Multiple Questions re: Win7's no-reformat, nondestructive reinstall

[StephenwjC]

hi fred:

no error messages occurred.

interesting idea- i could and will try it. i have a thought about your suggestion. since Expanding Win Files stopped installing at 22%. i guess it will work at that level. and it seems logical the next level Installing Features and updates would work too.

but what about Transferring Files, Settings and programs? i do not comprehend its logic to work.

[Rfarmer]

Fred's article about the no-reformat reinstall said that I would need the "standard Win7 installation DVD."

I bought a Dell laptop and Dell included a disk labelled "Operating System - Already installed on your computer - Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Professional 64-bit".

Is this what I need to follow Fred's procedure? Is there any way to tell for sure? And if it IS what I want, then can this DVD be copied?

Thanks !

[ruirib]

hi fred:

no error messages occurred.

interesting idea- i could and will try it. i have a thought about your suggestion. since Expanding Win Files stopped installing at 22%. i guess it will work at that level. and it seems logical the next level Installing Features and updates would work too.

but what about Transferring Files, Settings and programs? i do not comprehend its logic to work.

It's weird that it just stopped like that. You tried only once? I suppose you disable all security apps?

[ruirib]

Fred's article about the no-reformat reinstall said that I would need the "standard Win7 installation DVD."

I bought a Dell laptop and Dell included a disk labelled "Operating System - Already installed on your computer - Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Professional 64-bit".

Is this what I need to follow Fred's procedure? Is there any way to tell for sure? And if it IS what I want, then can this DVD be copied?

Thanks !

You will need to check whether that is the DVD or not. Insert it, check what it may have. If you have autoplay enabled, you may find that the windows step starts. Just don't proceed with the setup, but you can always check what it has.

[StephenwjC]

It's weird that it just stopped like that. You tried only once? I suppose you disable all security apps?i

i tried it 3 times all with the same dramatic ending.

i did not disable any sec apps. i have only bit defender operational. and malwarebites in reserve. i am reluncant to turn off bit defender since i am online downloading the updates etc. <sigh>

thanks again

[ruirib]

I would suggest you go offline and disable the security apps. They recommend that on the Windows 7 Repair Install Tutorial. If you feel like it, disable them after you go online but before accepting the licensing terms.

[StephenwjC]

hello everyone: as your suggestion, i did disable security apps. still cutoff at the 22% level.

i googled to http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...c-68b599b31bf5
it had several suggestions which i tried several and none worked.

i did try and follow Windows 7 Repair Install Tutorial http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...r-install.html which did not work- cutting off at 22% level with no error messages

later on i tried another search and one recommendation was to try sfc /scannow http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

this method confirmed there were some problems and it did repair some. but not all. i saved the logs. i have read the logs and i could not understand it. but anyway i tried. the logs show almost a complete repetition of the same things

example: 0x800f0805 or ...
2011-11-21 09:15:44, Info CBS Session: 30189656_250478866 initialized by client WindowsUpdateAgent.
2011-11-21 09:15:44, Info CBS Failed to internally open package. [HRESULT = 0x800f0805 - CBS_E_INVALID_PACKAGE]
2011-11-21 09:15:44, Info CBS Session: 30189656_250578866 initialized by client WindowsUpdateAgent.
2011-11-21 09:15:44, Info CBS Session: 30189656_250678866 initialized by client WindowsUpdateAgent.
2011-11-21 09:15:48, Info CBS Session: 30189656_282519449 initialized by client WindowsUpdateAgent.
2011-11-21 09:15:48, Info CBS Failed to internally open package. [HRESULT = 0x800f0805 - CBS_E_INVALID_PACKAGE]
2011-11-21 09:15:48, Info CBS Session: 30189656_282649456 initialized by client WindowsUpdateAgent.
2011-11-21 09:15:48, Info CBS Failed to internally open package. [HRESULT = 0x800f0805 - CBS_E_INVALID_PACKAGE]
2011-11-21 09:15:48, Info CBS Session: 30189656_285719610 initialized by client WindowsUpdateAgent.
2011-11-21 09:15:48, Info CBS Failed to internally open package. [HRESULT = 0x800f0805 - CBS_E_INVALID_PACKAGE]
2011-11-21 09:15:48, Info CBS Session: 30189656_286379647 initialized by client WindowsUpdateAgent.

any thoughts, ideas?

thanks

[ruirib]

I am definitely not a specialist on interpreting sfc logs. One possibility that came up as I read this was that something was wrong with the DVD contents, but it seems you used two different DVDs?

