Solved What do I do?

[mccoady]

A year ago I upgraded from XP Pro to 7 Home Premium and a few days later after installing a few things I made an image backup but unfortunately have never made another one since then. A couple of days ago I tried to upgrade Windows Live Essentials to 2011 on my desktop computer and it basically wrecked it. I had already upgraded my lap with no problems so I was shocked with what it did to my desktop.

I tried everything including a System Restore (several) and uninstalling and reinstalling Windows Live essentials several times but to no avail I use WLM for my email and it would not open plus my wife uses Messenger and it wouldn't open (I was getting several error screens WLM).

I finally decide to restore from the image I had created a year ago and figured that would solve the problem and yes WLM and messenger work fine but I've ran into other issues.

When I tried installing some programs like Avast, iTunes, etc. I got some error screen during install about it using 16 bit so and so and it wasn't present and the program might not work right. I ignored the screen and everything did go ahead and install ok and all the programs seems to be working but something can't be right since I got the screens.

Also I had 72 Windows updates but half of them failed to install and after rebooting I'm in a loop the screen says "Failure configuring Windows updates Reverting changes, Do not turn off your computer". I can shut it down but it reverts back to the Windows configuring screen.

What do I need to do I'm kind of desperate here?

 

[fseal]

While others may be able to give you a more surgical method of fixing this. You might want to consider now doing a backup of your files and export your user settings using the Settings and Transfer Wizard (to another non windows root drive) before anything else is done.

Once that's done, in the end you will be able to then reformat and reinstall windows, restore your user settings, then reinstall your software...

But after you have saved all your files and settings, you might try doing a "Repair Insta;ll" from the Windows disk...

 

[Bill2]

Whats the problem? Just reinstall win7.

 

[zigzag3143]

A year ago I upgraded from XP Pro to 7 Home Premium and a few days later after installing a few things I made an image backup but unfortunately have never made another one since then. A couple of days ago I tried to upgrade Windows Live Essentials to 2011 on my desktop computer and it basically wrecked it. I had already upgraded my lap with no problems so I was shocked with what it did to my desktop.

I tried everything including a System Restore (several) and uninstalling and reinstalling Windows Live essentials several times but to no avail I use WLM for my email and it would not open plus my wife uses Messenger and it wouldn't open (I was getting several error screens WLM).

I finally decide to restore from the image I had created a year ago and figured that would solve the problem and yes WLM and messenger work fine but I've ran into other issues.

When I tried installing some programs like Avast, iTunes, etc. I got some error screen during install about it using 16 bit so and so and it wasn't present and the program might not work right. I ignored the screen and everything did go ahead and install ok and all the programs seems to be working but something can't be right since I got the screens.

Also I had 72 Windows updates but half of them failed to install and after rebooting I'm in a loop the screen says "Failure configuring Windows updates Reverting changes, Do not turn off your computer". I can shut it down but it reverts back to the Windows configuring screen.

What do I need to do I'm kind of desperate here?

Do you have your win 7 dvd?

Is there any important data that you cant live without?


Ken

 

[mccoady]

Yes I have the Windows 7 disc I'm just not sure how I go about reinstalling Windows don't want to accidently reformat it. I do have Carbonite backing up my important info though (finally got out of a loop and back on desktop).

 

[Bill2]

Repair install.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

 

[mccoady]

Ok I'm on my desktop and have inserted Windows 7 disk to start the repair but Windows 7 disk is not starting and it is not showing up in "Computer" how can I get it to run?

 

[Bill2]

Ok I'm on my desktop and have inserted Windows 7 disk to start the repair but Windows 7 disk is not starting and it is not showing up in "Computer" how can I get it to run?

You need to boot from the win7 install dvd. Insert the dvd in the tray, close the tray, restart the computer and choose to boot from dvd. Make sure optical drive is the first in the boot priority order in the bios.

 

[mccoady]

Yeah I've already tried that and after it gets done loading Windows files I get to another screen with option to "Install" or "Repair" so I choose "Repair". I then get the system Recovery Options and it has found windows 7 (highlighted) on my C drive so I select "Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows. I click next and get several options and I select the first "Startup Repair" and then click Restart. It reboots and then I again have the option of choosing to reboot from the Windows disk if I do nothing it goes back to my desktop if I choose to boot from the disk it starts all over from the beginning. A little confused here?

