Reinstalling Windows 7

[duanebytes]

Hey guys, I want to ask something..

If I were to reinstall Windows 7, do I need the original disc? I asked this because, when I bought my PC, my seller didn't give me any recovery discs.

What I can think of now are:
Reset to factory settings.
OR maybe..
I can somehow deactivate my current product key/serial then download Windows Home Premium x64(that's my OS) setup, clean install then reactivate it again.

If both doesn't work maybe I should just get "unofficial" version then do a clean install, but since my PC is still under Acer's warranty, I do not dare to modify anything.

AND if I did reinstall, is there any way to update safely? Because last time I remembered(on my other PC) I downloaded the updates and next thing I get is BSOD. It's frustrating you know, to keep reinstalling Windows again and again, I hope it won't happen in my new PC which I only used for 7 months.

Your replies are greatly appreciated.

 

[Ponmayilal]

First let us have some more information on why you want to reinstall Windows.

Is it because

you have encountered some problems with the current installation.

or

you want to keep yourself prepared for such an eventuality?

If you are happy with the factory installation, then the easiest course is the factory reset. You can always remove any antivirus programs with the authors' clean tool and install your choice of antivirus. You may remove any other bloatware by using PC Decrapifier.

From the info I have gathered from this forum, you may do a clean install, provided you have the media and the License key.

If you do not have the media you can always borrow one from a friend and copy it. You can even google search and download. Be sure to stick to the Windows 7 version licensed to you.

Please do note down the License Key from the Certificate of Authenticity sticker on your PC. Even if it is not there or got obliterated, you can run Speccy on your current system and get it. Do note it down and save it in some safe location.

Before doing any such clean install or even otherwise, do take an image of all the partitions in your drive and save it to optical media or external HDD (recommended). Many people here recommend the free Macrium reflect for imaging.

 

[Neutron16]

Using someone else's Windows 7 disc is not permitted under the terms of the Microsoft Software License Agreement.

But if there was no disc with this computer, may be there is a hidden partition with a back-up of Windows 7?

Also you can buy recovery cd from Acer
Acer Support: Welcome to Acer Support

Acer have their own Windows 7 Home Premium x64 OEM edition with their codes and things inside that disc
(OEM versions are different from Retail versions you see in Walmart).

In case if you decide to join the dark side - intellectual property violations discussions are not permitted on this forum.

Regarding updates, you can always uninstall problematic updates in Safe mode (F8 before windows starts).
Advanced startup options (including safe mode)

But most likely this time you won't experience BSOD's on a new computer with standard updates.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello!



Here's some interesting info you may find useful, and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media; if you can find an exact Windows version that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone


If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create


After you have made backups of everything you care to save, the best method is to do a complete wipe (secure erase) of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old drivers/programs, giving you the best possible space to install Windows to.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[gregrocker]

You don't need to deactivate Win7 before reinstalling with the Product Key on the COA sticker. There should be no problem with reactivating on the same hardware - just insert the key during install.

Many tech enthusiasts find a clean-copy DVD of their OS version and reinstall using the OEM Product Key on the COA sticker on machine. Any retail installer can also have all versions unlocked by extracting the ISO using ImgBurn, running the ei.cfg removal tool, then burning an all-versions DVD to install your licensed version.

Back up your files externally, make your Recovery Disks so you have a path back to factory condition, or save a Backup Image of the entire HD first. Back up installed drivers from windows/system32/drivers, run an audit of installed hardware and software including keys using Belarc Advisor. Gather your program installers.

Boot the Windows 7 installer, choose Custom Install, then Drive Options (Advanced) to Delete all partitions not needed, following illustrated steps given here: Clean Install Windows 7

If you Delete all partitions to create New one(s) and Format, the installer will issue a 100mb System Reserved boot partition which conveniently places the Repair Console (normally only on the DVD or Repair CD) on the F8 Advanced Boot Options menu. Partition as you wish and Format before installing to first OS partition.

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating and check for optional Updates several times.

Any drivers still missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance changes after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they slow startup, become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Startup Programs - Change

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner Disk and Registry tabs, then Puran boot-time defragger after adding it's Intelligent Optimizer on Additional Operations tab.
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/Puran-Defra...-75115626.html

Finally save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD (or replacement) using DVD/Repair CD with the stored image. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

 

[Wishmaster]

I didnt think using someone else copy of Win7 was a issue.



Please correct me if wrong, but ...
As far as I was aware, the actual media doesnt matter (in terms of breaking the agreement).
What matters is that your Key is legit, & it matches the type you install (Home Premium, Ultimate etc)


I would make sure its a Geniune Disc however, and not a pirated copy.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I didnt think using someone else copy of Win7 was a issue.



Please correct me if wrong, but ...
As far as I was aware, the actual media doesnt matter (in terms of breaking the agreement).
What matters is that your Key is legit, & it matches the type you install (Home Premium, Ultimate etc)


I would make sure its a Geniune Disc however, and not a pirated copy.

You are correct, the media does not matter.

 

[duanebytes]

First let us have some more information on why you want to reinstall Windows.

Is it because

you have encountered some problems with the current installation.

or

you want to keep yourself prepared for such an eventuality?

If you are happy with the factory installation, then the easiest course is the factory reset. You can always remove any antivirus programs with the authors' clean tool and install your choice of antivirus. You may remove any other bloatware by using PC Decrapifier.

