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Main Forum => Tweaking.com Support & Help => Topic started by: qaz on July 28, 2016, 01:45:44 am

Title: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 28, 2016, 01:45:44 am
hi

using latest all in one repair tool on win 7. [in safe mode] It took all night applying fixes and in morning i had to power off the pc with it still running

i restarted win7 and for a couple of mins after everything loaded  it froze with the "working" symbol showing then everything was as normal

can anyone tell me what happened and if any fixes were actually applied and if so which ones. I cant recall the specific problem i wanted to fix as there were many, main problem was administrator permissions, no amount of forum help has been able to fix it. Also programs appear/disappear from task bar, sometimes start with windows/sometimes not

i still cant check win updates as there are controlled by system admin, so that did not get fixed
thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 28, 2016, 02:47:22 am
Can you run command prompt as an admin by going Start - type cmd - right click on cmd and select Run as administrator - accept the UAC and enter chkdsk /f

You will be prompted to type and enter y for it to run at the next restart.

Enter shutdown /r /t 00 to effect an immediate reboot and let it do its thing.

It won't take long to run and you will be able to see if it reports it has fixed any corruption and look to see if it reports any KBs in bad sectors.

If you don't get to read it all, go Start - type eventvwr and press enter.

When Event Viewer has read the data, expand Windows Logs - click on the name Application - Action - Find and in the Find box type chkdsk or wininit and press enter.

Cancel the Find box and read the report in the scrollable window.

However, if it reports no KBs in bad sectors and your system is really screwed up then I would consider a factory reset after backing up your personal stuff to external media.

Windows Repair can't fix everything.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 28, 2016, 03:02:12 am
hi

the fix all repair program is running again, can i cancel that in order to effect ur instruction

thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 28, 2016, 03:04:38 am
Let it run to see it performs any better, but usually when WR takes a long time, it can be because of bad sectors on the HDD.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 28, 2016, 03:37:53 am
ah thats interesting as the hd scan showed errors i didn't understand even after fixing some on first run. I didn't specify bad sector check....but will soon as current program finishes

would u be able to tell me how i can tell if any fixes were actually applied and if so which ones [so i will be able to see in future]

thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 28, 2016, 03:49:48 am
The chkdsk /f doesn't move anything from the bad areas but will report any bad sectors it finds.

A chkdsk /r will though but data can be lost, so if any bad sectors are found in the chkdsk /f then you should back up immediately, both with a full system image and with your personal stuff separate - you will also need to create a system repair disk as you will have to boot up with that to put your image onto a new HDD.

If you are using an OEM machine, then it may be too late to create the Recovery Disks which will be a copy of the Recovery Partition, unless you have already created them and then you would be able to factory reset the machine with those and then put your own stuff back on.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 28, 2016, 05:03:55 am
thanks for clearing up the /r and /f options. Will post results here soon as poss
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 29, 2016, 04:13:11 am
hi

i did that and there are no bad sectors but it says to do chkdsk/r. So thats done now but and having trouble at the log viewer finding the report.

as i couldnt find the log i ran chkdsk again but in non repair mode, heres the log. Would be much appreciated if u could interpret any important parts

thanks

Log Name:      Application
Source:        Chkdsk
Date:          27/07/2016 11:17:54
Event ID:      26213
Task Category: None
Level:         Information
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      river
Description:
Chkdsk was executed in read-only mode.  A volume snapshot was not used. Extra errors and warnings may be reported as the volume may have changed during the chkdsk run. 

Checking file system on G:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
The volume is in use by another process. Chkdsk
might report errors when no corruption is present.
Volume label is New Volume.

WARNING!  F parameter not specified.
Running CHKDSK in read-only mode.

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 3)...
  238848 file records processed.                                         

File verification completed.
  1049 large file records processed.                                   

  0 bad file records processed.                                     

  2 EA records processed.                                           

  60 reparse records processed.                                     

CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 3)...
Unable to locate the file name attribute of index entry reg_cfg.da0
of index $I30 with parent 0x24c9c in file 0x2065.

Index entry reg_cfg.da0 in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
Index entry reg_cfg.dat of index $I30 in file 0x24c9c points to unused file 0x20ab.
Index entry reg_cfg.dat in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
Unable to locate the file name attribute of index entry reg_cis.da0
of index $I30 with parent 0x24c9c in file 0x1a8.
Index entry reg_cis.da0 in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
The file reference 0xf40000000011c8 of index entry reg_cis.dat of index $I30
with parent 0x24c9c is not the same as 0xd70000000011c8.
Index entry reg_cis.dat in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
Unable to locate the file name attribute of index entry reg_mod.da0
of index $I30 with parent 0x24c9c in file 0x2067.
Index entry reg_mod.da0 in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
Index entry reg_mod.dat of index $I30 in file 0x24c9c points to unused file 0x20a5.
Index entry reg_mod.dat in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
  306370 index entries processed.                                       

Index verification completed.

Errors found.  CHKDSK cannot continue in read-only mode.

Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Chkdsk" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="0">26213</EventID>
    <Level>4</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2016-07-27T10:17:54.000000000Z" />
    <EventRecordID>28103</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>Application</Channel>
    <Computer>river</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>

Checking file system on G:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
The volume is in use by another process. Chkdsk
might report errors when no corruption is present.
Volume label is New Volume.

WARNING!  F parameter not specified.
Running CHKDSK in read-only mode.

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 3)...
  238848 file records processed.                                         

File verification completed.
  1049 large file records processed.                                   

  0 bad file records processed.                                     

  2 EA records processed.                                           

  60 reparse records processed.                                     

CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 3)...
Unable to locate the file name attribute of index entry reg_cfg.da0
of index $I30 with parent 0x24c9c in file 0x2065.

Index entry reg_cfg.da0 in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
Index entry reg_cfg.dat of index $I30 in file 0x24c9c points to unused file 0x20ab.
Index entry reg_cfg.dat in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
Unable to locate the file name attribute of index entry reg_cis.da0
of index $I30 with parent 0x24c9c in file 0x1a8.
Index entry reg_cis.da0 in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
The file reference 0xf40000000011c8 of index entry reg_cis.dat of index $I30
with parent 0x24c9c is not the same as 0xd70000000011c8.
Index entry reg_cis.dat in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
Unable to locate the file name attribute of index entry reg_mod.da0
of index $I30 with parent 0x24c9c in file 0x2067.
Index entry reg_mod.da0 in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
Index entry reg_mod.dat of index $I30 in file 0x24c9c points to unused file 0x20a5.
Index entry reg_mod.dat in index $I30 of file 150684 is incorrect.
  306370 index entries processed.                                       

Index verification completed.

Errors found.  CHKDSK cannot continue in read-only mode.
</Data>
    <Binary>00A50300EE2F03009ECF050000000000BB0300003C0000000000000000000000</Binary>
  </EventData>
</Event>
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 29, 2016, 05:25:52 am
That doesn't look too healthy if you've run that after a chkdsk /r

Are you sure it told you to run with the /r switch or was it with the /f switch ?

Go back into Event Viewer/Windows Logs/Application and scroll down until you see entries for wininit

Your latest in read-only mode will be the first one you see, but check lower down for one with the time stamp for when you ran the chkdsk /r

You'll know when you run a chkdsk /r because there are 5 stages as opposed to just the 3 when you use /f

Depending upon what the wininit log says, you could be looking at a factory reset or repair install.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 29, 2016, 06:01:16 am
hi

i find the log viewer to difficult,  i may will run chkdsk/r again tonight , but PLS can u tell how to see the results as a could not find then last time


am trying again to find the entry. what window should i be looking in for winit, is it the one with "level" colum on left , and almost 30,000 entry's and mostly named "information" . am i in  the right place?

thanks again
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 29, 2016, 08:28:54 am
When you go into Event Viewer, ensure that Event Viewer (Local) at the top of the left pane is highlighted then wait for it to read the data.