Ok I went back and selected "Install" and "Upgrade" but then it tells you to take the disk out and reboot so Windows runs normally but then do you boot from the disk again?

 

[gregrocker]

You do not boot from the DVD to do a Repair Install. RUn it from the desktop as an in-place Upgrade. Stay connected to the internet to get needed Updates into installer. Resolve any issues presented by googling them or coming back here.

Repair Install

You'll know after the Repair Install if the corruption carries over requiring a Clean Reinstall. We can help walk you through that to get the perfect install.

Clean Install Windows 7

 

[mccoady]

You do not boot from the DVD to do a Repair Install. RUn it from the desktop as an in-place Upgrade. Stay connected to the internet to get needed Updates into installer. Resolve any issues presented by googling them or coming back here.

Repair Install

You'll know after the Repair Install if the corruption carries over requiring a Clean Reinstall. We can help walk you through that to get the perfect install.

Clean Install Windows 7

I thought that's what the repair tutorial said to do to run the repair from your desktop until I was told to boot from the disk.

Okay now back to installing Windows 7 repair from my desktop after loading the disk in the drive it won't run the program it's like there's nothing in the drive tray nor does it show up in "Computer", it started fine when I was booting from the disk.

In Device Manager both my drives have a yellow exclamation point not sure what the problem is or how to fix them funny they work when booting to them. The drives show they have drivers what do I need to do

How do I get the Windows 7 disk to initiate?

 

[gregrocker]

Go to Start>Devices and Printers (or Control Panel if not on your start menu) and you should see the same yellow exclamation mark on device or your Computer. Rightclick to run the Troubleshooter to find out what is erroring.

Did you use the drivers installed with WIn7 DVD, and have kept up with newer supplied via optional Windows Updates? In that case, you may need to try importing your chipset from the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer to get the correct SATA driver.

Can you use another computer to extract DVD files to your deskstop over your network or to flash stick to run Setup (as Admin) that way? Your DVD drive may be blinky, but more likely it is an issue with SATA controller since you have the Dev Mgr errors.

Or it could be more general OS probs: Google repeat errors text from Event Viewer>Custom Views>Admin to see if anything is obvious and how others have resolved them. Check also the Performance log located on Advanced Tools page accessed by clicking WEI score at Computer>Properties. Look for issues cued at the top of Tools page, and Generate a System Health Report.

 

[mccoady]

Go to Start>Devices and Printers (or Control Panel if not on your start menu) and you should see the same yellow exclamation mark on device or your Computer. Rightclick to run the Troubleshooter to find out what is erroring.

Did you use the drivers installed with WIn7 DVD, and have kept up with newer supplied via optional Windows Updates? In that case, you may need to try importing your chipset from the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer to get the correct SATA driver.

Can you use another computer to extract DVD files to your deskstop over your network or to flash stick to run Setup (as Admin) that way? Your DVD drive may be blinky, but more likely it is an issue with SATA controller since you have the Dev Mgr errors.

Or it could be more general OS probs: Google repeat errors text from Event Viewer>Custom Views>Admin to see if anything is obvious and how others have resolved them. Check also the Performance log located on Advanced Tools page accessed by clicking WEI score at Computer>Properties. Look for issues cued at the top of Tools page, and Generate a System Health Report.

I tried running Trouble shooter and it says "An unexpected error has occurred the trouble-shooting wizard can't continue".

Yes I probably used the Windows 7 drivers and have always updated any drivers that appeared in Windows Update. Boy I'm not sure I understand how to import my chipset

I guess you are saying to load the disk in my laptop but how do I extract the files to my desktop so I don't mess up my laptop?

When I try to open Event Viewer I get an error screen "MMC cannot create the snap-in might have been installed incorrectly".

Did get some report error reporting software come up saying there were 11 problems with Windows Installer Module whatever that is.

I cannot not get Performance, Information and Tools to come up if that is the WEI score you are talking about.

