Startup Repair failure - Now wont let me reinstall windows

[eMachine]

Major thanks in advance for anyone that can help.

Problem started on 11/29. Had a power failure during a Windows Update. Computer has since been unable to start. Startup Repair is unable to automatically fix the problem and it wont let me restore to an earlier point.

I followed much of this thread but was still unable to solve it.

I finally gave up and tried to install windows using the recovery partition on the HD but i'm getting an error message saying the windows installation is unable to complete.

I cannot do a complete wipe because this is my business' computer and there are pertinent files on there.

Can anyone help please? Thanks

 

[archer]

Hi eMachine, Welcome to Sevenforums.

There is a cool feature of the Windows Vista and 7 installers. If you have a previous install of Windows on the HDD (be it XP, Vista or 7) and start the new install it will actually do whats called a Old Files so long as you do not format the HDD.

What it does is it will install 7 and tak the old Windows install and put it on C:\ in a folder called 'Windows.Old'. This includes the entire old C:\ from the previous install including Program Files, Windows folder and User folder.

What you need to do is get into your BIOS (or if you have a OEM computer such as a Dell, HP or Toshiba press the button to open the boot manager) and tell it to boot to the CD/DVD. Have the Windows 7 install disk in the drive and boot to it. When it starts, tell it to install Windows and when you get to the part with the HDD, do not format it. Just click next. It will tell you it found a previous Windows installation and that it will move it to 'Windows.Old'. Continue with the install and there ya go.

You will have access to all the old files you had before, minus Programs since they wont be registered properly but will still be there.

 

[eMachine]

sorry double post.

 

[eMachine]

Thanks I am aware of that feature. My problem like you said, is that I cannot run certain programs and I would have to repurchase licenses for them.

I started a new thread so I will contribute on that instead.

This thread can be closed.