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General discussion

Help me start over with a Windows 7 upgrade

May 14, 2010 8:09AM PDT
Question:

Help me start over with a Windows 7 upgrade


I installed the Windows 7 upgrade over the Vista software
that came with my computer using that option, rather than the
option of wiping the HD clean and the reinstalling all other
software after Win 7 was installed. Big mistake!

My experience with Windows 7 has been awful. I'll bet I've
had as many as 20 blue screens while using Win 7, and
probably as many freeze-ups. Even Norton's Utilities advises
me that my "System health is low" and scan the registry
(which I've done many times!)

How can I wipe this hard drive clean and then install my
Windows 7 upgrade now? Will Microsoft allow me a second try
using the Win 7 upgrade that I've bought and used once
already? Thanks for any advice.

--Submitted by Richard K. of Medford, Oregon


Here are some featured member answers to get you started, but
please read all the advice and suggestions that our
members have contributed to this question.

Starting over... --Submitted by Watzman
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-19411_102-0.html?messageID=3304493#3304493

Starting over... --Submitted by Wolfie2k5
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-19411_102-0.html?messageID=3305439#3305439

Yes you can. Here's how to clean-install Windows 7 upgrade. --Submitted by NoriNY
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-19411_102-0.html?messageID=3304936#3304936

Your answer is----YES! --Submitted by warpete
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-19411_102-0.html?messageID=3304569#3304569

Thanks to all who contributed!

If you have any additional advice or tip that you'd like share with Richard please click on the reply link and submit it. Please be as detailed as possbile when providing a solution. Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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re-install Win 7
May 14, 2010 10:57AM PDT

You should be able to do a clean install of "7" and not worry about the microsoft police. Put the upgrade disk in the computer, and you will be asked how you want to proceed...overwrite, clean install etc. Obviously, back up your files and settings first, as you will lose those. Choose the clean install, and follow the guided steps from there. The fact that a qualified version of windows is present will allow you to proceed without challenge, so long as you have not made major changes (4) to the hardware "tagging" your computer...hard drives, memory, processor etc.
Too bad you have had so many problems with Win 7. I have done clean installs on 2 home computers, and it has been a breath of fresh air. Good luck!

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reinstall windows 7
May 23, 2010 7:38AM PDT

I have acer laptop which Acer sent upgrade of windows 7 when was avaible. I INSTALLED CLEAN UPGRADE OF WINDOWS 7 OVER MY VISTA AND WORKED FINE.My question is I also have a desktop Acer also with vista on it,can i use the same disk for windows 7 on it also or are you only allowed one install per computer.the desktop has what it needs to run windows 7. Windows 7 upgrade kit,says Win Vista HMPM-Win 7 HmPm UPG Fulfill Acer Group. it does have product key which i believe i used on laptop. Ididn't want to try it and lose what i have working on laptop but reading your forum was thinking about trying.???? any help greatly appreciated.

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win 7 install
May 14, 2010 11:26AM PDT

I have just completed 14 laptops and 2 desktop conversions all the laptops I had to do a custom install which cleans the drive and fresh installs the win 7 operating system.
As for the desktop computers one was XP and the Other Vista and both worked well with an upgrade but it was well worth running ?windows7 upgrade adviser? before installing win 7 it helped me sort out what was wanted and what i could upgrade. In one case with vista upgrade to win 7 it stopped the win 7 upgrade till I had upgraded the video card driver. Have Fun.

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Solution
May 14, 2010 11:46AM PDT

In my experience as an IT pro,and just as a home user, you never want to layer operating systems such as doing an "upgrade". It's always best to do a clean install,and above all else avoid anything Nortons like madcow disease.

