Win 7 to Win 10: Last Train to Format Station

[Confuselled]

Hi, all-

I've been fighting with my PC since July to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and I am at my wit's end.
I'm just about ready to perform a clean install of Windows 7 to see if that will upgrade to Windows 10, but I thought I would post one more time to see if anyone has a suggestion for getting around this error message I've found in SetupDiag:
Error: 0x8007007B - 0x50015
LogEntry: 2022-08-11 03:00:33, Error SP CMountWIM:oExecute: Failed to mount WIM file C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\SafeOS\winre.wim.

For reference, these are my original posts from July:
"Windows 10 installation has failed" Whut 2 dew?
"Windows 10 installation has failed" - Windows 10 Forums

Since those posts in July I have done everything suggested as well as a few other things:
1.Downloaded the current Win 10 ISO & burned it to a DVD.
2. Updated my BIOS & drivers.
3. Manually uninstalled Norton 360.
4. Run CHKDSK multiple times
5. Run System File Checker multiple times.
6. Tried upgrading using every permutation I can think of:
DVD ISO with Network Connection OFF
DVD ISO with Network Connection ON
Run Setup.exe downloaded from Microsoft w/Network Connection OFF
Run Setup.exe downloaded from Microsoft w/Network Connection ON

To get the error messages I've been running the "Panther" folder thru SetupDiag on another PC that is running Win 10. The first time I did this, I found an error relating to the installation path that was easily fixed by changing a registry entry.

This got my hopes up, but since then I've been stuck on the above error message.

One thing that might be important: When I installed my current HD a few years ago I installed both Macrium and Acronis. I ended up using Acronis to clone my old HD to the new, larger HD, not sure why I used that over Macrium, but the first error message I received from SetupDiag referred to a missing wimmount.sys file in the Macrium folder, which was no longer on my system:
DriverPath: C:\program files\macrium\reflect\wimmount.sys

Changing the path fixed that issue.:
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\wimmount.sys

So...any ideas on how I can make this blasted thing work?

If not, would you recommend cloning my current drive using Macrium over, say, just doing a straight copy of my current HD to an external HD?

My inclination is to just copy my HD, format it, install Windows & use the copied files on my external HD as needed.

Oh, current Windows version is:
Version 6.1 (Build 7601: Service Pack 1)

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Best,

Sam

PS- For the record, I may take a quick look at gatherosstate.exe, before doing a clean install, if that ends up being my path.

 

[SIW2]

For the record, I may take a quick look at gatherosstate.exe, before doing a clean install, if that ends up being my path.

That might end up being the way to do it.

But first are you able to mount wim files in your current win7 ?

 

[Megahertz07]

Why don't you try first a Repair Install . It will reinstall Windows keeping your files and programs.

Then, if you still want to downgrade to Win 10, use 7Zip to extract all files and folders from the Win 10 iso file to the a folder and then run Setup.exe

Sometimes it just don't downgrade . I had a Sony Vaio that didn't. And on a Win 7 OEM (SLP license) there is no Win 7 key to retrieve. In this case use Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First. It will create some files to be used to activate Win 10 after a clean install

 

[Confuselled]

But first are you able to mount wim files in your current win7 ?

SIW2- Apologies for the delay in responding, the last few weeks have been busy, including welcoming a little one into the world!

So, I'm in a little over my head re: mounting a wim file.

I found the DISM command on my PC & I tried mounting the WIM file manually using various commands:
Dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\SafeOS\winre.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:\test\offline

Dism /Mount-Wim /ImageFile:C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\SafeOS\winre.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:\test\offline

Dism /Mount-Wim /Image:C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\SafeOS\winre.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:\test\offline

Dism /Mount-Wim /Online:C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\SafeOS\winre.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:\test\offline

The above was a bit of experimenting, based on a Microsoft page that discusses mounting a WIM file in Windows 8.

So, I'm hoping you can provide a little direction here:
1. Should I be able to mount the WIM from the "$WINDOWS" folder?
2. Is there an easy way to test whether or not I can mount a wim file?

