Registry Anomaly

[Joe Ciaravino]

You could always try reinstalling avast, then uninstall with Control Panel, uninstall a program, or Revo Uninstaller, then run Avastclean. It will most likely remove the rogue entries. Safe way if it will work! JoWazzoo is correct, it is not your issue, and altering the registry is usually not a good idea. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Repair install will not alter those entries, at least is shouldn't!

I already ran AvastClean. Never mind, I'll leave those Avast entries where they are. As long as you are satisfied that the registry is OK, then let's move on please. Still don't know why Eusing "hangs" on "empty keys" but I can live with it.

So there are still 2 issues left to address:

1. I am going to swap in another keyboard temporarily. Maybe that's causing the F8 issue. Tried JoWazzoos link and yes, it boots directly into safe mode using msconfig. I don't get an advanced boot menu though, and can't get a choice "safe mode with networking" which is what I most often use.

2. I'd sure like to fix the missing/corrupt files that were originally found using SFC /scannow and don't know why I can't read that CBS logfile.


Last resort repair install if 1 and 2 can't be corrected. Will a repair install accomplish these two criteria?

 

[Joe Ciaravino]

Tried two known good keyboards: another PS2, and a USB 2.0....................cannot get advanced boot menu with either one!

You have been very patient to stay with me. I am very tenacious with problems although I agree that computers can be dangerous to monkey with.

At this point, I'd be happy to simply get the advanced boot options back with F8.

If SNICK can help fix the damaged/missing files shown in the CBS logfile (which I cannot open), then that would be a bonus.

 

[Snick]

Repair install should correct/replace the keys you deleted, and correct the issues you've reported, however, I'd try the below suggestions first, and then Sysnative!

Your first CheckSUR.log indicates numerous issues (f) with corresponding (fix) below it, meaning an issue was found and fixed. I believe the other 2 errors, not Avast related is due to your deletion of registry keys.

Since you have a Win7 x64 Disk, sometimes, SFCFix.exe by niemero will locate the items on the disk and install them for you. Worth a try. Place your disk in drive, download SFCFix.exe and run it. If that doesn't work, I'd post your issue in Sysnative forums.

Brian Drab, Go the Power, and several others whom will respond, are experts in this area. Per their forum rules, they do not permit just anyone to respond. The respondent is either prequalified or trained by Sysnative staff. I'm currently considering some training from them. Go the Power authors several of their tutorials. Knowledge is Power. Component hive replacements and registry are getting a little beyond my knowledge at the current point of my IT studies.

 

[JoWazzoo]

Snick's last advice looks good IMHO. SFCFix is now supported there. Best of luck. Keep us posted.

 

[Joe Ciaravino]

Snick and JO:

The primary concern is to get F8 back first. Can you help me with that first?

I found this

F8 Key – Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8


and near the bottom it recommends running bootrec. I DO NOT have a genuine windows installation disk. It Is one that I made and frankly, don't remember where it came from. BUT I have no KEY for it.

I am leaning towards a repair install because if I ever want to upgrade to Win 10, then an upgrade will pass any corruption to the new OS. Am I correct in this assumption, and if I am, then I need to get this one sorted out first, right?

PS: The installation disk that I have will NOT start within windows..................I can only boot with it.

 

[Snick]

If you made your Win7 disk from an ISO file dowloaded from DigitalRiver, Hekdoc.net or directly from Microsoft, then it is a Win7 ISO. Magic Jellybean, Belarc Advisor, or a VB script I have will locate and decipher your product key. Win7 stores your product key.

I'm not sure if Win 10 will overwrite the registry issues, and quite often, Win 10 will not install/upgrade your Win 7 if there is a certain one or numerous issues.

On SevenForums, you could PM (private message) tom982, niemero, or NoelDP, not sure if niemero or Noel is still posting, Noel has some health issues & I haven't noticed any of his post/replies in a while, on either SevenForums or Sysnative Forums.

If you do decide to go the Sysnative Forums route, please, by all means, post that on here. I would very much enjoy following the steps to resolution. Knowledge is Power!

Attached is the VB script. If you run it, click on the popup, press CTRL + c you can paste the info into Notepad, Wordpad, Word, etc. and print it.

I just downloaded the script and Malwarebytes flagged the VB script as an exploit, which it is not. If you right-click the program, choose edit, you can view contents.

If your Win7 is OEM (original equipment manufacture) it is licensed by the computer manufacturer from Microsoft. If you installed it from a retail copy, the product key will allow you to download a Win7 x64 ISO from Microsoft. Heidoc.net, for a while, was permitting anyone running Windows to download several different ISO versions, however, now, if you try to use Heidi.net download tool, it checks to see if your product key is OEM or Retail, if it's OEM, it doesn't work anymore.

