will have a new user account ID even if you use the same name) and also it will copy your IE bookmarks and mail and anything else like that off your C drive to some place safe before the reinstall. Then you copy it back using the same program on the new install.

One thing I like to do in situations like this is basically buy a new HD and install fresh on that. That way you aren't destroying your old drive in the process and if something goes wrong or you forget to copy something off the C drive you always have the option of just plugging the old drive back in as if nothing happened!

If this is for buisness, that kind of insurance is WELL worth the $100. Keep the old drive around as long term backup of your machine to that point in time. I've gone back months later to retrieve data off some of my old drives that way that I forgot about or didn't think I needed at the time.

 

[lambojack]

Hi Seal,

I currently have an external 1TB hard drive that I use for whole system backup once a week. I have a software package called Bounceback Ultimate that allows me to create an image of the installed hard drive. I can even boot to the external if I want. I have already done a new backup yesterday so I should be OK. I was concerned about the Explorer Favorites, e-mail, etc. as you mentioned. I will take your advise about the permissions issue. It's nice to have all this expertise and experience available on this site. Thanks for the inputs.

Jack

 

[seavixen32]

Thanks Seavixen,

Based on that tutorial, I don't even have to reformat my existing hard drive. I have been making a list of all the applications I currently have on my machine and weeding out many that are not all that important. It's like performing a triage. Not looking forward to all this....

Thanks,

Jack

You're very welcome.

When you come to installing your applications, restart your computer after each one, download and install any updates and you should be fine.

 

[lambojack]

Hi Seavixen,

I have pretty much assembled everything I think I will need for a rebuild. My only apprehension is recreating my local wireless network here at home. I can't seem to find the software I used to set it up with the WAP encryption; it was a long time ago that I did all of that. But everything else should be OK. I expect I will have to get on the phone with some of the software makers and explain why I am reusing the registration key. Adobe has already said they would handle it on their end.

I am guessing you were a flyer with the RAF? I am a retired Chief Warrant Officer from the U.S. Navy (22 years).

Cheers,

Jack

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I was concerned about the Explorer Favorites, e-mail, etc. as you mentioned.

I would urge you to make independent backups of favorites and email and to NOT assume that Windows Easy Transfer will properly get them onto your new installation.

 

[seavixen32]

Have a look here: Setting up a home network

I wasn't a flyer or with the RAF.

I was an aircraft radio and radar maintainer with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in the 1960s and had reached the rank of Petty Officer at the end of my service career.

 

[lambojack]

I was concerned about the Explorer Favorites, e-mail, etc. as you mentioned.

I would urge you to make independent backups of favorites and email and to NOT assume that Windows Easy Transfer will properly get them onto your new installation.

I agree - I have all of it on my external hard drive. Before I start the rebuild, I plan on performing one final backup of the entire PC hard drive.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[lambojack]

Have a look here: Setting up a home network

I wasn't a flyer or with the RAF.

I was an aircraft radio and radar maintainer with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in the 1960s and had reached the rank of Petty Officer at the end of my service career.

View attachment 189303

Hi Seavixen,

Thanks for the link. I added it to my Favorites and it will end up on my external hard drive. I am almost ready to start the process.

Jack

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I was concerned about the Explorer Favorites, e-mail, etc. as you mentioned.

I would urge you to make independent backups of favorites and email and to NOT assume that Windows Easy Transfer will properly get them onto your new installation.

I agree - I have all of it on my external hard drive. Before I start the rebuild, I plan on performing one final backup of the entire PC hard drive.

Thanks,

Jack

While you are at it:

It addition to making a full backup of the hard drive, I would also do a formal export of favorites as they now exist on the current hard drive---from your browser.

Likewise for email if your email app allows it.

It might turn out to be advantageous to have favorites/email in an exported form as opposed to whatever form/file format they now are on your drive.

 

[lambojack]

Hi Ignatz,

Well, I tried to do that but I received a message: "You are currently logged on using a temporary profile. Restart your computer and try again." During the course of troubleshooting with the Adobe rep, I was required to create and "Administrator" login with its associated profile. Now I can't delete it and I get the same message (above) if I try to use the Windows Easy Transfer feature.

Is it possible to simply transfer the folders that contain all my current and saved e-mail to my external drive? I don't know where the e-mail folders are kept, otherwise I would try that. I really need to save those e-mails. There are many important items in my archives.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[fseal]

Can you not log back into your old user account and do everything from there?

You can hand transfer stuff, but will then need to change permissions on the new machine. So if you can;t use the easy transfer it's no tht end of the world but it's a lot easier if you can.

 

[lambojack]

Hi Seal,

It doesn't matter which account I use for logging on. Both will give me the same message when I try to use the transfer utility. I am probably stuck with manually transferring the e-mail files. Do you know where Windows pigeon-holes those folders?

Thanks,

Jack

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I am probably stuck with manually transferring the e-mail files. Do you know where Windows pigeon-holes those folders?

The location of your email varies depending on what email application you use. I can help you if you use Thunderbird, but not if you use another email app.

Email transfer is full of problems. You may be in for some frustration and unexpected difficulties. You just can't predict what may happen.

For that reason, I would do both of the following if possible:

1: Find out where those email folders are on your hard drive. Copy those folders to a safe location on another drive--USB, DVD, external hard drive, whatever--by an ordinary method, such as with the mouse.

2: Open your email application and see what "export" capabilities it has. You may be able to export your email in a variety of formats. If you are offered the choice of multiple formats, export email in all possible formats--to give you a better chance of being able to import those emails into a new installation.

Don't forget your address book. In my experience, it may have to be re-entered manually on any new installation.

 

[lambojack]

I use Windows Live Mail and I have been digging through directories trying to figure out where the e-mail is stored but so far, no luck. I don't doubt I will have problems with this task. I have had nothing but problems for the past several weeks with this machine, unfortunately. I already did save my Favorites and Address Book on the external drive. That was pretty easy. But e-mail archives is another matter.

Jack

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Here is a series of Live Mail tutorials; some of them may help you:

Windows 7 Forums - Search Results

 

[lambojack]

Hi Ignatz,

I was able to do a separate search of this forum and found a thread that applies to my version of the Live Mail. I found the option to export all my e-mail to a new folder (which I placed on my backup drive) and performed the export. Now I can breathe a sigh of relief.

Thanks to everybody for all the help. I plan to start my clean install on Sunday. Hopefully, my Christmas present will be a fully functional PC with Photoshop CS5 installed!

Happy Holidays to everybody,

Jack

 

[fseal]

Cool Export your contacts too!

Have a great weekend