[StephenwjC]

I am definitely not a specialist on interpreting sfc logs. One possibility that came up as I read this was that something was wrong with the DVD contents, but it seems you used two different DVDs?

yes i did use two different dvd. one used both win 7 and for win 7 server.
the later was just a smaller version- for win 7 only

[ruirib]

See if there is any log created by the Windows setup that can provide useful information: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927521

[StephenwjC]

thanks ruirib. great suggestion.
i sent a report to Windows Support which included the problem and the cbs log. i await their reply.

[StephenwjC]

This email is the 3rd rejoinder from Microsoft. I have not done this yet and I have not decided if I will do following recommendation. It seems complicated but I think it will work. Also I am tired of this problem. Luckily I have very good backups as I have had to restore several times. Also it may involve two programs which I remain clueless as to using it correctly thus i have to restore it.

Anyway, I received this reply.
====
Microsoft wrote:

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for your effort in working on this issue.



At this time, I would like to explain that we can run In-Place Upgrade to resolve the issue directly. Since we do not have Windows disk to run it, I suggest we try to download Windows 7 installation ISO file to run In-Place Upgrade. Let's refer to the following steps:



NOTE: Before moving on, please locate your Product Key of the system first. If the message prompts us to reactive the system after running In Place Upgrade, please locate your Product Key of the system on the CD package or a sticker on your computer and type the Product Key to reactive the system.



First, I would like to explain that the In-place Upgrade is a tool to repair the system. Through the special upgrade process, we will be able to repair the system. The In-place Upgrade will not affect settings like photos, movies, documents, etc. that are saved on the computer. However, it is recommended to first backup your important information and files to other partitions or other disks.



Step 1: Download Windows 7 installation ISO

====================

1. Download Windows 7 installation ISO file:



http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/11/10/windows-7-iso-x86-and-x64-official-direct-download-links-ultimate-professional-and-home-premium/



Please Note: Since the website is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.



2. Please choose the correct version (Home, Professional or Ultimate) and type (32 or 64 bit) to download.



3. When "File Download" window appears, please click Save and choose Desktop as file location.



4. After downloading the file XXXXX.iso to Desktop. Please don't click or double click it. Please leave it alone. Now, let's refer to the following steps to install daemon tool:



http://www.disc-tools.com/download/daemon



Please Note: The third-party product discussed here is manufactured by a company that is independent of Microsoft. We make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.



5. Please click "Download" bottom "DAEMON Tools Lite description:" section.



6. Please Save "DTLite4413-0173.exe" to Desktop.

7. After downloading it, please double click DTLite4413-0173.exe to install it.

8. When choosing License Type, please choose Free License.

9. Click Next and click Install.





10. Please run DAEMON Tools Lite.

11. In DAEMON Tools Lite window, please click Add Image icon (The first icon). Then find the Windows 7 installation ISO file XXXXX.iso and click Open.



12. Please click Mount button (The third icon) on DAEMON Tools Lite.



Now, the Windows 7 installation ISO has been loaded on the virtual drive.



13. Please double click My Computer. A new drive should be created in "Devices with Removable Storage". Please double click on this new drive.



Now, let's refer to the following steps to run In-Place Upgrade:



First, I would like to explain that the In-place Upgrade is a tool to repair the system. Through the special upgrade process, we will be able to repair the system. The In-place Upgrade will not affect settings like photos, movies, documents, etc. that are saved on the computer. However, it is recommended to first backup your important information and files to other partitions or other disks.

Step 2: In-Place upgrade
============


1. Double click new drive. In new drive folder, please find setup.exe and double lick setup.exe.

2. When Windows 7 installation window appear, please click Install now.


3. Click Do not get latest updates for installation



4. When we are prompted to input the product key, please click Next without inputting any key. The setup wizard will prompt and ask if you want to enter product key now. Please choose to No.



5. When you reach the Which type of installation to you want? screen, click Upgrade to repair Windows 7.



Note 1: if the Upgrade is disabled, please do not click Custom(advanced).



Note 2: While performing the In-place Upgrade, the system will restart automatically (several times) to merge the files and programs.



-----------

For more detail information, you can refer the following link:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Please Note: Since the website is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

-----------



Please leave the computer alone and do not configure it until In-place Upgrade is completed. The system will start Windows 7 once it is upgraded.


The End

[ruirib]

Stephen,

How is this different from what you have been doing so far?

[StephenwjC]

good question ruirib, real good question.

i think the use of daemon tools is the main and only answer.

thanks --- you are making me think some more.

I just want to get this done.

[ruirib]

The daemon tools seems it's just an app that will avoid the need to burn the DVD to an actual disc. Other than that, the recommendations don't show any difference to what you likely tried before.
Anyway, I see no reason not to give it a go. At least you can reply to them if something similar to what happened before occurs again.