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Win 7 Upgrade
May 14, 2010 11:48AM PDT

I have done many upgrades with various versions of Windows over the years and at first I often had the same results until someone turned me on to a better way to do it. If you are using the "Upgrade' for Win7 then yo will have to reinstall Vista first and then upgrade. Do the reinstall of Vista first and then create a file on your desktop with any name on it and then insert your Win7 disc. When it starts to boot kill it and copy it into the file you created. Remove the disc and open the file and execute the upgrade from there. Sit back and enjoy the show. I have rarely had a problem with windows upgrades done this way.
Moon)Dawg
P.S. Hats off to Doug

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win 7 upgrade
May 14, 2010 12:22PM PDT

One problem you have is there are two versions of win 7. there is the upgrade version and the clean install version. In order to wipe the drive clean and start over as far as i know is you would have to get the clean install version of 7. the update version basically makes changes to vista to make it win 7. the clean install version is quite a bit more than the upgrade version. If you have a vista install disk you could reformat to vista then try your upgrade version again. also one other thing to try is to go into your device manager and update your drivers. just right click on the items and then do upgrade drivers in properties. you may have some driver issues. thats the best that i can tell you based on my computer knowledge but hope it helps.

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Your answer is----YES!
May 14, 2010 12:23PM PDT

First (and very important) while you are still up and running, download and run the Microsoft Windows 7 upgrade advisor (just Google for that). You may not like what it says, but believe what it says! You may have incompatible hardware or software and it is best to know these things ahead of time. Now---you must have an existing OS in order to install an upgrade----right? There is a work around. Starting with Vista, there is a method of installing an "Upgrade" copy of Windows without having a previous OS installed (or even a OS disk handy for verification). To put it simply, you install Windows 7 over Windows 7! This method has been highly circulated over the Internet and Microsoft IS aware of it. In my opinion, if Microsoft didn't approve, they would issue a patch or a harsh statement condeming the process, but they have not done either. Step ONE: boot from the OS CD (do NOT install from within Windows). The install will start and progress until you see the screen for an "upgrade" install or a "new" install. You will choose a "new" install and let it continue until setup asks for the OS "KEY". Do NOT enter the key and do NOT allow the install to connect to the Internet. "JUST SAY NO"! The Install will complete. Next, and from within the OS, you will INSTALL WINDOWS 7!! That's correct, insert the OS CD and when the window appears select "install". This time, you will choose "Upgrade" and you will insert the OS "KEY" when asked and also allow setup to check for updates. When finished you have a fully functional Windows 7 OS. I realize that there are moral, ethical and even legal questions about this process, but when I was on a cruise recently, something onboard completely trashed my Windows OS and I was forced to reinstall from the only disk I had with me. It was a Windows 7 Professional upgrade disk. Without this method I would have been dead in the water (and on a cruise ship)! You obviously purchased Vista, but had a failed Windows 7 upgrade, so I don't see any problem in doing it this way. Be kind to yourself, though----run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor NOW, while you still can. Good luck and have fun!

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Am I right?
May 21, 2010 9:39AM PDT

WARPETE: Do you mean I can buy an UPGRADE (say of Win 7 Pro) and follow your procedure, install a FULL version using ONLY the UPGRADE DVD?

I use VMWare 3.0.1 on a Fast iMac w/ 4GB. I guess I first have to know how to boot directly from an install DVD. Not sure I can..

Anyhow, For those like me with NO predecessor to upgrade TO, I'll have to buy the full version.

Would be nice to just pay for the Upgrade , though.

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That is correct!
May 22, 2010 1:57AM PDT

That is correct. I have done this many times for Clients. In your case you DID purchase a Windows Operating System so you are entitled an upgrade anyway. The big objections come from those who do not understand that this process is NOT stealing. Let's say that you have been a MAC user all your life and have never purchased a Windows OS. This process will still work (a full install from an upgrade disk), but this would be where the ethical, moral and legal issues would arise. As for some of my Clients, they purchased a Computer from a Retail outlet with Windows Premium already installed, and then purchased a windows 7 Professional upgrade---which I installed. Their Hard Drive dies. They have already purchased a Windows OS that the PC Maker supplied + an upgrade. Does this mean that they now have to purchase a FULL version to install on their new Hard Drive? They have nothing to show Microsoft that they are entitled an upgrade---it's on the Hard Drive that went bad. I used the upgrade disk that they purchased to do a full install. They are all up and running with no issues and all Systems are fully activated by Microsoft. YES, you can install a FULL version using ONLY the UPGRADE DVD.