Best,

Sam

 

[SIW2]

Probably easiest to copy boot.wim from the installation media sources folder onto C:

then try and mount c:\boot.wim

you need to create an empty folder to mount it. You can give the folder any name you like, might as well call it MOUNT.

create a folder called C:\MOUNT

DISM /Mount-image /imagefile:c:\boot.wim /Index:1 /MountDir:c:\mount

 

[Megahertz07]

How much free drive space you have on C:?
You should have at least 30G free space.

Please post a whole window Disk Manager image of your drives. Don't forget to expand the columns so we can read them. Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image
If you have a MiniTool or AOMEI Partition use it instead or Windows disk manager.

 

[Confuselled]

Probably easiest to copy boot.wim from the installation media sources folder onto C:
then try and mount c:\boot.wim
you need to create an empty folder to mount it. You can give the folder any name you like, might as well call it MOUNT.
create a folder called C:\MOUNT
DISM /Mount-image /imagefile:c:\boot.wim /Index:1 /MountDir:c:\mount

SIW2- I followed the steps you listed & received this error:


These are the options listed for DISM:


So I changed Mount-image to Mount-Wim & got this error:


So, then I typed DISM /Mount-Wim /? to see this:


Based on that, I tried running their sample command:


Now, I am really tired, but I'm pretty sure I typed all that in correctly.

I'm more Confuselled than ever.

Did I go wrong with the /Mount-Wim command?

Should I just buy a Mac?

Any thoughts?

Best,

Sam

 

[SIW2]

Did I go wrong with the /Mount-Wim command?

you were correct.

I forgot the commands for win7 are different and gave you the commands for newer versions of dism by mistake.

DISM.exe /Mount-Wim /WimFile:C:\boot.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:\mount

should work if c:\boot.wim and c:\mount exist.

 

[Confuselled]

you were correct.
I forgot the commands for win7 are different and gave you the commands for newer versions of dism by mistake.
DISM.exe /Mount-Wim /WimFile:C:\boot.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:\mount
should work if c:\boot.wim and c:\mount exist.

@SIW2- OK, I ran the command and now things are getting interesting or weird, or maybe both.

I received this error message:


