FUBAR & I'm up the creek, I don't know if I have a paddle!

[Chaim613]

Hi,
The school of hard knocks is where I'm learning:
I recently re-installed W-7 Pro successfully but in downloading a driver update program, I believe an unscrupulous group in helping me download, might have infected my machine with something in order to sell a tune-up service. I decided I needed to re-re-install the O/S, only this time re-format the disks to get rid of whatever was slowing down the machine. I did too good a job reformatting, all disks were reformatted in the early stages of re-installing the O/S. As a result, the installation program couldn't "Expand Window Files". I am being asked for a "System Image", and I don't have one. My question: Where do I now get a "System Image"?

I want to avoid a repair shop because of limited finances. Can I buy a "System Image" disk on eBay? My machine is a Lenovo M-90, I had Microsoft Windows 7 Pro 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601.
Thank you

 

[tjg79]

I would never use those third party driver download programs. They usually have undesirable or malicious software that loads onto your system. If you need drivers for your system, you should download them from Lenovo support or the device manufacturer's website.

How did you install Win 7 the first time? Do you have a Win 7 DVD? Do you have a Lenovo restore disc?

Why did you reload the OS in the first place?

Regards

 

[Ranger4]

You say all discs were reformatted in the early stages of installation. How many discs are there. You should only have one disc connected for installation of Windows 7 & all other discs should be disconnected.
After installation & you have done all the updates, you can then reconnect the other discs.
If you have a genuine Windows 7 DVD then that's all you need to install it, you do not require a System Image.

 

[Chaim613]

Grateful Reply to "Up the creek..."

I have the official Microsoft W-7 Pro Installation disk(SKU-FOC-000129)
Originally the computer was bought used, with no O/S disk
There were 3 partitions, 1 logical, and 2 system on one hard disk, all 3 partitions were formatted
I don't have a Lenovo restore disk
I reloaded the O/S because the machine was slow, and I thought making a clean O/S reinstall would be the "poor man's" fix, if the machine was infectedI
I can't continue with the installation because it tries to "Expand the Window System Files" only there are none to expand after I formatted the system partition
Thank you for responding

 

[tjg79]

If you've got the Win 7 DVD, this is an easy fix. If you provide your system specs in detail, we can give you the guidance to have a perfect clean install.

From what you've indicated, I think your hdd had three partitions: system reserved, C:\ drive and D:\ drive? Is that correct? What is the make and size of your hdd?

Regards

 

[Chaim613]

"Up the creek..." Hard Drive Type

The Lenovo M-90 has a Western Digital "Caviar Blue" WD5000AAKS

 

[tjg79]

The Lenovo M-90 has a Western Digital "Caviar Blue" WD5000AAKS

Is that 500GB?

 

[Chaim613]

Yes, it is 500GB

 

[tjg79]

I see from Google that your drive is 500GB internal desktop drive. I always like to ensure the drive media is clean and healthy before a clean install. You should download the Western Digital Data Lifeguard utility and do a full erase on the drive that will delete all the partitions and test each sector by writing zeros. This utility will identify any bad sectors that may exist and reallocate spare sectors if need be. Considering that you purchased this computer used without an OS, it's always good to check the drive thoroughly before you invest the time for a clean install of the OS. You should run all the tests for the drive that are included with the WD Data Lifeguard. I would download the DOS version and perform all the tests, full erase and or low level format. Win 7 will give you the options to create the partitions when you install the OS to a raw drive. Do you know what size partitions you want?

Regards

 

[tjg79]

Do you have a DVD burner on this system?

 

[Chaim613]

I have another machine that is a 12 year old HP, I'll try burning a DVD with the Western Digital driver.
I'm guessing that that's the driver that W-7 Pro needs.

 

[gregrocker]

Always delete all partitions to get the cleanest install.

Everything else is here to get and keep a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164. These steps compile everything that has worked best in tens of thousands of installs we've directly helped with here.

Never use a driver program. Win7 is a driver-complete OS with the only steps needed for drivers printed in red in the tutorial so they can't be missed.

 

[Chaim613]

I've run into a problem: I downloaded the Western Digital driver to a thumb-drive but when I tell the W-7 installation procedure to find the driver on the thumb drive, and "DriverRestore.exe" from Western Digital appears on the file directory, I select the file, and press "Open", the installation procedure responds with "The specified location doesn't contain any information about your hardware"
But I'm sure that file is for the correct Hard Drive.

 

[Chaim613]

Gregrocker: You did an awesome job! I'm afraid that IBM and HP are so protective and proprietary about their products that they make it really gnarly to do anything yourself. I learned from an IBM Lenovo Forum that a Restore Disk is needed, which can be had for a mere $50.00! That is still less expensive than a new machine or a taking the sick machine into a shop. I learned a great deal from you, and that tutorial on a clean install of the O/S was great. Thank you.

 

[gregrocker]

I've seen no problems with Clean Reinstalling any Lenovo or HP. If you have any issues just start a new thread in Installation section or ask in tutorial comments.

 

[tjg79]

I have another machine that is a 12 year old HP, I'll try burning a DVD with the Western Digital driver.
I'm guessing that that's the driver that W-7 Pro needs.

I'm not sure what you are talking about. Are you confusing Western Digital "driver" with Western Digital Data Lifeguard utility?

Did you run the Western Digital Data Lifeguard utility to full erase or low level format your hdd?

If you have another system that can burn a DVD/CD, you should download the DOS version of the Western Digital Data Lifeguard utility, burn the program to a disc, then use that disc to boot your Lenovo to full erase or low level format your Western Digital 500GB hdd. This operation will remove all the partitions, test all the drive sectors and replace the bad sectors if need be. You should end up with an hdd in the raw.

Then you can insert your Win 7 DVD and do a clean install to the properly prepared hdd, but I have a few questions before you do the install, because there are some options you may want to consider, before you do the clean install of Win 7.

Please answer all the questions and ask any questions if anything is not clear.

Regards

 

[Ranger4]

Sorry to butt in again at this late stage but I think the main problem is that Chaim613 has an ISO disc & not an actual Windows 7 installation DVD.
The reference he mentioned in an earlier post #4 was to this disc, Microsoft W-7 Pro Installation disk(SKU-FOC-000129). I copied this & searched the web & these 2 MS websites came up.

In need a Windows 7 install disk or Windows 7 ISO image. - Microsoft Community

Trying to Install Windows 7 Professional from ISO Image on Hard Disk - Microsoft Community

 

[gregrocker]

Lets not complicate this too much. I don't see anything that indicates any more is needed than the installer and steps provided in Clean Reinstall tutorial I linked.

So please focus your attention on those steps to ask back any questions you have to complete them so you get the same perfect install that tens of thousands of others have from that tutorial without a single complaint yet.