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First time upgrade/ second clean install
May 22, 2010 10:04AM PDT

I originally did a vista to Win 7 upgrade. Had to reinstall a few months later so I did a full clean install with the same disc. It is registered and legal. Used original key.

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More for WARPETE
May 21, 2010 9:43AM PDT

Forgot to mention: I HAD WIN 7 Ultimate RC under VMWare for several months... That expired Mar 1 2010..

I liked what it did... I moved ALL my W2K apps over with NO Problems...

So, I AM going to Win 7 (probably Pro) ... just trying to minimize the cost...

Jim B

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Windows 7 upgrade...
May 14, 2010 12:27PM PDT

The simplest way to get a clean install is to back up all of your data; run a recovery of the Vista operating system then install Windows 7. While installing Windows 7 it will verify that you have Windows Vista and you will be able to select to do a clean install which will reformat the hard drive, very quick under Windows 7, and install Windows 7 without issues from Windows Vista. This is a lengthy process but will keep the Vista issues out of the picture. I've given you a simple overview of the process. There are many steps to this but this will work and you will enjoy your Windows 7 experience after this.

Good luck.

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Windows 7 upgrade
May 14, 2010 12:30PM PDT

Since you bought an upgrade you must have a licensed copy of another windows os to use the upgrade you bought. You cannot completely wipe your hard drive and install an upgrade. You must buy a full Windows 7 version to do this. But you can do a clean install that will not piggyback your Windows Vista. Hope this helps.

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Doing a clean install with an upgrade copy.
May 14, 2010 12:37PM PDT

You can actually perform a clean install, wiping out the hard drive with an upgrade copy of your 7. You need to boot from the disc and do a custom install. In the "where do you want to install Windows" screen click on the drive options advance at the bottom right and delete and or format all partitions making sure that you are installing a fresh copy and will remove viruses or corrupted files. You can create a new partition afterwards. Just follow the prompt and the installation will complete some stages from copying files to completing installation. Now, when you get to the part asking you for the product key just leave it blank. You are going to do a keyless install first. If you type it in during the installation you are just going to get an invalid product key error message. Which a lot do ot understand thinking Microsoft screw them up. Remeber your copy is an upgrade and the key is also an upgrade. The key and the installation performed which is a custom/clean install are a mismatch giving you that error. After completing the installation here is what you can do to activate your copy. First if you have an internet connection call Microsoft 1-800-936-5700. Ask to be connected to set up department. Now the technician will provide you a passkey wherein you can download a one time fix to reset the activation settings. After applying the fix you should be able to activate it online using the smae key. If you get an error proceed to activate using automated phone system. Second if you dont want to call Microsoft, you can do an in place upgrade. Once the clean install is complete run the disc again within Windwos 7 environment and select the upgrade install. When you get to the screen asking for the key type it in and there should be no issues because the key is an upgrade and you are now doing an upgrade install. Proceed to activation online or phone activation.

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Re-installs unlimited if on same machine.
May 14, 2010 12:46PM PDT

As long as windows activation sees the same computer for reinstall, it will activate after install no problem. Just save all of your programs to reinstall- if you are missing anything, I suggest using free stuff available at ninite.com. If you need to add anything that you do not have disc for once your internet is up, save time and money, as this will install all at one shot after simply choosing from menu on that website!

