Solved Reformat gone bad - please help

[gregrocker]

Save the file to Downloads, find it with the Windows Download tool there to burn disk or stick.

 

[gregrocker]

Save the file to Downloads, find it with the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html?filter there.
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[arayfo1]

7. Gather your program installers. For those lacking disks, you may find them on the program's Support Downloads webpage. Favorite pre-installed apps may be found on the Downloads webpage for your model computer or manufacturer-provided Apps Disk. Others may be found by googling. Some pre-installed apps may not be available for clean reinstall - HP owners see additional note at bottom.

● Many of the favorite apps needed and desired for reinstall are available in the terrific app Ninite - Install or Update Multiple Apps at Once.

● Just in case, save in advance your Wireless or Ethernet LAN (wired) driver on flash stick, CD or in your backup so you can install it to get online quickly - these can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model PC.

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Okay, I got my usb ready to download a clean install. I am reading through the tutorial and I am not sure about step #7. What is being referred to as a program, my pc? my software or what? And what is the significance of these apps it mentions? I have no idea what type of apps are being referenced. Can someone dumb this down for me a bit so I can get started? I would hate to skip a step after everything you all have contributed to this thread.
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[Golden]

Programs are software you installed (e.g. Microsoft Office, games etc.)

 

[arayfo1]

According to Slartybart: "It simply means to locate dsics or download programs that you use. The reinstall only installs Windows, no other programs."

I have a backup already so I assume I can skip this step, no?

 

[arayfo1]

Programs are software you installed (e.g. Microsoft Office, games etc.)

Can't I add these after I perform the install?

 

[arayfo1]

8. Unplug all other HD's and peripherals except ethernet

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I assume the main point of this is to unplug all unnecessary flashdrives etc., but I wonder if its important to have the pc hooked up via ethernet. I have a wireless adapter. Shouldn't that be sufficient?

 

[Slartybart]

Don't let this distract you from Greg's help. I thought I'd answer this question since it seemed to get lost.

I can't think of anything - just connect your PC to your router with an Ethernet cable. It should connect if the driver is installed.

Can you please tell me if there is some setting I have to manipulate in order to get internet via ethernet cable? I know where to plug it in.

Follow Greg's advice - he's always willing to go the extra mile. In your case, it looks as though he is stepping you though each step of the tutorial.

Ask if you have any questions before taking action. Better to know than have to start over.

Good luck, you're in the best hands.

 

[Slartybart]

A backup does NOT include the Program install discs.

You can look in control Panel - Programs and features to see what software is installed.

Make sure you can re-install any programs in the list. In other words, do you have the install discs for those programs listed?

Edit: Some of the Programs listed will be Microsoft core technology - Microsoft C++ for example

Please post a screen shot of Control Panel - Programs and features if you have questions about a particular program.
Please see http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html for the preferred method of posting files and images on Sevenforums


It is not advised to skip any steps unless explicitly told to do so.

According to Slartybart: "It simply means to locate dsics or download programs that you use. The reinstall only installs Windows, no other programs."

I have a backup already so I assume I can skip this step, no?

 

[Golden]

Programs are software you installed (e.g. Microsoft Office, games etc.)

Can't I add these after I perform the install?

You can only install them after you have installed Windows

 

[Slartybart]

You can't add them, you have to install them.
You can't install them if you can't find ot don't have the install disc.

Mom might know the answer if this is her machine Or ask the person who owns it.
Ask "Where is the install disc for 'Whatever program' shows up in the Programs and Features list.

Programs are software you installed (e.g. Microsoft Office, games etc.)

Can't I add these after I perform the install?

 

[Slartybart]

Did you complete step 7?

Does wired internet connection work?
Does wireless internet connection work?

8. Unplug all other HD's and peripherals except ethernet

-------------

I assume the main point of this is to unplug all unnecessary flashdrives etc., but I wonder if its important to have the pc hooked up via ethernet. I have a wireless adapter. Shouldn't that be sufficient?

 

[gregrocker]

8. Unplug all other HD's and peripherals except ethernet

-------------

I assume the main point of this is to unplug all unnecessary flashdrives etc., but I wonder if its important to have the pc hooked up via ethernet. I have a wireless adapter. Shouldn't that be sufficient?

You have about a 50% chance of the installer having your wireless driver and a 70% chance it will have the ethernet adapter to install for you so it will start up ready to connect or already connected via wire.

For this reason its best to plug in by wire so there's a 70% chance you start up connected. Then you can move directly to enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) and get the wireless and most of the other drivers delivered via Windows Updates. At that point you can unplug the ethernet and connect to your wireless.

But I'd also put my wireless driver in the backup so that if neither is provided during install you can install it from stick, disk or external to get online and do your Updates.

 

[arayfo1]

A backup does NOT include the Program install discs.

You can look in control Panel - Programs and features to see what software is installed.

Make sure you can re-install any programs in the list. In other words, do you have the install discs for those programs listed?

