Is a clean install possible with recovery discs

[paul0536]

Thanks for any assistance up front! I have an ASUS Slate B121 with the recovery discs which came with computer. I have done a reinstall of the software but did not get the options to do a clean install as seen in the tutorials on this subject. The other problem I ran into on the reinstall was the missing BOOTMGR.
I have since restored a previous version to at least be able to use the computer, but it now runs terribly. Any help would be appreciated. Thank!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I doubt the recovery disks will allow you to do a clean install if they are what is normally meant by that term.

More likely, they will return you to a state as of the day the thing was manufactured.

I guess that is some sort of a tablet. Never seen one.

You may be able to do a clean install if it has a Certificate Of Authenticity on it somewhere that includes a Product Key and if you have some way of attaching an external DVD burner or a USB thumb drive. In that case, you'd have to first download a Windows 7 ISO.

It may have some magical other way that is found only on tablets or Slates, but the above is what you'd have to do if you had an ordinary laptop or desktop PC.

 

[AddRAM]

No

Download the Windows 7 iso file of your version and burn to dvd to do a clean install.

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

Free ISO Burner

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Not sure what operating system comes on a Slate, but I`m sure it`s not Windows 7 Ultimate.

I would keep the original OS, if it`s running slow, start removing programs you don`t use and defrag the hard drive numerous times.

Post a shot of disk management, it may give a clue to why it`s running poorly.

 

[gregrocker]

Everything needed is here to do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7.

If you're getting "Bootmgr is missing" error then it is not booting the disk, but attempting to boot the hard drive. Follow these steps How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube to boot disk which is provided in Reinstall tutorial, during the booted install use the Drive Options pictured in Steps 7 and 8 of these illustrated steps for the actual Clean Install Windows 7 to delete all partitions, create and format new as you wish, or if you have no partition plans in mind then just click Next and the installer will do it for you.

 

[paul0536]

Oops!

Greg, I followed your instructions (Very easy!). Got my ISO file, made my bootable DVD and ran the program. After about 23% of the install, I get a message that the install was cancelled.
Screen shot message says:

Windows cannot install required files. Files may be corrupt or missing. Make sure all files required for install are available, and restart the installation. Error Code; 0x80070570.

I burned another DVD and ran it and got the same message.

Should I select a different ISO file? My product tag says its Windows 7 Ult OA.

 

[Berton]

On the download page for that .iso file was a mention made of MD5 or SHA? Those are codes used by a program such as MD5_and_SHA_Checksum_Utility.exe to verify the file is correct.

As for 'clean install', the Factory Restore discs are intended to put the computer back to its as-shipped condition. I have seen a Windows.old Folder on the HDD with some.

 

[paul0536]

Burton, I did not see anything like that. But the are 2 other ISO file options that I did not see originally. I'll play with those and see if they make a difference. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[gregrocker]

Make sure the download for X17-59186.iso completed.

Write to 4gb flash stick with Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool.

Make sure you are booting the flash stick and not running it from the OS: How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube

During booted install delete all partitions to Unallocated space, click next to create and format partitions and begin.

If problems persist Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[paul0536]

Thank for your help. The information you've made available is a great help! After selecting the ISO File that matched your description of which file to use, (which I should have done in the first place), the computer is running Windows 7 without a glitch. Just getting things sorted now.

 

[paul0536]

We're getting close... Though the computer is running WIN 7, because it is a tablet, many of the drivers are missing. I tried to back up as many as I could, but the device driver list was filled with yellow triangles. Since I had completed a reformat of the hard drive, it seemed appropriate to run the recovery disks and reinstall all those missing drivers. But once again, I'm stuck at a missing bootmgr. I've gone in and changed the boot sequence but still get the same message! What am I missing?

 

[paul0536]

let me try to clarify just where I'm at with this machine.
Downloaded ISO File, installed and HD formatted. Check that off!
Was able to get WIN 7 running but was missing a lot of drivers for this tablet. I tried reinstalling what I had.
Since I was able to format the HD (something I haven't been able figure out how to do previously), I figured it wouldn't hurt to just install the factory software that came with the machine and get those missing drivers installed. With that done... I know get the message missing bootmgr!
I've changed the boot selection back to see the HD first, but continue to get the Missing Bootmgr message.

Thanks for taking the time to help me with my computer issues.

 

[Ztruker]

Do the format and install again, but this time go to the manufacturers web site to download the drivers you are missing.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download Eee Slate B121



Start with Chipset then do the others you need.

 

[paul0536]

Awesome! Thanks for the link.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you follow the steps in Clean Reinstall Windows 7
for drivers which are important enough they are printed in red?

After install you may need to install your Network LAN driver to get online, then the first thing to do is enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) to Check For Updates, run all Important and Optional Windows Updates, with reboots, until no more are offered.

Only then should you import any missing drivers in Device Manager from the link Rich gave you.