Use the arrow next to Windows Logs in the left pane to expand that section then click on Application.

They are listed as Information so it sounds like you are in the right place where you should see an entry for wininit or it may be listed as Chkdsk.

Click on it and the report will appear in the scrollable window below.

Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 29, 2016, 03:41:56 pm
hi

thanks for the above

first i deleted all logs then ran chkdsk /r but it only took a short time to complete. This s what i got, would be very interested to know what u think as it has done no repairs and found no errors, i dont understand why this is as it was bad before, any ideas?

one problem i have is with the letter assigned to the system [only] hd, it cant be changed to "c" . Somewhere i screwed it up it seems
thanks :

Log Name:      Application
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Wininit
Date:          29/07/2016 23:06:11
Event ID:      1001
Task Category: None
Level:         Information
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      river
Description:


Checking file system on G:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Volume label is New Volume.

A disk check has been scheduled.
Windows will now check the disk.                         

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)...
  238848 file records processed.                                         

File verification completed.
  705 large file records processed.                                   

  0 bad file records processed.                                     

  2 EA records processed.                                           

  60 reparse records processed.                                     

CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)...
  306112 index entries processed.                                       

Index verification completed.
  0 unindexed files scanned.                                       

  0 unindexed files recovered.                                     

CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)...
  238848 file SDs/SIDs processed.                                       

Cleaning up 72 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 72 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 72 unused security descriptors.
Security descriptor verification completed.
  33633 data files processed.                                           

CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal...
  34069336 USN bytes processed.                                           

Usn Journal verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)...
  238832 files processed.                                               

File data verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)...
  6944176 free clusters processed.                                       

Free space verification is complete.
Windows has checked the file system and found no problems.

 128024572 KB total disk space.
  99800044 KB in 175743 files.
    104432 KB in 33634 indexes.
         0 KB in bad sectors.
    343392 KB in use by the system.
     65536 KB occupied by the log file.
  27776704 KB available on disk.

      4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
  32006143 total allocation units on disk.
   6944176 allocation units available on disk.

Internal Info:
00 a5 03 00 ec 31 03 00 9d d8 05 00 00 00 00 00  .....1..........
5a 03 00 00 3c 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  Z...<...........
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................

Windows has finished checking your disk.
Please wait while your computer restarts.

Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Wininit" Guid="{206f6dea-d3c5-4d10-bc72-989f03c8b84b}" EventSourceName="Wininit" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="16384">1001</EventID>
    <Version>0</Version>
    <Level>4</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2016-07-29T22:06:11.000000000Z" />
    <EventRecordID>28618</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation />
    <Execution ProcessID="0" ThreadID="0" />
    <Channel>Application</Channel>
    <Computer>river</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>

Checking file system on G:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Volume label is New Volume.

A disk check has been scheduled.
Windows will now check the disk.                         

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)...
  238848 file records processed.                                         

File verification completed.
  705 large file records processed.                                   

  0 bad file records processed.                                     

  2 EA records processed.                                           

  60 reparse records processed.                                     

CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)...
  306112 index entries processed.                                       

Index verification completed.
  0 unindexed files scanned.                                       

  0 unindexed files recovered.                                     

CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)...
  238848 file SDs/SIDs processed.                                       

Cleaning up 72 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 72 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 72 unused security descriptors.
Security descriptor verification completed.
  33633 data files processed.                                           

CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal...
  34069336 USN bytes processed.                                           

Usn Journal verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)...
  238832 files processed.                                               

File data verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)...
  6944176 free clusters processed.                                       

Free space verification is complete.
Windows has checked the file system and found no problems.

 128024572 KB total disk space.
  99800044 KB in 175743 files.
    104432 KB in 33634 indexes.
         0 KB in bad sectors.
    343392 KB in use by the system.
     65536 KB occupied by the log file.
  27776704 KB available on disk.