I opened the log file and it appears the command is looking for my "D:" drive:
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM PID=3208 Scratch directory set to 'C:\Users\WINDOW~1\AppData\Local\Temp\'. - CDISMManager:ut_ScratchDir
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM PID=3208 Successfully loaded the ImageSession at "C:\Windows\System32\Dism" - CDISMManager::LoadImageSession
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Found and Initialized the DISM Logger. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_InitializeLogger
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Failed to get and initialize the PE Provider. Continuing by assuming that it is not a WinPE image. - CDISMProviderStore::Final_OnConnect
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Finished initializing the Provider Map. - CDISMProviderStore::Final_OnConnect
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Getting Provider DISMLogger - CDISMProviderStore::GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Provider has previously been initialized. Returning the existing instance. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Getting Provider DISMLogger - CDISMProviderStore::GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Provider has previously been initialized. Returning the existing instance. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Manager: PID=3208 Successfully created the local image session and provider store. - CDISMManager::CreateLocalImageSession
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Getting Provider DISMLogger - CDISMProviderStore::GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Provider has previously been initialized. Returning the existing instance. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE:
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: <----- Starting Dism.exe session ----->
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE:
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Host machine information: OS Version=6.1.7601, Running architecture=amd64, Number of processors=8
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Executing command line: DISM.exe /Mount-Wim /WimFile:C:\boot.wim /index:1 /MountDir:c:\mount
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Getting the collection of providers from a local provider store type. - CDISMProviderStore::GetProviderCollection
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Provider has not previously been encountered. Attempting to initialize the provider. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Loading Provider from location C:\Windows\System32\Dism\WimProvider.dll - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Connecting to the provider located at C:\Windows\System32\Dism\WimProvider.dll. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_LoadProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Provider has not previously been encountered. Attempting to initialize the provider. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Loading Provider from location C:\Windows\System32\Dism\FolderProvider.dll - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Connecting to the provider located at C:\Windows\System32\Dism\FolderProvider.dll. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_LoadProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Provider has not previously been encountered. Attempting to initialize the provider. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Loading Provider from location C:\Windows\System32\Dism\CompatProvider.dll - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Connecting to the provider located at C:\Windows\System32\Dism\CompatProvider.dll. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_LoadProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Got the collection of providers. Now enumerating them to build the command table.
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Attempting to add the commands from provider: WimManager
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Succesfully registered commands for the provider: WimManager.
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Attempting to add the commands from provider: FolderManager
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Attempting to add the commands from provider: DISM Log Provider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Attempting to add the commands from provider: Compatibility Manager
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Succesfully registered commands for the provider: Compatibility Manager.
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Getting Provider WimManager - CDISMProviderStore::GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Provider has previously been initialized. Returning the existing instance. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Error DISM DISM WIM Provider: PID=3208 Failed to mount the image. - CWimImageInfo::Mount(hr:0x8007007b)
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Error DISM DISM WIM Provider: PID=3208 d:\w7rtm\base\ntsetup\opktools\dism\providers\wimprovider\dll\wimmanager.cpp:999 - CWimManager::InternalOpMount(hr:0x8007007b)
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Error DISM DISM WIM Provider: PID=3208 d:\w7rtm\base\ntsetup\opktools\dism\providers\wimprovider\dll\wimmanager.cpp:2247 - CWimManager::InternalCmdMount(hr:0x8007007b)
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Error DISM DISM WIM Provider: PID=3208 Error executing command - CWimManager::InternalExecuteCmd(hr:0x8007007b)
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Error DISM DISM WIM Provider: PID=3208 d:\w7rtm\base\ntsetup\opktools\dism\providers\wimprovider\dll\wimmanager.cpp:516 - CWimManager::ExecuteCmdLine(hr:0x8007007b)
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Image session has been closed. Reboot required=no.
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE:
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE: <----- Ending Dism.exe session ----->
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM.EXE:
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Image Session: PID=3208 Disconnecting the provider store - CDISMImageSession::Final_OnDisconnect
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Disconnecting Provider: WimManager - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_DisconnectProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Disconnecting Provider: FolderManager - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_DisconnectProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Found the OSServices. Waiting to finalize it until all other providers are unloaded. - CDISMProviderStore::Final_OnDisconnect
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Disconnecting Provider: Compatibility Manager - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_DisconnectProvider
2022-09-17 23:45:31, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=3208 Releasing the local reference to DISMLogger. Stop logging. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_DisconnectProvider

I do have a second hard drive in my PC, it's the original 2Tb hard drive that I replaced with the current 4Tb hard drive, but I unplugged it for the Win 10 upgrade. However, I think this was after a few attempts at running the Windows 10 upgrade.

Is it possible that my old hard drive has somehow been linked to the upgrade process?

For reference, here is a screenshot of my existing hard drive & the DVD containing the ISO:


Do you have any thoughts on what this mad PC of mine is doing?

Best,

Sam
"Curiouser and curiouser!"- Alice in Wonderland

 

[SIW2]

Have you used any tools such as waik ?

Might have happened during creation of macrium recovery media.

 

[Confuselled]

Have you used any tools such as waik ?

Might have happened during creation of macrium recovery media.

@SIW2- Looking through my notes from when I upgraded to my current hard drive, I see that I did try cloning the old drive using Macrium, and I did create Rescue Media, but I ultimately ended up using Acronis because I needed to change the new drive from MBR to GPT so I could extend the partition after cloning.

I plugged my old hard drive in, booted my PC & this is what displays in Explorer:


Here are the contents of D:


I ran DSIM again, received this error:


