Win 7 Repair

[IrishLefty]

Is there an actual way to perform a Windows "Repair" using the Windows installation disc similar to how it was done with previous iterations of Windows? I've tried some of the things suggested here (and elsewhere) but they just do not work correctly. I do not want to completely reload Windows. Thank you.

 

[tgerbert]

It's been a little while since I've attempted, but I'm relatively sure that if you boot from a Windows 7 DVD one of the options should be "Repair" - is that not the case? Is there a specific problem you're trying to fix?

 

[SIW2]

You can perform startup repairs, or do a system restore from booting 7 dvd.

You cannot do a repair installation from boot if that's what you mean.

I believe you could do - in the olden days with xp .

Looks like they are bringing in a much improved method of doing that with Windows 8.

With Windows 7 it is only possible to do a repair install - if you can boot into 7.

 

[IrishLefty]

Yeah, I'm afraid you guys are right, Windows Repair no longer exists. I do not have the option for a "restore" or a complete re-install because I would loose way too much.

My problem is not that bad where I am willing to start all over again. I just lost everything except solid colors for my Desktop Background and nothing I tried will fix it. I know that Windows has at least one corrupted file that's causing it, and that's why I was hoping that someone found a way to run Windows Repair.

 

[SIW2]

With Windows 7 it is only possible to do a repair install - if you can boot into 7.

Here's How Repair Install

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

You can run a sfc /scan from WinRE to see if that may help, sometime it takes a couple runs to complete successfully and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.




SFC /SCANNOW : Run in Command Prompt at Boot

 

[IrishLefty]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately I've tried those techniques and they did not solve my problem. That's pretty much why I believe that I have at least one corrupted Windows file. Maybe Microsoft will reincorporate Windows Repair in Service Pack 2.

 

[Desslok]

Are you having a specific problem or just a bunch of different issues?

 

[IrishLefty]

Are you having a specific problem or just a bunch of different issues?

As I said earlier: "I just lost everything except solid colors for my Desktop Background and nothing I tried will fix it. I know that Windows has at least one corrupted file that's causing it, and that's why I was hoping that someone found a way to run Windows Repair."

It's not that important and I can live with it, but it irritates me that Microsoft would do away with one easy and effective way of fixing things that go wrong with Windows, i.e. Windows Repair.

 

[Desslok]

Are you having a specific problem or just a bunch of different issues?

As I said earlier: "I just lost everything except solid colors for my Desktop Background and nothing I tried will fix it. I know that Windows has at least one corrupted file that's causing it, and that's why I was hoping that someone found a way to run Windows Repair."

It's not that important and I can live with it, but it irritates me that Microsoft would do away with one easy and effective way of fixing things that go wrong with Windows, i.e. Windows Repair.

Did you even try as Bare Foot Kid said? Running SFC multiple times? One thing I have had good luck with with "wierd" issues is System Mechanic by Iolo Software. You can download a 30 day trial and see if that will clear it up. That software has helped me a bunch of times with issues I was unable to solve, and rebuild was not an option. Free and wont take long, worth a shot if SFC doesn't work. Good luck.

 

[gregrocker]

It's not clear: Have you run a Repair Install?

Starting with Vista Repair Install is done from the desktop, while repairs needed to be done when Win7 cannot boot have been automated into Startup Repair which is done from System Recovery Options.

These changes are logical improvements. There is no reason why the repair you possibly need can not be done from the desktop since it doesn't involve Win7 failing to boot.

I would also avoid tweaking Win7 including tweaking suites like System Mechanic, as 7 is too lean to tolerate compound tweaking and will almost always cause problems seen here every day

 

[IrishLefty]

Desslok -
I do appreciate you trying to solve my problem, I really do. I have run sfc several times starting when this problem started a couple of months ago, it does not help my specific problem. I have the "paid for" version of System Mechanic on my computer and have tried to see if it would do anything and - no luck. I've also tried downloading and running that program (I forget its name since I have gotten rid of it) that sets up new Desktop Background pictires and supposedly controls them - no luck. I am convinced that I have at least one corrupted Windows file that's doing this to me and the only way I'll be able to fix that file is through Windows Repair, which doesn't exist, or reloading Windows from scratch, which I am unwilling to do. A system restore will not work because I was forced to eliminate the stored points in order to solve another problem with a virus. Thanks anyway, I have to hope that Microsoft will reinstitute Windows Repair.

 

[IrishLefty]

Gregrocker -

Yes I tried to run a Repair Install, but it will not work for me. When I "take ownership" of my Themes, absolutely nothing happens. The solid color remains there no matter what I try. As I mentioned to Desslok, I tried downloading and running that Desktop Background program (it's recommended on this site) and nothing happened there either. There's something in Windows thats preventing any of these things from doing their jobs.

 

[gregrocker]

About twice per week users post up issues like you have with your theme and apparently System Restore. While trying to help fix these issues which sometimes won't repair, we invariably learn that tweaking has been done. If you use tweaking suites like System Mechanic, you will have these kinds of problems repeatedly.

Windows 7 is too lean to tolerate compound tweaking such as was popular in XP and early Vista to get better performance - it will almost always come back to bite you.

In your case you also are suffering from effects of a virus. If Malwarebytes and your AV come up clean now, and SFC doesn't find anything to repair, then you could still have residual damage from the infection which often requires a reinstall to finally overcome. Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[IrishLefty]

Unfortunately Gregrocker, I think you're correct. I have used Sys Mech, and it was prior to this problem for something else. I will run some "Malware" programs and some of those "HyjackThis" type of programs to see if I do have any hidden infections. Since I can live with the solid color Background, I am going to wait before I even consider reinstalling Windows. Thank you so much for putting up with me.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello.



Just FYI, HijackThis is out-dated and not reliable with Windows 7.

 

[IrishLefty]

Thanks BFK. I used it when I had Vista on this computer, but I haven't tried it since. I understand that there is a series of programs you have to go through now. Oh well, welcome to the life of Windows.

 

[IrishLefty]

I have a news flash. I just went to the Trend Micro web site and they are now saying that their HijackThis Version of 2.0.4 is indeed Windows 7 compatible. Now, the next question is - - - has anyone here actually tried it, and if so, does it work?

 

[hjonesMCT]

Hiya IrishLefty,

Sorry I'm late to the party. Greg mentioned it, but I'm not certain you caught what he said--and it was super helpful: Did you run Startup Repair, from the Advanced Boot Options menu? You can access it by hitting F8 when your computer starts.

Starting with Windows 7, Windows Repair is built into Startup Repair. It should check to see if you have any corrupt system files. Also, as an added benefit, as of Windows 7, it is also built into your OS on the disk--so no installation DVD required.

Information on Startup Repair

 

[IrishLefty]

Hjones -

I was going to do that, but I was under the impression that my installation disc would not work because I'm running Win 7 SP1 and my disc is prior to SP1. I read a warning somewhere to not attempt that. I will, however, give it a go later today - I'm taking my wife out for lunch in a few minutes. Are you sure that I will not have any compatibility problems?