Reformating Windows 7

[Spart]

OS; Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit

A couple weeks ago, my computer crashed and tried to automatically reboot itself, after a few moments of rebooting a new screen came up with just a load bar in the lower portion of the screen trying to load windows files. To my surprise, once windows loaded, a scan was taking place in an effort to restore windows because it couldn't load properly.

I tried using a system restore, no dice.

Ever since then, upon starting my computer I need to "Load all drives with Improper Signatures" in order to even make it to windows. I believe a virus is involved, as everytime I go to search something on the web, 80% of the time I'm redirected to what appears to be a pop-up advertisement or scam, example "Congradulations you are Missouri's 11th vistor, click <here> to claim your prize".

I've had the computer for nearly 2 years now, and its been suggested that I should reinstall windows and start with a clean slate. I'm leaning that way currently, however, after reading on the web a bit. I'm inclined to ask, do I really have to purchase a full version of windows 7, something that I already have purchased? The version came pre-installed by Cyberpower and I didn't get a recovery disk.

So to wrap things up;
Is there any 'legal' way to download a version of windows 7 without having to pay for it(again), save it to a flash drive, and use my current product key upon reformatting?

Appreciate anyone who took the time to read this and make an effort to answer my questions.

 

[essenbe]

I would be on the phone with Cyberpower. They should have provided you with the disk or at least a recovery partition. You will need to know your Windows 7 activation code with any reinstall. It sounds to me that if you are that severly infected, getting rid of the virus would not help. You can get rid of the virus but probably can't repair the damage it has done. Right click computer, select manage then select disk management. See if there is a recovery partition there. Your manual or Cyberpower should be able to help you restore the system. Failing all of that you can use someone elses disk to install windows, it must be the same version as yours. When you get to the section to put in your key code leave it blank and uncheck the activate within 3 days. After installation and everything is working, go to computer right click and select properties. In the bottom left corner click change activation number, put yours in and activate online. If it does not activate you may have to activate by phone. Just make sure you have your legal activation code.

 

[gregrocker]

You can always reinstall your licensed OS with the Product Key on COA sticker on machine. Follow these steps to get a perfect clean reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

There is also normally a Recovery Partition on preinstalled Windows computers you can make disks off of or run to restore to factory condtion. Look through All Programs list and at the Disk Management drive map - post back a screenshot of the map with listings using Snipping Tool in Start Menu if you'd like us to advise you further.

FIrst you might want to try to repair your Windows. First install, update and run a Full Scan with Malwarebytes to see how infected it is. Then uninstall your AV and install free Avast 6 or MS Security Essentials and run a full scan as well. If 32 bit you can schedule an Avast boot scan, the deepest possible.

Next access the System Recovery Options from F8 Advanced Boot Options to run Startup Repair to see if it finds issues with the OS. Then check System Files for integrity using SFC -SCANNOW Command

The next level of Repair is the Repair Install which requires the Win7 installation DVD so you can then move to reinstall if it doesn't help.

Here are other Win7 troubleshooting basics to work through: troubleshooting steps

 

[seavixen32]

It would appear Cyberpower give you a three-year limited warranty so you do need to contact them for a recovery disc.

They also have a data recovery disc you can boot from, cost is around $30.

Cyber Power Xployer X5-5000 Data Recovery Windows 7 XP Vista

 

[Spart]

im forced to post from my phone now. so as you can guess, further issues. apologies for the millions of grammer errors to follow.

upon searching thro moving boxes, i did actually recieve a recovery disk. after switching the bios to load the disk drive prior to the hard drive on start ups.

the machine went tho the steps as normal, until it reached the point where it attepted to copy/expand the files. seemed as if it skipped coping the files, going from 0 to 100% instantly. it sits on expanding windows files for up to 5 minutes, never moving from 0%. then delivers the following error message;

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. error code 0x80070017

unable to do any repairs or system restores at this point, will be contacting cyberpower tommorow, due to their technical support not being around on sundays. i'd assume theres nothing i can really do personally, but i thought id post again incase this information, or even the error code could give a clue to someone on what the issue might be.

again, i appreciate all the help and support.

 

[theog]

1)Run this tool:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-microsoft-standalone-system-sweeper.html?ltr=M

2) Do a full clean & full format in command prompt.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html
from
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

than run Recovery Disks.

 

[gregrocker]

You can try running Factory Recovery by tapping the key given on the first boot screen or in your Manual. This can be more stable than the Recovery disk set.

Is this a Recovery DIsk set (more than one) or a DVD labeled Win7 Installation/Reinstallation Disk?

What you can try now is resetting the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

While in BIOS setup set SATA controller to AHCI to try install.

Now wipe the HD of all code as there may be boot sector or other corruption:
Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command
DISKPART At PC Startup

Boot the DVD using one-time BIOS boot menu or set DVD drive to boot first in BIOS setup.

 

[Spart]

You can try running Factory Recovery by tapping the key given on the first boot screen or in your Manual. This can be more stable than the Recovery disk set.

You refering to after the bios screen, a message saying "To boot from CD or Dvd press any key to continue"? Thats how ive made it to this point.

Is this a Recovery DIsk set (more than one) or a DVD labeled Win7 Installation/Reinstallation Disk?

It actually only reads; The software included on this recovery media was preinstalled on your hard drive at the factory and may only be used for backup and recovery of your cyberpower computer system.

 

[seavixen32]

You can try running Factory Recovery by tapping the key given on the first boot screen or in your Manual. This can be more stable than the Recovery disk set.

You refering to after the bios screen, a message saying "To boot from CD or Dvd press any key to continue"? Thats how ive made it to this point.

Is this a Recovery DIsk set (more than one) or a DVD labeled Win7 Installation/Reinstallation Disk?

It actually only reads; The software included on this recovery media was preinstalled on your hard drive at the factory and may only be used for backup and recovery of your cyberpower computer system.

What you have then is a manufacturer's recovery disc and not a Windows DVD.

No absolutely certain what key you need to press when you boot from it, but it's typically F10.

Your computer will be recovered to its out-of-box state so you'll lose anything you don't back up prior to recovering your system.

 

[Spart]

My point was, is that I have booted from it, and thats the error code I get while trying to boot from it.

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. error code 0x80070017

.

 

[seavixen32]

My point was, is that I have booted from it, and thats the error code I get while trying to boot from it.

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. error code 0x80070017

.

How To Fix 0x80070017 Error?

Windows 7 INSTALLATION ERROR CODE: 0x80070017 - Microsoft Answers

Are You Getting: Error Code 0x80070017, Error installing Windows 7 or Vista

Looks like you've got a corrupted DVD. You could try re-burning it at a slow speed if you have access to another computer.

 

[gregrocker]

Have you tried all of the steps in my post starting with trying to run Factory Recovery from partition which might be on there?

Check the DVD to make sure it is clean, wipe with soft moist cloth using outward motion.

Next I would extract the ISO from DVD using UltraISO and write it to flash stick: On File tab open DVD, On Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write. Boot under USB or HD"s.