Windows 7 re-install limit

[gregrocker]

Yes Win7 firewall is fine as long as you keep it updated. More importantly it doesn't interfere or mess with performance as Commode does.

The ISO link is to the official Win7 Home Premium with SP1 64 bit download.

 

[GRB70]

Oh I had that.

 

[gregrocker]

Then why did you keep asking about unlocking all versions?

 

[GRB70]

I had no knowledge of any of this, until I received responses to my orginal post:

Windows 7 re-install limit
How do I know how many re-installs I can do with my Windows 7 x64 disk. I plan on purchasing an SSD drive. I know I have the option of moving the current install to the new drive, but have no clue how. Ideally I'd like to reformat and re-install, because, a lot of files where misplace.renamed as I was in the process of learning the new OS.

Any and all help is appreciated

thank you

which was before I knew there were no install limits. Your post,

Yes, retail and factory OEM are locked to first mobo installed but can be reinstalled as often as you want and using a Windows 7 retail installation DVD even if your OEM didn't give you one.

Here are tips for getting a perfect reinstall of factory OEM: Reinstalling Windows 7

led me to question that link and all questions following led us here. Suffice to say, now I'm lost with how to accomplish my original post, not including the re-install limitations.

thank you
http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/151566-reinstalling-windows-7-a.html#post1300819

 

[gregrocker]

What do you mean you are "lost?" What isn't clear?

 

[GRB70]

I'm lost on which procedure to follow? I'm aware I need to follow this

As the ASUS P8P67 has a uEFI BIOS.
How to install Windows 64 bit on a uEFI BIOS:
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with
uEFT BIOS setup:
ASUS Sabertooth P67 Motherboard EFI BIOS - YouTube

or am I following this http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/151566-reinstalling-windows-7-a.html#post1300819, or am I following both? In which case I would still need clarification from the above link:

-Follow the steps exactly to get a perfect clean reinstall, set it up and then save a Windows 7 backup image of the finished job so you never have to reinstall again - just reimage the HD from the stored image in 20 minutes.
-Am I correct in assuming you mean after this reinstall into the new SSD? How does imaging the HD make it so that I don't reinstall again?
-Do you have your program installers ready, and any Product keys for paid software that will need to be reactivated after retall?
-Yes, I have all that.

Reinstalling Windows 7
I read the procedure from the above link, and wasn't sure of these things:
- I gather from the first step is to make a folder, extract all files from Windows 7 DVD then run ei.cfg removal tool? Is that correct? Does it matter if I run it in the folder I made or not?
- I have backed up apps, files externally, will I still need to back up installed drivers from windows/system32/drivers?
- I'm good with all else.

 

[gregrocker]

You may need to use the procedures Theog linked to install to a UEFI BIOS, then follow the steps to get a perfect reinstall.

Yes, you'd want to image SSD after it's all set up and running as you like. You can save the backup image to the HD if you want, or externally.

There's no reason to run ei.cfg if you have the licensed version installer.

It's a good idea to back up the System32 drivers file so you can quickly browse to there for any drivers which are missing in Device Manager after install and optional Updates delivers the latest.

 

[GRB70]

Apparently I misunderstood something along this path. Why would 1 use the ei.cfg process?

I apologize for the confusion
ty

 

[AddRAM]

It would be used to make a Windows 7 DVD with all versions on it.

 

[GRB70]

gotcha!!!

ty

 

[AddRAM]

What everyone is trying to tell you is that you don`t have to download anything. You already have the Windows 7 Home Premium install DVD. You don`t have to make a repair disk, your HP dvd is a repair disk.

When you get your ssdrive.

1) Install your ssdrive
2) Remove your old drive
3) Install Windows 7 Home Premium from your DVD

That`s it your done.

 

[GRB70]

AHHAAHAHa that was the answer I was looking for to begin with. So you saying I don't need to follow

As the ASUS P8P67 has a uEFI BIOS.
How to install Windows 64 bit on a uEFI BIOS:
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with

or

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/151566-reinstalling-windows-7-a.html#post1300819

as suggested here

You may need to use the procedures Theog linked to install to a UEFI BIOS, then follow the steps to get a perfect reinstall.

Yes, you'd want to image SSD after it's all set up and running as you like. You can save the backup image to the HD if you want, or externally.

There's no reason to run ei.cfg if you have the licensed version installer.

It's a good idea to back up the System32 drivers file so you can quickly browse to there for any drivers which are missing in Device Manager after install and optional Updates delivers the latest.

 

[GRB70]

I posted this some time ago, obviously. I never did the procedure anyone suggested, because frankly I didn't get it. As a result of my sadness I've been using a PC that continuously gets errors, locks up, etc.. I have an SSD and 2 HHD drives, I screwed something up on the SSD (file wise) when I made the post. So I guess what I'm asking is what is the best way to format all 3, so any old data doesn't conflict with what I put on? I'm planning on putting Ubuntu on one of the HHDs, do I need to make any special preparations for that? I'm very sorry to bring this up again, I should of brought this up much sooner.

TYVM for any and all help

 

[gregrocker]

Follow these same steps to prepare for and do a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 which are the same for retail.

Unplug all other HD's except for the target Win7 HD, during the booted http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html use the drive options pictured in Steps 7/8 to delete all partitions (all data should be backed up first)., create New as you wish, then format and install to first partition.

Then you can plug back in the other HD's, but when you install any other OS, unplug them all except the target HD. Boot the choice of HD's using the BIOS boot order for Win7, or the one-time BIOS Boot menu key for another OS's HD. If you don't like this arrangement, install EasyBCD to WIn7 to add the other OS's, such as shown in http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/83923-where-install-ubuntu-my-system.html#post733626

 

[GRB70]

TY for the response. I'm disabled and very limited in getting in to a computer. Is that a big thing to have the NON-target drives unplugged, because if so I'll have to make arrangements. Also, are the instructions you posted going to be for an SSD, which is the target drive?

ty

 

[AddRAM]

Is the pc you want to setup working right now ?

Can you post us a shot of disk management ?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

 

[gregrocker]

If the Win7 target Hard Drive is in Disk0 position then you can install with the other HD's plugged in. Just be sure to choose the correct HD for install.

If not we'll need to help you avoid putting the boot manager on the wrong HD, so post back the screenshot of Disk Mgmt that Brian requested.

 

[GRB70]

Is this right?

 

[gregrocker]

It would be best to install Win7 to DISK0 pictured there, to avoid having he System Boot files derailed onto it if you instead install to C.

A simpler solution if you can't unplug all other HD's besides C is to swap the data cable between DISK0 and DISK2. This will put Win7 hard drive in DISK0 position with no worries about reinstalling it.

But if you can't do any of that then another option is to convert the G and F partitions to Logical which format will reject the System Boot files so they will be written to C. How to Wipe Partition with partition manager? Partition Wizard Wipe Partition Help Video

Otherwise if you install Win7 to C with the others plugged in, it will place the System boot files on the first Primary partition and Win7 will be booted from another HD which is not desirable.

Once again, remember to boot the Win7 installer, delete C (If you use that HD) and then create New partition from the whole disk, format, install Win7. Use the drive option pictured in Steps 7 and 8 of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html. If you install instead to Disk0, back up its data first and format the partition before install.

 

[GRB70]

I'm going to arrange for someone to assist in unplugging the drives. I'd rather have 7 on the SSD.

Thank you for all your help, I'll keep you posted with any other questions.

Thx again