From the info I have gathered from this forum, you may do a clean install, provided you have the media and the License key.

If you do not have the media you can always borrow one from a friend and copy it. You can even google search and download. Be sure to stick to the Windows 7 version licensed to you.

Please do note down the License Key from the Certificate of Authenticity sticker on your PC. Even if it is not there or got obliterated, you can run Speccy on your current system and get it. Do note it down and save it in some safe location.

Before doing any such clean install or even otherwise, do take an image of all the partitions in your drive and save it to optical media or external HDD (recommended). Many people here recommend the free Macrium reflect for imaging.

Well I want to reinstall Windows because I experienced PC crashes on startup and I have installed many useless drivers and applications for the the past months. Now that I know what drivers and applications I need, I'm thinking of starting again with only the applications and drivers I need.

But, I really hate reinstalling Windows, because I have to reinstall my applications plus the updates of every applications again. Esp Adobe applications and Visual Studio 2010 which has a lot of updates, with only 512kbps connection, it's taking forever.

I didnt think using someone else copy of Win7 was a issue.



Please correct me if wrong, but ...
As far as I was aware, the actual media doesnt matter (in terms of breaking the agreement).
What matters is that your Key is legit, & it matches the type you install (Home Premium, Ultimate etc)


I would make sure its a Geniune Disc however, and not a pirated copy.

Well if I want to look for a genuine disc. where can I download it? I don't think I can get one. Except from the dark side.



I don't understand why they don't distribute any recovery discs.
I think I'm not reinstalling, I'll just fix the crashes on startup and remove useless apps and drivers.

 

[gregrocker]

If you download from the internet, be sure to check the comments that nothing has been added, scan the ISO with Malwarebytes and your AV. If in doubt, check the HASH against official Win7 HASH given in Details on Technet subscriber downloads webpage.

Do yourself a favor and use the drivers given by the installer and quickly updated via optional Windows Updates. Only import drivers then missing in Device Manager, or if performance problems point to a specific driver. This is not like XP - Win7 is the authority on its own drivers.

Once you have it set up and working as you like, save a Win7 backup image so you never have to reinstall again - just reimage HD or it's replacement using DVD from stored image.

You can even migrate your Win7 or it's image to another computer using SysPrep to move HD to another computer, or Paragon Adaptive Restore CD.

 

[duanebytes]

Can I download from here?
Windows 7 (Home Premium) - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Then use my key?

And one more thing, what does the reset to factory option actually does?

 

[Tepid]

All new computers and laptops come with a Restore Partition
You should contact Acer on how to restore your system to factory defaults and how to create the restore disks.

If you do not do that, which you should.

The only other thing you can do is get the official disks, either by purchasing them from Acer or from a source you trust.

I have no idea what that is on Cnet, not sure I would use it. As there is no Hash to check against. (nice of them)

The only time the original Media matters is when you are reselling a system.
Technically, (according to Microsoft Reseller Agreement) you can not resell a PC with Windows installed and not provide the orginal media (either by restore partition or by that OEM's restore media), if you have niether, you can not legally sell the system with windows installed, you need to format the drive. Technically.

 

[Ponmayilal]

Can I download from here?
Windows 7 (Home Premium) - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Then use my key?

And one more thing, what does the reset to factory option actually does?

What is given in CNET Download.com is a purchase only download. You have to purchase it to download it. The download link will take you directly to Microsoft.

A factory reset or restore will restore your PC to the condition it was when you received your computer first. That means that it will have only the factory installed Windows 7 plus all the bloatware crap that came with it. It will permanently delete all data on the hard drive and remove any programs or drivers installed after you received your computer. So do back up any data you have stored in it and save it elsewhere before using this option.

Since you did not receive any restore CDs, I presume that your system may have a recovery partition on the hard disk drive. If so, have a look here on how to reinstall your OS.

As indicated in my first post, this will be the easiest option for you given your intention to go back and start on a clean slate.

If you are not happy with it, then you can go in for a clean install. If you do download the "Integrated Windows 7 SP1 ISO download" through a google search, do verify it as Gregrocker has indicated. Please do go through the posts by Bare Foot Kid and Gregrocker on the clean install. Good luck.

 

[theog]

Manual how to use Acer eRecovery Management here:
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/empowering_technology/NB%20ET2%20user's%20guide/Acer%20eRecovery%20Management%20English.pdf

pressing <Alt+F10> at boot up, to goto the Acer eRecovery Management.
Acer Support: Frequently Asked Questions list for How to use Acer eRecovery


You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer

 

[duanebytes]

Manual how to use Acer eRecovery Management here:
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/empowering_technology/NB%20ET2%20user's%20guide/Acer%20eRecovery%20Management%20English.pdf

pressing <Alt+F10> at boot up, to goto the Acer eRecovery Management.
Acer Support: Frequently Asked Questions list for How to use Acer eRecovery


You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer

Yea. I Saw the eRecovery thingy too. But it important to create a factory disc before using the PC. I already used the PC for like more than 6 months. Can I still do it?

 

[Bill2]

You can make the recovery disks any time, it has nothing to do with your using the PC as long as you didnt fiddle with the oem recovery partition or reinstall windows or corrupted the recovery partition in some way. So just go agead and make them.

 

[duanebytes]

You can make the recovery disks any time, it has nothing to do with your using the PC as long as you didnt fiddle with the oem recovery partition or reinstall windows or corrupted the recovery partition in some way. So just go agead and make them.

Ok thanks.