I forgot to mention that I also have a yellow exclamation point in front of PCI Communications Controller don't know if that's important.

At this point I'm a little lost on what to do unless you can further explain how to extract files from the Windows 7 disk.

 

[gregrocker]

You need to find a way to get the Repair Install to run, whether by swapping another DVD drive in to try it, extracting the files from DVD using UltraISO trial or 7Zip on another computer to flash stick, external or send over the network. This is a set of files you can copy to your desktop to run Setup as Admin by rightclicking on it.

If you cannot do this, I'd back up my files, wipe the HD to overwrite corrupt or possibly infected code then Clean Reinstall.

Before doing this, make sure you have the latest BIOS update also from the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer. Did you even go there to look before saying you don't know how to import chipset?

If you have the latest BIOS, reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS

Then also in BIOS setup, set SATA controller to AHCI first, then IDE if necessary.

Next wipe the HD before clean installing Win7: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[mccoady]

Is this what you mean by extracting the files http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/42776-extract-files-windows-7-installation-dvd.html if so do I extract the whole Windows\System32 folder?

No I didn't try going to support downloads page this is getting a little over my head I don't want to further screw things up. How do I know what BIOS version I have? I have an intel DG965WH would I download and install this http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Desktop+Boards&ProductLine=Intel%C2%AE+965+Express+Chipset+Family+Boards&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Desktop+Board+DG965WH (32 bit) . My computer is a locally built computer so no name brand.

I really do appreciate any help you can give me and I'm not trying to make you do the leg work but as I said this is getting a little over my head without specific instructions. Thanks!

 

[gregrocker]

Try clearing the CMOS first. YOu really need an OS to safely update the BIOS.

What I do to extract the DVD files is place the DVD in a working OD, rightclick on it in Computer to Open, then highlight all of the files show and drag them to the desktop or a flashstick. Once extracted this way, plug the flash stick into the target computer, rightclick on Setup to Run (Repair Install) As Admin. Or send them over the network to the target computer from your desktop.

You can also create a bootable flash stick with the DVD ISO. Install ImgBurn, extract the Image file (ISO), then install UltraISO trial version, open ISO on File tab, Write Image File on Bootable tab, Format first, then Write. Now boot the stick using the one-time BIOS boot menu given on first boot screen - it may be listed under HD's or USB.

 

[mccoady]

Greg a little hesitate about going into the BIOS but I will try are these the steps you want me to follow:

1. Clear or reset BIOS - Will I need to write any settings down?

2. Install this: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=10884&ProdId=2375&lang=eng

3. Try to extract files from the Windows 7 files on another computer and transfer to the desktop of my corrupted computer then run Repair Install.

 

[gregrocker]

I am in the DFW airport now and cannot help you until around 9 pm EST. Work on the Repair Install until then. Try to get your DVD to run. If not, copy the files off of it and transfer them to the problem computer to run the Repair Install which steps are linked earlier.

 

[mccoady]

Ok Greg I was able to run the Repair Install and I may be close to having it fixed but I'll let you be the judge I had two minor (I'm hoping) issues either during or after the repair:

1. When I ran the repair there was one compatibility issue: "C:\Windows\System32\SmiEngine.dll is either not designed to run in Windows or it contains errors" but it went ahead and ran through the repair. Do you know what this is or can it be ignored I've haven't noticed any issues that I'm aware of?

2. Out of 49 Windows Updates I had three that failed to install: (KB978886), (KB97662), (KB2387149), before the repair most of these wouldn't install. I tried googling but couldn't tell what they were or how important they were.

I see there is the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 Description of the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista, for Windows Server 2008, for Windows 7, and for Windows Server 2008 R2 do you think this would help with the failed updates?

SO FAR (besides the above issues) everything seems fine I have my dvd drives back and Windows Live Mail is working, do you think it is fixed?

 

[Pusspa]

sometimes when doing lots of updates at once some can fail as the computer needs to reboot to finish other updates, have you tried selecting one update at a time of the three that failed and installing them individually?

EDIT: you will need to have windows updates set to only download and notify to get the chance to do them separately, not automatically update.