Is this the right approach for a truly clean install?

[Megahertz07]

Thank you Kari. Made me feel less guilty.
The command line came from Win 10 tutorial.

 

[Paul Black]

Megahertz07, I followed your instructions exactly.

Kari, I used the Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot /unattend:\relocate.xml.

On the last install it setup an extra System Reserved partition that was 100 MB.

Everything seemed to go OK. I got all the boxes and it said it was working. But I still didn't get to enter the Product Key and the Users are still on drive C:.

I checked and it is definately a 64-bit system.

I entered the sysprep lines manually in the command prompt:

C:\Users\Administrator>cd \Windows\System32\Sysprep
C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep>Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot /unattend:\Relocate.xml

And this is the Relocate.xml file I used:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
<settings pass="oobeSystem">
<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<FolderLocations>
<ProfilesDirectory>D:\Users</ProfilesDirectory>
</FolderLocations>
</component>
</settings>
</unattend>

 

[Kari]

For Sysprep to run without any error messages, and Users folder not to be relocated, there are only three possible causes:

1. Wrong bit architecture
2. Windows setup does not find the target drive, for instance when user is pointing Users folder to drive W: but when Windows setup is run after Sysprep, drive W: is not found
3. Target drive is not an internal NTFS formatted partition (Users folder cannot be relocated to an SD card, external USB disk, internal FAT32 formatted drive and so on)

In OP's case I suspect it's the list item 2 that is the culprit.

Kari

 

[Paul Black]

Just a thought, would skipping connecting to a wireless network during installation have anything to do with it?
This is what I have been doing because I was going to setup a wireless network later on.
I know that comes after running the Sysprep but just a thought!

 

[Kari]

No, network connection or lack of it has nothing to do with your issues.

 

[Paul Black]

Well I have just done another installation with the same results.
It did seem however that everything worked OK, oh well!
No option to enter Product Key and the Users are still on drive C: and the only file on drive D: is the Relocate file.
I think tomorrow I will just install Windows normally and then try and relocate the User folders afterwards somehow.
I will let you know how I get on.

Thank you both so very much, it really is appreciated.

 

[Megahertz07]

Paul, where did get the Win 7 installation disk?

 

[Paul Black]

It came with the laptop along with a DVD for Drivers, Manuals & Utilities and a DVD for MS Office 2010 (Pre-Installed) & Windows Live Essentials.

 

[Megahertz07]

That explains a lot, at least why you're never asked to give the Key.
You have 3 kinds of win 7 licenses:
- OEM SLP are licenses sold to big manufactures (Dell, HP, Lenovo etc). The activation code is already in the installation disk and must match a code saved on BIOS - That is the one you have.
- OEM System Builder are licenses sold to small builders and you buy them on stores. Once activated on a computer it will be tied to that computer.
- Retail licenses were sold to customers to upgrade or install on their computers. You can move the license from one computer to another.

This is a link for Win 7 HP OEM SP1 https://software-download.microsoft.com/pr/Win7_HomePrem_SP1_English_COEM_x64.iso?t=19e1efc2-df1d-4e3d-ac66-ea4a9b394daa&e=1499424011&h=99628f4aa5284f8224de3e9ac8970c77
The link is only valid till 11.30AM Friday.
Download it NOW.
For this Installation disk you will need the COA key that came with your computer.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi Megahertz07, I really can't thank you enough for sticking with me on this, it is appreciated.

I reinstalled the system AGAIN this morning as normal without trying to relocate the Users.
I still didn't get to enter the Product Key but now I know why, thank you.
It was very slow indeed after the installation had finished so I flashed the BIOS, this seemed to help.
I have been doing bits on it and it has just crashed several times without any reason. I got a blue screen saying that it was saving crash information.
It is still very slow indeed now.

Anyway, I am currently downloading the file that you kindly posted.
Is it a case of just copying this file to a DVD and inserting it into my new laptop and running it and then using the Product Key on the bottom of my laptop?