 

[JoWazzoo]

Heidoc.net tool downloads and runs but ISOs are not available.

 

[Joe Ciaravino]

There is no OEM for my computer. I built it.

Because I need a product key in order to continue to use and update windows, I think that I should bite the bullet and simply buy a new, unopened Windows 7 installation disk with product key. I know that I'll need a product key for my installation in order to upgrade, some day. Once I have that, I can do a repair install until I'm ready to upgrade to "the final version of Windows", Windows 10.

There are a lot of different "OEM" install disks for sale out there. There are some that say "64 bit" and nothing more. Most say "32/64 bit". Are these the same? They are unopened "brand new with product keys and affordable".

 

[Snick]

Did you read my previous post. You can locate the product key with the attached VB script, Belarc Advisor, or Magic Jellybean. If your installation is Retail, you purchased DVD/CD with win7 on it, you can download from Microsoft website, by providing that key in their textbox. Heidoc.net may not provide you a choice. If you use my VB script attachment, you can click on it, press CTRL + c and then paste it into notepad, wordpad, or word, and print it. If you are using an OEM key, Microsoft website, when you enter the key, will instruct you to contact your computer manufacturer. I don't believe you have an OEM key as your machine is custom built.

OEM disk with key WILL NOT WORK on your machine and you will be wasting money. OEM product key is linked to the manufacturer's motherboards. Basically you've paid money for something Microsoft will provide you for free with your key.

Here's the link to Microsoft Download Page

If you are currently using an OEM key, it will not validate i.e. be Genuine Windows in the System info: Start > Control Panel > System and Security > System > lower-right corner. Number in product ID lower-left corner, IS NOT YOUR 25-character product key. The product key is located within the registry and is an encrypted file. VB script will locate it and display it on desktop. Belarc and Magic Jellybean will also provide same but it's more of a hassle. Belarc locates a vast amount of data on your machine and takes several minutes to run. Magic Jellybean, faster. VB Script, instantaneous!

 

[Joe Ciaravino]

Without a current product key I will be a dinosaur very soon.

This is what i have, see attached. I have to pay for a product key in order to remain covered after Win7 support ends.

I am willing to do that

Please advise.

 

[Snick]

You can use ImgBurn to burn the ISO to DVD, it will not fit on a CD as the ISO is 3.1 GB, or Rufus 2.18 or Rufus 2.18 Portable, (portable runs without installation on your computer) to burn the ISO to USB Stick/Thumb Drive. I've attached ie.cfg utility for you. If you run it and point it to the iso, USB or DVD it will alter the ie.cfg file, which is a text file, containing the instructions to a specific version of Win7. Either altering the ie.cfg file, renaming it, or deleting it will have the same ultimate effect, AIO (all in one) and every version, Basic, Home, Home Premium, & Ultimate will appear on the installation choice screen when you run the installation program. Enterprise version (volume licensed) is not on the disk, all the others are already on the disk. NOTE: If you install a version other than the one that corresponds to your product key, it will install, you will be able to update it for 30 days, (CMD slmgr -rearm), additional 30 days is available, I believe 2 more times, and then no more update from Microsoft.

 

[Snick]

Mainstream support mainly refers to free phone and online support, as well as non-security updates, which is offered for five years after the release of an OS or two years after its successor hits the market. Microsoft won't end security updates for your Windows 7 PC until Jan. 14, 2020

Microsoft stated that Windows 7 would be released to the general public on October 22, 2009. Microsoft released Windows 7 to MSDN and Technet subscribers on August 6, 2009, at 10:00 am PDT. Microsoft announced that Windows 7, along with Windows Server 2008 R2, was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009.

Windows 7 product support you're referring to ended July 22, 2014, 5 years after it was released to manufacturing. A new product key, which would a Windows 7 retail copy, to the best of my knowledge, is unavailable. An OEM version is available and will work, only if you have the correct OEM version for the Computer you are installing it on. Try the VB script, copy it to notepad, open the Microsoft download link and try it.

Don't know how you feel, but I despise paying for something that I can obtain for free, I LIKE FREE. As I stated previously, if you purchase an OEM copy from Ebay, Amazon, etc. you will have the DVD with Win7 on it, but the product key will not validate/become genuine on your custom built machine, only the particular brand of computer, that key was issue for.

If you try the VB script, click the popup, click on popup press CTRL + C and paste it into notepad, open link I provided, and either paste the key (if it will let you) or type it in, I believe it will work, providing it's a retail key and not OEM.

