Windows 7 boot problem

[holdum323]

Rich M is correct - - pull off your critical documents and pictures, get another HD or even better yet, Upgrade to an entirely new system.

Wow I can't compete with that, but you may still be able to get a free upgrade of W10. I can't guarantee that but give this a look.
https://www.howtogeek.com/265409/yo...-for-free-from-microsofts-accessibility-site/

 

[Rich M]

Holdum is correct and I believe you still can use the media Creator Tool Update to go to the newest version of Windows 10 using the coa from Windows 7 in December before that ends. Use "Download Tool Now" here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

[DavidBailey]

Wow I can't compete with that, but you may still be able to get a free upgrade of W10. I can't guarantee that but give this a look.
https://www.howtogeek.com/265409/yo...-for-free-from-microsofts-accessibility-site/

I gave it a look.
It worked for me.
I had 8.1 Pro so it installed 10 Pro for me.
It kept all my installed programs & files.
Earlier versions did not keep installed programs.
I have a system image of 8.1 Pro but I intend to keep 10 Pro.

The OP should consider upgrading before the offer ends, IMO.

 

[jullia]

Alt-F10 (holding Alt key down and pressing F10 key once) is used by Acer to do a system recovery, but I do not think that will work on your system.

The /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /MININT' thing is involved in editing boot options. I avoid such, but this article may give some insight:

 

[vomacka]

Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it.

Right now I am getting my important files off the drive. Then I am going to re-install windows. I've been messing with this for two weeks. Enough is enough.

I am going to treat my self and get a Samsung 850 EVO 1Tb ssd. Then install windows on that. This my first ssd. So I'm not sure what to expect. I will use my old drive a a backup.

Scott

 

[Rich M]

Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it.

Right now I am getting my important files off the drive. Then I am going to re-install windows. I've been messing with this for two weeks. Enough is enough.

I am going to treat my self and get a Samsung 850 EVO 1Tb ssd. Then install windows on that. This my first ssd. So I'm not sure what to expect. I will use my old drive a a backup.

Scott

What to expect is "pure pleasure". That is the biggest "speed bump" you can make!

 

[vomacka]

I am about ready to start the installation of Win 7 on the new SSD. I just have a question.

When should I do a Windows update?

Before installing my motherboard, video card, modem etc. drivers or after ?

Does the update have to see my hardware drivers?

Scott.

 

[holdum323]

Hi! WOW! I have no idea what your asking! Do you know what updates are?
https://www.lifewire.com/windows-updates-patch-tuesday-faq-2625777

 

[vomacka]

ANY windows update after SP1.

I just don't want Windows update to have a problem installing the update because I have not installed the motherboard, video card, modem Etc. drivers beforehand.

Scott

 

[Cycloid Torus]

Win 7 on the new SSD.

When should I do a Windows update?

Before installing my motherboard, video card, modem etc. drivers or after ?

Does the update have to see my hardware drivers?

Scott.

Last time I did a clean Win7 install (well over a year ago) I downloaded it fresh from Microsoft as an ISO which I burned to a disk. First it partitioned, then it formatted and then it chugged for a couple of hours as it configured and installed. I thought that was great. Then it started to 'update' - and it took most of a day - several boots.

No drivers were required to begin. It used generalized drivers and got everything running (I hear printers and scanners and webcam can be missed). Then I downloaded and installed drivers from motherboard maker and from video card maker and installed them. Do reboot as you install each as this seems to help sort things out.

I think you will find specific instructions in the motherboard manual and at Microsoft - I have found the installation program to be pretty straightforward so you may not need that.

So 2 days total. Windows 10 is faster.

 

[vomacka]

Thanks for the info.

Scott

 

[Rich M]

I would say after initial install and drivers next thing I used to do was Windows Updates.

 

[holdum323]

Here's a good read by HTG about updating drivers. https://www.howtogeek.com/98465/htg-explains-when-do-you-need-to-update-your-drivers/

 

[holdum323]

Hi @vomacka Here's what you can expect if you do a clean install of W7. Hope this helps.
Let us know how things go. This got deleted, not sure why. Maybe the way I posted my reply. I think it's a very good link and hopefully helps.
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-clean-install-windows-7-2624917

 

[Rich M]

That is basically a good tutorial for installing Windows 7 but I am puzzled here. Windows 7 goes out of support in 2020
or 2 years and you have 30 days left to install Windows 10 free so why now install Windows 7?

 

[holdum323]

That is basically a good tutorial for installing Windows 7 but I am puzzled here. Windows 7 goes out of support in 2020
or 2 years and you have 30 days left to install Windows 10 free so why now install Windows 7?

Hi Exactly! Why not install W10 while it's free? Then create a back up image of W10. If you don't like it, then install W7.
Makes sense to me!

 

[vomacka]

Thanks for the help guys.

I installed Win 7 successfully!! It only took a half-hour because of the SSD I guess. I am still configuring it right now. I will do the Windows update tomorrow.

Right now, I am more familiar/comfortable with using 7. I will probably get 10 later on but not right now.

Configuring Windows is an all day thing. I probable won't get to installing my personal software until tomorrow.

I'll let you know if I have any problems.

To be continued...

Scott

P.S.
I have that linked article. I printed it out and had it at the ready during installation.

 

[vomacka]

Oh, BTW...

I tried to copy some important game files off the old HDD. I got an error that said the files were damaged and could not be copied. Great...

I have removed the drive and will use a USB drive reader to check the drive for errors more thoroughly.

Scott

 

[DavidBailey]

Making this post involved a lot of time.
I would have used a Windows 7 iso but did not have a product key for it to download the 7 iso from Microsoft.
So, I used the Media Creation Tool to get an 8.1 Pro iso.
I downloaded it to a 64 GB usb3.0 flash drive.
If you don't already have it, install 7Zip.

See screenshot ---

After doing so the new OS will start to install.
This works because it is on a usb or external hard-drive & not on the computer.
See screenshot of the new OS starting to install after clicking setup.exe---

As far as I know this works with ANY iso file.

There is a hard way & an easy way to deal with iso files.
This is the Easy way.
I hope this helps someone. (y)

 

[holdum323]

Nice post! That should help TS members!(y)

 

[vomacka]

HALLELUJAH!

I finished getting my system up and running! Everything is running smoothly. The SSD does make boot/shut down faster by quite a lot.

I did not lose any major files. The only casualty was Microsoft Flight Simulator X. I was able to save some of it. The rest I will have to re-build. No bigee. Just takes time.

The first thing I did when I was finished was to do a complete virus/boot scan on the system. It only found one virus problem that was quickly deleted. It was part of a third party CD-burning program I used. It's gone now. Other than that, the system is clean.

I just have to do some minor adjustments to windows, but 99% of the work is finished.

One of the problems I am having is with the on-board Realtek HD Audio sound settings. I will start a new topic for that.

Scott