When I right click computer and select properties I also have a Product ID: nnnnn-OEM-nnnnnnn-nnnnn code and it says that Windows is activated. Exactly as you have stated in your previous post.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Megahertz07]

We are now on the right track.
You can't just copy the iso files to a disk. If you do so, it won't boot.
You have to "burn" the iso to a disk. Windows does have a program to do it. Burn a Disc Image from an ISO or IMG file in Windows 7
You can also "install" the iso on a USB flash disk. Windows USB/DVD Download Tool - Microsoft Store

As you have done a fresh install, did it already installed all the updates? MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

Very strange is it is slow. Do a Check Disk. Open a admin CMD window and type chkdsk c: /f . It will ask if you want to schedule to next restart. Yes. It will run on next boot. Pay attention on the results.
Any way, if I were you, I would install a SSD. You can buy a small 128G SSD for U$50 and an adapter to install the HDD in the place of the ODD. You have no idea what a SSD can do for your laptop.
You then transfer C:\users do D:\users. You will have the speed of a SSD and the space of a HDD.
ADATA Ultimate SU700 2.5 ASU700SS-120GT-C - Newegg.com
PNY CS900 2.5 SSD7CS900-120-RB-Newegg.com
laptop odd to hdd - Newegg.com

 

[Paul Black]

Thanks Megahertz07 for the insight and suggestions.

I ran the chkdsk c: /f and all seemed fine as I watched it run through, I don't understand it.

Anyway, I will burn the ISO either tonight or tomorrow and have another go at installing Windows.

I know that if I only wanted to relocate My Documents, Desktop & Favourites to the D: drive I could follow this tutorial:

User Folders - Change Default Location

This option does sound to be the best choice at the moment.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi Megahertz07,

Well, I downloaded the ISO onto my old laptop, copied it to a USB and then copied it to the desktop of the new laptop.

I followed the instructions as per the link you sent me to burn the ISO to a DVD and also clicked the Verify disk after burning box.
It failed and ejected the DVD (I started with only 3 DVD's available so 2 to go).

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Megahertz07]

Try to burn the dvd at half the default speed.

Use one of these free programs http://www.thewindowsclub.com/top-3-free-iso-burners-windows-7

 

[Paul Black]

OK, thank you. I will have another go in a minute.
I an just sitting here watching the Shanghai Darts Masters with a nice cold beer.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi Megahertz07,

I managed to burn the ISO to a DVD by reducing the burning speed as you suggested and also checked the verify box and it burnt without any errors or problems. Thank you for that tip, it worked brilliantly.

I put the newly created DVD in the laptop and booted it.
All went well until I got to the stage after it rebooted and continued the installation saying completing installation... It has been sitting there saying that for 2 hours now. I don't know whether to stop it or not and try again?

What about if I powered it off and on again so see if it continues from the right place and carries on?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT:

I have just restarted it again!

 

[Paul Black]

Hi Megahertz07,

I am at a loss now. I have tried installing from the disk 3 times now and it just gets stuck on completing installation...

I have spent most of the day Googling it but without any joy. I removed the mouse as many people with same problem found that removing all the USB devices worked for them, but not for me.

The disk seems to spin upto the completing installation... stage and then just stops. The hard drive light doesn't flash or anything.

I have freed up a USB so I will try to copy the ISO to that and run it using the link you provided:

Windows USB/DVD Download Tool - Microsoft Store

Thanks in advance.

EDIT:
Ater copying to the USB I got a message saying:
Files copied successfully. However, we were unable to run bootsect to make the USB device bootable.

Is this because I did the copy to the USB on my Vista machine?
Obviously my new laptop hasn't got a system on it at the moment so that is why I did it like this.
What do I do now please?
Do I need to install Windows from the original DVD upto a point when I can insert the USB and then double-click the Setup.exe file on the USB.

 

[Paul Black]

I re-installed the system using the DVD that came with the laptop upto a stage where I could insert the USB.
I inserted the USB and run Setup.exe.
That also hangs on the completing installation... stage.

Has anyone got any ideas please?

 

[Paul Black]

Well, I left it running on the completing installation... stage all night in case it continued, but no luck.
This morning I hard booted the laptop using the power buton leaving the USB in and got the following messages on the load up screen:

Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller Series v.2.36 (07/29/10)
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable.
PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM.
Operating System not found.

Can anyone advise me what to do please?

EDIT No. 1:

I rebooted the laptop without the USB and the system told me that:

The installation was not uccessful.
Changes made during the installation process are being undone.
Do NOT restart your computer during this time.

EDIT No. 2:

The above has been running for SEVEN hours now.
I have stopped it and rebooted.

 

[Megahertz07]

Paul, if you don't know what you're doing, it's like shooting in the dark.
If you began installing with the M$ DVD and it gets stuck on completing installation, it found a problem with a driver.
I can't help you as there may be many steps to get to the problem.

If you were successful with the Fujitsu disk, why are you trying to install with the MS disk?