Solved Win7 OS physical disk for repair?

[markg2]

I cannot believe that I'm the only person that runs into this problem. So here I am asking the community.

I've run into problems with the machine that are clearly related to corrupted chunks of the OS. Restore points do not go back far enough. Only an image from very long ago would likely resolve the problems. However, restoring that older image requires hours and hours updating and reinstalling software.

The solution would be to use the OS's own repair ability but that requires the original OS physical disk--something that USED to be always provided by computer manufacturers and now, at least with Lenovo, is impossible to even purchase at an extra charge with the machine.

If the installation files (not an image) were maintained on the machine for some utility to use to selectively repair corrupted OS files similar to using the physical disk that would be great but, again according to Lenovo, same is not available.

Has anyone found a solution to this problem?

Mark

 

[derekimo]

You can download an ISO and create a disc or bootable flash drive,

The official Microsoft install media is available here,

Windows 7 Direct Download Links

 

[markg2]

But when you 'insert' and start-up the media will not the desktop OS ask you to insert your OS key?

My base OS on this machine is Vista that I later upgraded to Win7 32 that I later updated to 64.

Mark

 

[derekimo]

Don't you have the key?

That is what you paid for, sounds like it was a retail key if you used an upgrade.

This tutorial may help with that,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/153626-product-key-number-windows-7-find-see.html

 

[markg2]

3 part reply question--

1. I clicked your link:

"You can download an ISO and create a disc or bootable flash drive,

The official Microsoft install media is available here,

Windows 7 Direct Download Links"
​

and repeatedly received the following: "Firefox can't find the server at www.heidoc.net"

I then used the following link: Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO Image Downloads | Windows 7 Forums

and successfully downloaded the file, burned the ISO file and started up the DVD.

2. The DVD did NOT offer the chance to 'repair' my existing OS files. The only 2 options were to do either a clean install or an in place install. If you all regard the in place install synonymous with a repair, ok. If not, then where, which and what?

3. I let the DVD go ahead with the in place install so as to test my system. The install wants iTunes uninstalled. I really, really do not want to do that since it requires reloading all the local music library links which is a huge PITA. The install DVD didn't ask if I want to go forward, it just kicked me back to the initial screen. Is there any way around not having to uninstall iTunes?

Mark

 

[whs]

Did you follow this procedure => http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

 

[markg2]

I hadn't, now I did and the repair process was not nearly as extensive regarding all OS files as I had thought.

I'll figure out a way to restore the correct iTunes directory so that I can uninstall same and run an in place Win7 install replacing all OS files to correct the several problems.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[whs]

Startup/repair can only repair files from the level of the disk you use. Any later installed programs or updates it does not know.

I know nothing about iTunes. But can't you save the iTunes directory somehow and reuse it later.

 

[markg2]

I'm relatively certain that I can--just a matter of determining all the locations where the relevant information is stored. I'm at work at that task now.

Thanks--

Mark

 

[Slartybart]

heidoc has been down - at least part of yesterday

edit: what bit depth is your windows 32 or 64 bit

 

[markg2]

64 bit

 

[Slartybart]

sorry, should have asked product version (home, pro, ult...)

maybe hiedoc is back up - I have the link to the offical 64 home prem link in another thread.

If your machine is anything other, you'lll have to wait for heidoc or someone else might have the digital river link you need.

 

[Slartybart]

Heidoc is up and running now. You can download whatever iso meets your license.

Windows 7 Direct Download Links

 

[markg2]

Retrospective

First off--thanks to all the folks that helped with this thing. With the info thread links I had all the information I needed to get the job done.

My concept of repair was incorrect and more general. I had thought that the repair process would methodically go through all the system files and links matching up to the DVD and correct what ailed. Since that was not so, I proceeded with the in place install--Jelly Bean=big help

Whether by design or sun spots, when I ran the install the second time and the two items were listed as incompatible and I said continue...this time I wasn't bounced back out but allowed to proceed which I did.

As it turned out, iTunes had no problem on restart and the second item was a driver whose hardware had long since departed.

I am immensely pleased with the result. All system shortcuts are now working, file explorer is not going out to lunch, the machine is decidedly quicker and I'm sure I'll be reminded of other system problems that are no longer as time goes on.

Thanks again,

Mark

 

[Slartybart]

Glad you got there,

Bill