By the way, all my machines are OEM windows, except for the one I upgraded to Win10, which was an upgrade from Win7 OEM. Heidoc download tool, used to, but no longer works from any of my computers.

 

[Joe Ciaravino]

I located the product key by right clicking on "my computer".

It was verified by running "produckey.

It is all numerals (see my other post), which bothers me because Microsoft usually uses alpha numeric keys, I thought.

Anyway, the installation disk I have states that "you appear to have a different version of Windows 7 than this disk", and does not run. I threw it away.

So I will buy an old copy of Windows 7 online. They are reasonably priced.

Most say "32 and 64 bit installation". Is that what I need? Or do I need 64 bit only? Is there a difference between OEM and Retail versions?

I know that mine is Home Premium.

What do I need to know to ensure that it's same as my installation?

 

[Snick]

"productkey ? Are you referring to the Find Windows Product Key.vbs I provided?

Right-click on "My" Computer? "My" doesn't appear anywhere on my Win7 machines!

If you right-clicked on "Computer" -> "Properties", which is what I assume you did, the screen that appears is the System. The Product ID is at the bottom of the page, IT IS NOT THE PRODUCT KEY!

Yes, your are correct that key is alphanumeric.

Here's an example of the product KEY: T9YGH-7YM3T-X3QXQ-FQDGT-4JQ2R

Here's an example of the product ID: 30252-547-9691047-51313

I wouldn't trust buying an old copy of Windows 7 online, that is if you can even find one, anyone with a little know-how, can modify the installation files and insert malware, virus, keylogger, etc.

Find Windows Product Key.vbs will locate your product key. I used it to locate my product key, and any others I need to locate on customers machines. Never post your actual Key, for obvious reasons.

 

[Joe Ciaravino]

Question:

Click Start Orb -> right-click Computer -> click Properties.

1. What does it say in the lower left-hand corner above "Product ID"?

View attachment 402871

Please see post #50.

It says "Windows Is Activated".

 

[Joe Ciaravino]

"productkey ? Are you referring to the Find Windows Product Key.vbs I provided?

Right-click on "My" Computer? "My" doesn't appear anywhere on my Win7 machines!

If you right-clicked on "Computer" -> "Properties", which is what I assume you did, the screen that appears is the System. The Product ID is at the bottom of the page, IT IS NOT THE PRODUCT KEY!

Yes, your are correct that key is alphanumeric.

Here's an example of the product KEY: T9YGH-7YM3T-X3QXQ-FQDGT-4JQ2R

Here's an example of the product ID: 30252-547-9691047-51313

I wouldn't trust buying an old copy of Windows 7 online, that is if you can even find one, anyone with a little know-how, can modify the installation files and insert malware, virus, keylogger, etc.

Find Windows Product Key.vbs will locate your product key. I used it to locate my product key, and any others I need to locate on customers machines. Never post your actual Key, for obvious reasons.

I learned something. Never knew there were both an ID and a Key. Anyway I found the key (see my other thread) by using keyfinder. it is a 25 digit alphanumeric separated by dashes as your example.

Here is the keyfinder readout:

Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1
Product Part No.: X15-39013
Installed from 'Full Packaged Product' media.
Product ID: 00xx9-xxx-75xx696-xxxxx match to CD Key data
CD Key: xxxxx-xxx4G-xxxxx-F26JG-xxxxx
Computer Name: GLORIA
Registered Owner: Joe Ciaravino
Registered Organization:


What can you recommend I do. I do not have a working installation disk.

 

[Snick]

Please run the Mxdiag tool, from the link below.#

Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions

If your product key is valid, you can go to Microsoft Download page, enter the key, click verify, if its verified, then you will be able to download a genuine Microsoft ISO which you can burn to DVD with ImgBurn or USB stick with Rufus 2.18 or Rufus 2.18 Portable

 

[Joe Ciaravino]

Please run the Mxdiag tool, from the link below.#

Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions

If your product key is valid, you can go to Microsoft Download page, enter the key, click verify, if its verified, then you will be able to download a genuine Microsoft ISO which you can burn to DVD with ImgBurn or USB stick with Rufus 2.18 or Rufus 2.18 Portable

I can't thank you enough. It is valid and I posted the results at the link you sent me. I have ImgBurn and will get the ISO and convert to a DVD.

Once I do that can you walk me through a Repair Install?

 

[Joe Ciaravino]

I found the original ISO file that I purchased.

Please see the following:

I Need an Installation Disk for Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[Snick]

Here's two tutorials on Repair Install/Inplace Upgrade

Make sure you have your 25 character product key!

SevenForum Repair Install tutorial

Britec Computers Repair Install video