Looking at the error long, I see pretty much the same thing as before, but with different PIDs:
2022-09-19 12:36:14, Error DISM DISM WIM Provider: PID=3056 Failed to mount the image. - CWimImageInfo::Mount(hr:0x8007007b)
2022-09-19 12:36:14, Error DISM DISM WIM Provider: PID=3056 d:\w7rtm\base\ntsetup\opktools\dism\providers\wimprovider\dll\wimmanager.cpp:999 - CWimManager::InternalOpMount(hr:0x8007007b)
2022-09-19 12:36:14, Error DISM DISM WIM Provider: PID=3056 d:\w7rtm\base\ntsetup\opktools\dism\providers\wimprovider\dll\wimmanager.cpp:2247 - CWimManager::InternalCmdMount(hr:0x8007007b)
2022-09-19 12:36:14, Error DISM DISM WIM Provider: PID=3056 Error executing command - CWimManager::InternalExecuteCmd(hr:0x8007007b)
2022-09-19 12:36:14, Error DISM DISM WIM Provider: PID=3056 d:\w7rtm\base\ntsetup\opktools\dism\providers\wimprovider\dll\wimmanager.cpp:516 - CWimManager::ExecuteCmdLine(hr:0x8007007b)

I don't see any sign of folder w7rtm on either D: or E:

Is there some sort of "miracle fix" for my predicament?

At this point I'm thinking I need to do a clean install of Windows 7, upgrade to Windows 10 & then reinstall all my applications.

What do you think?

If I am going down this path, though, I have a few more questions:
1. I have an external HDD that I can use to backup my PC. Is there any reason not to just copy all the folders on my PC to this HDD, so I can access them directly?

2. If I use Macrium to clone the disk, will I be able to access files individually? Or is restoring the cloned drive the only option available?

3. Here are the steps I am envisioning following, what do you think?:
a) Create Windows 7 installation media on DVD.
b) Back up my current hard drive, using either Copy & Paste or Macrium.
c) Format my hard drive.
d) Install Windows 7 from DVD
e) Upgrade to Windows 10
f) Spend 2 days (more like 3) installing all my apps & getting things configured the way I like it.

This is turning into a major ordeal, which I knew would happen, which is why I've waited soooo long to upgrade to Windows 10.

Best,

Sam

 

[SIW2]

If you have a backup image, you could try this to install dism onto your current system .

It might do the job. :ar: View attachment DISM-installer.exe

as always, first rt click it>select properties>unblock>apply>ok

 

[Confuselled]

If you have a backup image, you could try this to install dism onto your current system .

It might do the job. :ar: View attachment 422109

as always, first rt click it>select properties>unblock>apply>ok

SIW2- Ok, I created a backup image of my HD, unblocked the file, ran it and...Oh, noooooooo:


Is there a Win 7 version available?

Or, would running it in compatibility mode work? Something tells me that's NOT the correct path.

Best,

Sam

 

[SIW2]

At this point I'm thinking I need to do a clean install of Windows 7, upgrade to Windows 10 & then reinstall all my applications

If you are unable to do a https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?filter[2]=General Tips , then the above is the remaining solution.

 

[Mike Lynch]

Just a thought from a novice!

I had a "somewhat similar" experience over the past few days.
The solution for me was to:

Use the cloned version of W7P and try upgrading to W8.1 vs W8.0.

It worked immediately.
Why the upgrade attempts to W8.0 failed, I'll probably never know.
By using Mister Ed's advice, I'm now running W8.1 and so far, very happy.
Perhaps you might try cloning your existing System and then try an Upgrade.
You'd have your original intact and an experimental copy to work with.
I believe cloning causes all data on the target disk to be organized as if were defragged.
Could this help, I do not know by perhaps it could.

 

[Confuselled]

If you are unable to do a https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?filter[2]=General Tips , then the above is the remaining solution.

SIW2- I'm looking at performing a Repair Install.

Following the link in the instructions the Windows 7 ISO is no longer available to download.

I should have a Win 7 Pro disc here somewhere, I'll look for it some more tomorrow. If nothing else, I know someone who probably has a disc.

Do you know if there's a version of DISM-Installer for Win 7? I'd still like to give that a try.

Best,

Sam

 

[SIW2]

you had better backup the activation before attempting a repair install
SEE HERE

 

[file3456]

Win 7 to Win 10: Last Train to Format Station.

There are currently eleven Clarksville's in the U.S. Two in Texas if you count Clarksville City. Even though the song appears to indicate a man going on a possible way way trip to Vietnam via the nearby Air Force base in Clarksville, Tennessee, the lyrics mentioning the town name were apparently made because it sounded good.

Anyway, back to our scheduled broadcast.