Repair Install doesn't work

[BuzzKillington]

Hello,

I tried to do a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html following this tutorial, but the Compatibility Report says:
"Windows 7 Professional cannot be upgraded to Windows 7 Professional. You can choose to install a new copy of Windows 7 Professional instead, but this is different from an upgrade, and does not keep your files, settings, and programs. You’ll need to reinstall any programs using the original installation discs or files. To save your files before installing Windows, back them up to an external location such as a CD, DVD, or external hard drive. To install a new copy of Windows 7 Professional, click the Back button in the upper left-hand corner, and select “Custom (advanced)”."

I have Win 7 SP1, but only a Win 7 disc without SP1.

Why does it not work? Please help

BuzzKillington

 

[whs]

Yeah, the pre SP1 DVDs do not work on SP1 systems. You can try this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/145343-slipstream-windows-7-sp1-into-installation-dvd-iso-file.html

 

[BuzzKillington]

But HE says you can use a retail Win 7 DVD. Apparently, there are two options, uninstall SP1 or make a new DVD with SP1. I prefer the first option though.

Edit: I am currently uninstalling SP1, but it runs for a while and I can't see any progress (the progress bar is full).

BTW: "You cannot use a slipstream Windows 7 installation disc to do a repair install with on a currently installed Windows 7 SP1."

 

[Brink]

Hello BuzzKillington,

It's to late now since you are uninstalling SP1, but did you try doing the repair install with step 5 since your retail Windows 7 installation disc does not have SP1 included and your current installation did?

Give it time to uninstall the SP1 without interrupting it. It may take a bit to finish, and seem like it's frozen at times.

 

[BuzzKillington]

Apparently, I didn't uninstall it.

Long story short: I uninstalled it, restarted, problem with winload.exe, startup repair with dvd, restarted, and the Service Pack is still there!

And yes, I did follow it with step 5.

 

[Brink]

It appears that you may only be able to do a clean install then. Be sure to backup anything that you do not want to lose first.

 

[BuzzKillington]

It's settled then. I have to do a clean install. If that's the only solution.