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You May Be Hosed Unfortunately
May 14, 2010 1:03PM PDT

If you have a Vista to Win 7 Upgrade disc, I doubt that you can get by with only wiping your hard drive. The upgrade is going to look for Vista before it will run I'm sure. If you have your Vista installation disc, then I would suggest wiping your hard drive, do a bear bones bones installation of Vista - definately leaving out Norton - and then do the Win 7 Upgrade. As long as you are going back to the same machine, Mr. Gates will be happy. If you don't have the discs, you'll have to get better help than I since I wouldn't have anything to do with Vista when it came out and don't know a thing about it. If you are unsure about how to wipe your hard drive, check the web or your Norton disc may have the disc formatting commands on it.

BTW, I went from XP to Win 7 and haven't looked back; it's great!

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upgrade can do full
May 22, 2010 10:37AM PDT

I bought the upgrade vista to Win7 when 7 first came out. First did vista to 7 upgrade. It was fine, but had to do reinstall later. The disc has option for full clean install, so I did that. Used original key. No problem.

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If you really want a clean hard drive.....
May 14, 2010 1:44PM PDT

I didn't take the time to read every single entry and neither will you. If you find this useful, please use this info in conjunction with the excellent info found in some of the other posts. You are truly in good company.

I just recently upgraded a 4 yr. old Hp laptop from a dual boot of XP/SP3 and Ubuntu 10.04 beta to a full version of Win7 32-bit Home Premium edition only. Before I made the attempt, I used Kill Disk to completely wipe the HDD clean before starting. It only took an hour and rendered the disk like a never used drive. The Win7 installation went as smooth as butter. I doubt the outcome would have been the same without using Kill Disk. Even if you end up having to put a fresh install of Vista on your machine, use Kill Disk beforehand anyway. You're less likely to have residual crap on your HDD when you upgrade to Win7.

Here's to a successful installation. Cheers.

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Windows 7 Upgrade
May 14, 2010 1:58PM PDT

Well Richard you are going to have two problems: First, "wiping the drive clean" will destroy all of your data that you have accumulated. Not only will you lose your documents, photos, music, etc. but also your program files. The second issue is that you purchased an "upgrade" version of Windows 7, which means you must install it as an "upgrade" of a current Windows OS, such as Vista.
Personally the first thing I would do would be to uninstall Norton. In my experience Norton fouls up more systems than it protects. I suspect you had Norton running when you did the Windows 7 upgrade. Is that correct?
After uninstalling Norton, and be sure to use their uninstall tools as Norton is omnipresent and it's not a simple uninstall. Next I suggest you set a start point and then load the Windows 7 disc, doing a boot from the CD/DVD. You will have to go into your BIOS settings to set the boot order. Then after Windows finishes loading files select "Custom Installation". You will then be asked if you want to install Windows 7 or repair it. This can be found in the lower LH area of the setup screen. 7 will then give you several options to repair. I would begin with the startup option and work your way down until you reach the Windows prompt option. That is more than likely as far as you should venture.
Don't be afraid to attempt the repair several times. It will take a lot less time than reinstalling all of your software.
If Windows fails to repair itself then you may still have options. I would go to "System Restore" and see if you can be successful restoring your system to a point BEFORE you installed Windows 7. If that is successful then you have saved all of your files and programs and you are in a position to install the Windows 7 upgrade again.
If this fails then you will have to format your HDD, reinstall Vista and install Windows 7. Of course now you will have to install all of the programs you want to continue to run.
Backup everything on an external drive, CD or DVD before you start any procedures and set your System Restore points. Good luck!

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might have to remove programs first
May 22, 2010 10:42AM PDT

I did a Vista to Win 7 upgrade. The install will check for compatibility. Will prompt you to remove certain programs before install. iTunes is especially one program to uninstall before upgrade.

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reply to win7 upgrade
May 14, 2010 2:36PM PDT

you must remember when installing new OS, it is always better to do a "clean install". just back up all your important files and wipe your hard drive clean....

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Windows 7
May 14, 2010 4:16PM PDT

You can always make a clean installation, because Win7 remembers the installation of Vista. Just like when make you a clean installation under XP. No problem just do it.