      4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
  32006143 total allocation units on disk.
   6944176 allocation units available on disk.

Internal Info:
00 a5 03 00 ec 31 03 00 9d d8 05 00 00 00 00 00  .....1..........
5a 03 00 00 3c 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  Z...&lt;...........
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................

Windows has finished checking your disk.
Please wait while your computer restarts.
</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 29, 2016, 04:14:30 pm
When you run chkdsk in read-only mode, if anything is being written to the HDD at the time then that can report false errors.

The reason WR was running slow could have been because the path to the system files would not have been C:

If this is an OEM machine you are using then I would suggest backing up your personal stuff to an external HDD and then factory reset.

This will take it back to out of the box and set the partition letters back to the way they should be.

It will be time consuming as you will have the likes of Adobe and Java products to uninstall and then go to www.adobe.com and www.java.com for the latest versions, your personal stuff to drag & drop back in and then there are Windows Updates which can be a PITA.

Following a factory reset on this machine prior to upgrading to Win 10, there were about 260 of them which totalled in excess of 1.3GB to download and install.

What were you doing to change the system partition to G: ?

 
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 30, 2016, 01:01:27 am
i cant understand why u suggest backing up your personal stuff to an external HDD and then factory reset. doesn't everything look ok now? or am i missing something

what do u see as being wrong in the log?

its not qem and is nothing to do with manufacturer now
personal data is always on usb disk
system backup is also saved, Aomei claims it can transfer to a new disc even on another machine
win 7

interesting what u say about WR running slow , it had crossed my mind
the system drive is called G , i was tyring to change the letters over a year back when i had 2 drives plus a usb one

id still like to know how i can tell if WR fixed anything

thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 30, 2016, 01:25:09 am
i cant understand why u suggest backing up your personal stuff ....etc. doesn't everything look ok now? or am i missing something

what do u see as being wrong in the log?

if i right click on system drive windows explorer stops working, could this be a clue :(

i just tryed to change system drive letter again, i got parameter is incorrect

also system drive was not set as active, it is now

its not qem and is nothing to do with manufacturer now
personal data is always on usb disk
system backup is also saved, Aomei claims it can transfer to a new disc even on another machine
win 7

interesting what u say about WR running slow , it had crossed my mind
the system drive is called G , i was tyring to change the letters over a year back when i had 2 drives plus a usb one

id still like to know how i can tell if WR fixed anything

thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 30, 2016, 02:00:56 am
If you are happy with the way things are then you can leave it, but usually to get the system partition back to C: you would normally have to either factory reset or reinstall.

You say you are unable to resolve the Permissions issue regarding updates but not what the other problems were that you were trying to fix.

If they are still unresolved then going back to the beginning should resolve all of your problems.

Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 30, 2016, 02:30:06 am
do u think the last scan fixed any thing

do u know how i can tell if WR fixed anything. Or do i waste time running it  again. I keep asking this so could u please tell me that its either not an answerable question or not nessacary for me to know

Is there a way the change the drive letter without reinstall . I really don't want that
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 30, 2016, 05:26:46 am
If you are no longer getting the problems you did prior to running WR then it will have fixed them, but Shane advises running WR twice.

As for changing the drive letter back to C: I came across this Google link with bcdedit commands in Post #6 which you may have to modify to suit your situation.

https://forum.acronis.com/forum/34337

It's also possible that a repair install may put it right which you could try.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 30, 2016, 07:22:22 am
thanks very much 4 your help and finding the articles, hopefully i can take it from here

mark
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 30, 2016, 07:25:00 am
Okay, but let us know how you get on as your experience could help others.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 30, 2016, 01:11:12 pm
boot manager broke earlier, i used win 7 disk to do a startup repair and now i have C drive. Can u say if i can put the os onto this c drive please
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 30, 2016, 01:16:05 pm
rt
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 30, 2016, 01:38:46 pm
No, you can't.

That is the system recovery partition and it shouldn't have a drive letter, besides, it's only 100MB.

