Repair Install

Brink · 19 May 2012

Hello Kevin,

Both should have a factory recovery/restore partition that you could use to reinstall Windows with back to factory conditions. If that was what you were wanting to do, then post back with brand and model numbers they are, and I'll see if I can find a link from the manufacturer on how to do the factory recovery on them.

It's possible that you could use those installation discs, but the installed OS would have to be the exact same. For example, you would need to install SP1 on your laptop first since the installation disc is for SP1. The installation disc would also have to be for 32-bit Windows 7 Ultimate. The only problem is that you may need to download and install some or all of your drivers unlike with a factory recovery above where they are included in the installation. I'd recommend to download the driver installation files from the laptop's manufacturer's website before doing attempting the installation in case you say need to install the network driver before having an internet connection afterwards.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

lkm020 · 19 May 2012

Hi Shawn,
Thanks for the quick reply.
It's the Repair install I am interested in (not the factory restore, or backup restore).
I knew about the W7 edition type and architecture having to match the installed version. It was just the Service pack I was unsure about, and now you have answered that. Thanks.
Is there an equivalent Vista forum covering Repair Installs ? I am guessing the Same service pack would also be required for Vista?
A bit of a pain having to install a service pack on a flakey installation before you can do a Repair install on it :-(

Regards
Kevin

Brink · 19 May 2012

You're welcome.

You could download a ISO without SP1 included to use instead to not have to install SP1.

Download Windows 7 ISO (Official 32-bit and 64-bit Direct Download Links) « My Digital Life

Yes, here's the link from our sister site Vista Forums.

Repair Install For Vista - Vista Forums

lkm020 · 19 May 2012

Hi Shawn,

THanks for the link to the Vista thread. Unfortunately its a seperate forum requiring a new registration. The validation link hasn't come through for some reason and I am just going out for the evening. So hopefully you don't mind if I post the question here:

In the notes you say " The Vista installation DVD that you use to do the repair (upgrade) install must be the same or newer version of Vista with the Windows Updates and SP level than what you currently have installed. If the DVD is a older version, then you cannot do a repair (upgrade) install with it."

This implies that I could Repair install an SP0 Vista installation using my SP2 Vista DVD right? If this is correct then why is the same SP version required with W7 ?
Thanks
Kevin

Brink · 19 May 2012

It's a bit different with Vista, but be sure to follow the notes under that for SP1 or SP2.

anon123 · 20 May 2012

i wish to repair install my win7-64bit. my laptop did not come with any CDs.
i'm very confused on the difference between step 4 and 5. please help. :]

Brink · 20 May 2012

Hello Anon, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you have SP1 installed, then you would want to use step 4 and it's note with a Digital River ISO. :)

Hope this helps,
Shawn

anon123 · 20 May 2012

thanks and i'm confused. do i need two usbs? there seems to be two different steps in that one step.
do i do Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life and USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create ? they are two different things.

Brink · 20 May 2012

Sorry for the confusion. You would download the ISO for the same edition of Windows 7 you have installed at the first link, then use the 2nd link to create either a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO file to use to install with. :)

anon123 · 20 May 2012

so do i use the first or second iso? do i put both isos on one usb?