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Reinstalling Windows 7 upgrade
May 14, 2010 4:52PM PDT

Hey. Not entirely sure if it is legal or not, but you did buy the upgrade honestly. Anyway, a friend of mine has, on a couple of occasions, installed his Copy of Windows 7 home premium (as a Clean Install) then, after that completed, re-installed Windows 7 Home premium again (as an Upgrade). This "tricks" the copy of the OS into thinking it was a usual upgrade, and allows you to reuse the upgrade.

Alternatively, you could do what I did, and reinstall The Vista copy, then install Windows 7 again.

Hope this helps Grin

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upgrade no, clean install yes..........
May 14, 2010 5:11PM PDT

most people don't read the advise which the experts are given, they say all what we try to say to you.

so first of all, are you using a desktop ar a laptop?
in both cases separate the data you have saved over the years
then put it on a separate harddisk or usb external harddisk
so when you have a crash then you have only to restore your system

second when have done this have a clean install wiping you systemdisk (c:/) totally clean, then have a new brand install of your w7...

third after install you will notice theat w7 deals with libraries where it put your data in, use this only for temporay storage, after a while move it where you have your old data have located so when you have a crash you can restore your system and have not to worry about your data

fourth last advise make a backup of your system and reserved system only, not your data, to avoid a bug in w7 (not fixed yet) as soon as possible

that's it, have fun, don't anger

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Easy way...
May 14, 2010 5:21PM PDT

The easy way to do it is to just boot from the Windows 7 installation CD (32-bit or 64-bit, according to which OS you want), and follow the instructions for a new installation (not an upgrade). That installation will save your current stuff in "windows.old", which you can delete after the installation using "Disk Cleanup" (cleanup system files option).

To boot from a CD or DVD, you may need to go into your BIOS and change the boot order to boot from CD first.

It really is an easy installation, just remember that the for the first reboot you're offered during the installation, don't choose "boot from CD" again, or you'll be back where you started *smile*. I've done this installation several times, and it has ended well each time.

If you have a reasonably fast computer, the installation won't take you long, but getting all your additional software re-installed (including video card driver, antivirus, browsers, and so on) can take some time.

-Roger

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Windows 7
May 14, 2010 5:39PM PDT

Hi Richard (from Oregon). To start with, as long as it is on the same pc, you can run and install your original Win 7 multiple times.

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Starting over is not so complicated
May 14, 2010 5:59PM PDT

First i would uninstall norton utilities. Then reformate your harddrive, so its a clean slate. Go back to Microsoft and reinstall your upgrade Windows 7. Any Antivirus programs must be removed prior to installing a new Operating system. After you have installed your new Operating system then if you still like rienstall the Norton programs you feel you need. Nortons programs take up memory and in my opinion they take alot of memory. Good luck

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Is there a point to uninstalling Norton first?
May 16, 2010 6:52AM PDT

Er.. If you're reformatting your hard drive, does it matter if you nuke Norton Utilities??? Formatting would make Norton go away as well as everything else on the hard drive. No?

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Windows 7 and upgrading.
May 14, 2010 6:06PM PDT

So you're upgrading to Windows 7? Well it's far superior to Vista (in my opinion!) As long as you have your Vista (or XP) disk just put the Windows 7 disk in(and set the BIOS to boot from the optical drive) and when you boot you should start to run setup, windows will at some stage ask you to put your original Vista (or XP) disk in to verify that it is an upgrade, and then replace the Vista disk with your new Win7 disk to carry on as a full install.
Don't forget to back up everything you want to keep as it will wipe your hard drive!

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Vista upgrade To Windows 7
May 14, 2010 6:47PM PDT

Hi. I found the same problem,and did a clean install,bought new hard Drive,this saves all your data,and have had no problems. We did this on Three PCs,all working well.From switching on to pass word 40 seconds only.
Good luck.Paul Kench