Power went out during install, can't complete now

[mrobertson1987]

Last night I was upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 via download off of the microsoft site (so I do NOT have a startup disc). As the computer was in the middle of a restart, I lost power during a storm last night.

Now when I turn the computer on, it gets past the "Starting Windows" screen and to the point where I can see a default desktop image, but I never actually see the desktop. Instead of seeing the taskbar or any shortcuts, it just brings up a DOS prompt and I have no idea what to do from there or how to get it to restart the install or pick up where it left off.

Any ideas/suggestions?

I'm at a friends house posting this, so I don't have all my computer specs, but I know it is completely Windows 7-compatible.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello mrobertson1987, welcome to Seven Forums!


If your friends PC is running Windows 7 use it create a System Repair CD, view the information in this first tutorial at the link below, then use the info in the second tutorial to copy-out the data from your PC to external media so you don't lose the data.

Get that done and we'll help you go on from there.

How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

How to Copy & Paste in Recovery Console on Windows 7 or Vista

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[mrobertson1987]

My friend is running Vista, so I can't make a system repair CD.
I already have all of the important files that I wanted saved to a USB, everything else I can just re-install no problem once I get windows 7 running.
I am currently downloading the .iso file from the microsoft store and burning that to a blank dvd. Not sure if that will help the situation at all. What next?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If you have all the data from the Hard Disk Drive, I would suggest using the created Windows 7 installation DVD to do a wipe secure erase of the entire HDD before you actually start the clean install process to get the best possible space to install Windows 7 to and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Have a look at the information in these tutorials linked below.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Additional Secure Erase / Wipe Information

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version



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[mrobertson1987]

Alright, thanks for the advice. I'll give this a shot when I get home.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Be sure to post back here with updates.

 

[gregrocker]

If you lost power during Install then there likely won't be any installation to Repair yet.

You should have downloaded an ISO file and burned it to DVD, so you would have an installer to reinstall and do repairs. Win7 is good for life, so why would you not want an installer?

Go online on your friend's computer to redownload the ISO and burn to DVD or write to flash stick using this tool: Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool

Hopefully you backed up your files. If not try copying them out using the DVD or Paragon Rescue CD.

Boot the DVD installer, choose Custom Install, use Drive Options to delete all partitions, create New as you wish, then Format. Follow these illustrated steps: Clean Install Windows 7

There is no reason to wipe the HD unless installation problems occur which we can help you with. If you wipe the other HD additional steps will be needed to activate Upgrade version if that is what you bought.