You should remove the drive letter from there but I still don't think you will be able to change G to C

I'm just wondering if Startup Repair assigned that partition as C

You can use an install disk to boot up with and from the command prompt in there, you can use the bootrec commands to repair/rebuild the boot manager but I don't think it will assign it back to C.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/20864-mbr-restore-windows-7-master-boot-record.html

You may have to give those bcdedit commands a go or reinstall.

Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 31, 2016, 01:41:24 am
yes it must have startup repair that assigned the c label , i didnt

ur right it still wont let me change it, i had thought that maybe i could just expand c: , stick the system backup on it that i have, and set it as active. ...i know thats a bit simplistic ha ha

the installation disc would not allow me to follow MS's own instructions to repair startup,[although im starting to wonder if it was just me]  but by removing the disc at one point i got there. It took 2 goes to fix it. Am not keen to use it again as u suggest but will take a look

if i formatted and reinstalled windows do u think the AOMEI system backup [or a mirror image] could be put onto the partition to replace the new installation, thus giving me a c drive again and my old os intact

am glad to have windows back again, maybe its time to re install the os

will look at the link u gave me
thanks

Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 31, 2016, 02:04:41 am
I'm not sure if a repair install will do it because that just repairs the OS in situ as far as I know, so it could remain as G

You may need to wipe and do a clean install.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 31, 2016, 06:19:06 am
not sure if we are meaning the same thing when u say "repair install" .

 I mean: "do u think the AOMEI system backup [or a mirror image] could be put onto the partition to replace the new installation, thus giving me a c drive again and my old os intact" . Certainly the mirror image is not "just repairs the OS in situ"
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 31, 2016, 06:29:06 am
A repair install is where you boot up Windows then insert the install disk and click on Install now or hit the setup.exe.

This overwrites the existing OS where it's at without affecting your personal stuff.

If the image was taken after you changed the drive letters, then no, you would end up with exactly the same.

The mirror is exactly as it was when you created it.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 31, 2016, 08:44:53 am
ahhh, well that sorts that then, have learned a bit, thanks. Ill try the repair install as u gave a link for just in case, then prepare to format disc etc
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 31, 2016, 08:56:10 am
Good luck then.

The article suggests that you back up your Drivers folders which you can find at C:\Windows\System32 and there should be three of them which you can drag & drop into an USB stick and then put them back afterwards.

Were those bcdedit commands in that article no good then ?
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on July 31, 2016, 10:08:24 am
the bcdedit commands looked a bit out of my depth and it seemed doubtful as to whether it would work . Good to know where the drivers are i was wondering

i said a few posts back that i couldn't get on with installation disc , then i thought it was just me. Now it seems to be the damn disc as i cant get to the repair options in setup . Ive been there before twice 2 days ago . MS article said its after the set time/date /country screen , but its not [anymore] 

any ideas as i'll need this onew day for sure
thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on July 31, 2016, 01:37:05 pm
What exactly are you trying to do with the install disk ?

If your install disk doesn't include SP1 and you are unable to uninstall SP1 then you can't use that disk for a repair install - you can only use it for a clean install.

If you can wait a few days for the Postal Service, I can burn you a couple of Win 7 SP1 universal install disks so you'll have one spare.

These were the Pro version but by removing the eicfg file, they will now cover from Starter to Ultimate.

I assume you are using x64 bit ?

Just PM me your address.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 01, 2016, 12:19:02 am
I'd forgotten that if you have a valid retail key for your Ultimate then you may be able to download an ISO which may include SP1 from -

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

Select Save and then you can use this Windows Burner Tool to create the bootable media of your choice, but if you opt for creating a bootable USB, ensure your machine can boot from USB before the HDD.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

I can still send you a couple of Win 7 install disks if you want them.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 01, 2016, 12:47:10 am
just wrote a long post but it got lost before i could send it
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 01, 2016, 01:00:14 am
just saw ur latest post , unfortunately i wont be able to get that from MS, but useful to know

cant believe i lost that long msg before posting it, am very slow typer...here goes again.