Edit: Some of the Programs listed will be Microsoft core technology - Microsoft C++ for example

Please post a screen shot of Control Panel - Programs and features if you have questions about a particular program.
Please see http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html for the preferred method of posting files and images on Sevenforums


It is not advised to skip any steps unless explicitly told to do so.

According to Slartybart: "It simply means to locate dsics or download programs that you use. The reinstall only installs Windows, no other programs."

I have a backup already so I assume I can skip this step, no?

Well, maybe that's part of my problem then because I had my pc backed up (and nothing else) prior to reformatting the drive so I wouldn't now have any c++ installed according to what you're telling me.

I just attempted to reinstall Windows using the iso I downloaded from the tutorial and I received an error:

"Windows cannot install required files. The file may be corrupt or missing. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation."

I used the windows dvd/usb download tool and made the proper changes in BIOS just like before. I assume all I needed on that flash drive is what the iso tool put on there via the iso I uploaded. From what I understand, you install everything else separately.

 

[Britton30]

Sometimes the download of the iso is corrupted, I've had that happen. Try doing it over from step one to make the bootable flash stick or DVD, whichever you've done, toss the bad one.

 

[Slartybart]

Don't over think this. I only used C++ as an example of a Microsoft Program that might show up in Prgm & Feats. I was trying to answer your question about Step 7 - "What programs" Read the post, don't over think it.

Supply feedback requested. "Please post a screen shot of Control Panel - Programs and features if you have questions about a particular program"

A backup does NOT include the Program install discs.

You can look in control Panel - Programs and features to see what software is installed.

Make sure you can re-install any programs in the list. In other words, do you have the install discs for those programs listed?

Edit: Some of the Programs listed will be Microsoft core technology - Microsoft C++ for example

Please post a screen shot of Control Panel - Programs and features if you have questions about a particular program.

Please see http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html for the preferred method of posting files and images on Sevenforums


It is not advised to skip any steps unless explicitly told to do so.

According to Slartybart: "It simply means to locate dsics or download programs that you use. The reinstall only installs Windows, no other programs."

I have a backup already so I assume I can skip this step, no?

Well, maybe that's part of my problem then because I had my pc backed up (and nothing else) prior to reformatting the drive so I wouldn't now have any c++ installed according to what you're telling me.

I just attempted to reinstall Windows using the iso I downloaded from the tutorial and I received an error:

"Windows cannot install required files. The file may be corrupt or missing. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation."

I used the windows dvd/usb download tool and made the proper changes in BIOS just like before. I assume all I needed on that flash drive is what the iso tool put on there via the iso I uploaded. From what I understand, you install everything else separately.

Regarding the "new" File may be corrupt issue = follow Britton's suggestion to re-download.

what 'proper' BIOS changes did you make?

 

[arayfo1]

I'm not sure how to do the screenshot on a pc that has no internet connection, but I think it's perhaps too late for saving any programs I might need to worry about seeing as how I have already reformatted the drive. Initially, I wanted to keep AutoCAD but I'm pretty sure it's gone by now.

I am using usb instead of DVD to install.

As to the 'proper' bios changes I've made, I went into Advanced BIOS Features and changed 1st boot device to USB Generic Compac>2nd boot device: My Harddrive>3rd boot device is my DVD drive> and then I selected my flash drive as my boot device.

The first time I attempted to reinstall Windows prior to joining this forum I used a partition tool to reformat the drive. Whenever I was installing the pirate bay download of Windows (I wasn't sure where else to get it at the time) there was an advanced setting when the partitions pop up which allowed me to reformat what was left on drive c. So whenever I tried reinstalling windows via the tutorial I didn't notice any option to reformat the drive. So is it absolutely necessary that I reformat the drive again (in order to uninstall old windows) before I can reinstall windows again?

 

[gregrocker]

Still not following http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 which answers all of these questions? Why not?

As it says you should use the Drive Options in Steps 7 and 8 of the illustrated steps for http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html to delete all partitions, create new as you wish. If you have no partition scheme in mind then just create one of the whole drive, format it and click Next to install.

 

[arayfo1]

So, to be clear, are you saying that step 7 isn't optional?

The only program I was worried about losing when I initially reformatted the drive was AutoCAD. Are there any programs that would be crucial to my operating system?

Did you complete step 7?

Does wired internet connection work?
Does wireless internet connection work?

8. Unplug all other HD's and peripherals except ethernet

-------------

I assume the main point of this is to unplug all unnecessary flashdrives etc., but I wonder if its important to have the pc hooked up via ethernet. I have a wireless adapter. Shouldn't that be sufficient?

 

[arayfo1]

Still not following http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 which answers all of these questions? Why not?

As it says you should use the Drive Options in Steps 7 and 8 of the illustrated steps for http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html to delete all partitions, create new as you wish. If you have no partition scheme in mind then just create one of the whole drive, format it and click Next to install.

I still have the ethernet drivers on a flash drive from the last reinstall.

I don't want to delete all partitions, because I have data stored on drive D. My first attempt at reinstalling windows I managed to reformat drive C only without problems. I just never could get an internet connection established.

Thanks for being so patient, Greg. I really really appreciate it.