was trying to do a repair install [last resort], saw what i thought was the option when i did that startup repair the other day , but maybe it was not there after all,  and i don't have sp1. Anyway right now i cant even get back to that screen for the startup repair.

 thats very kind of u the offer the discs, they should be a great help. Yes 64 bit

if its useful to anyone: now Ive done another chkdsc/r the windows tweaking repairs run quickly [all night last time] and actually made some changes

thanks



Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 01, 2016, 01:02:41 am
just saw ur latest post , unfortunately i wont be able to get that from MS, but useful to know

cant believe i lost that long msg before posting it, am very slow typer...here goes again.

was trying to do a repair install [last resort], saw what i thought was the option when i did that startup repair the other day , but maybe it was not there after all and i don't have sp1. Anyway, right now i cant even get back to that screen for the startup repair. [in case i need it in future]

 thats very kind of u the offer the discs, they should be a great help. Yes 64 bit

if its useful to anyone: now Ive done another chkdsc/r the windows tweaking repairs run quickly [all night last time] and actually made some changes

thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 01, 2016, 01:13:22 am
To do a repair install you must first boot up Windows then insert the disk and then click on Install now or the Setup.exe in the Autoplay window.

When you boot up with an install disk, to navigate to the Recovery Environment where you will see Startup repair etc. you must click on Repair your Computer - otherwise you click on Install now for the clean install where you select Custom install.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 01, 2016, 01:39:00 am
ah ha...thats what i forgot doing , booting up first. no wonder i couldn't get there again

thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 01, 2016, 01:54:40 am
It does help :)
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 01, 2016, 02:26:03 am
running a thorough defrag right now . Will post results of repair install shortly
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 01, 2016, 03:53:25 am
followed these steps:
with windows running, put in disc, copying temp files, in my computer i click on dvd drive,where to install windows screen appears, i click system partition , installing windows is started [3 stages]

no repair options
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 01, 2016, 08:55:48 am
With a repair install you don't get any repair steps, not like the options you get in the Recovery Environment, it just installs over the top of the existing install.

It's called a repair install because that's all it does whereas a clean install wipes everything off, including your programs and personal stuff and installs the OS from scratch.

Do you have a valid retail product key for your Ultimate ?
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 01, 2016, 09:05:06 am
sorry i wasn't clear . I only mentioned steps in order to describe the screen  [it's the installing Windows screen] the one i do not want to see

i never got a retail product key when i brought the old machine
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 01, 2016, 09:16:30 am
Did the machine come with Ultimate installed ?

Without the product key you won't be able to do a repair or clean install.

Is there a COA sticker on the machine which has a 5x5 alphanumeric key printed on it ?

Download Belarc Advisor and that will give you a product key.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Post the full make & model of your computer and I'll see if I can find the specs for it to see what it originally came installed with.

Where did you buy the machine from ?
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 01, 2016, 10:11:18 am
yes it with ultimate

got key now from belarc Product key removed by Moderator for security reasons

i don't think model with help much as its an old machine purchased from some bloke :) [acer aspire]. well out of warranty. Another hard drive was fitted and several OS's apparently
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 01, 2016, 11:11:22 am
That's good news, so should apply to the current OS.

When you are prompted for the key, enter it in blocks of 5 - you could also try entering that key into https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7 to see if it's accepted and allows you to download the ISO.

Go back to my Reply #31 for how I said to download it and to use the Windows program from the link I've posted to create your bootable media.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 01, 2016, 11:47:38 am
i never am asked for a key.

at the link i got: Your license key must contain 25 letters and numbers and no special characters: ()[].-#*/
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 01, 2016, 03:21:58 pm
Lower down the page is a box for you to enter the product key and then you click on Verify.

I can't tell you what happens after that when it does accept the key, because I don't have a valid retail key and it doesn't accept an OEM sticker or vendor's generic key that you would get on an OEM pre-installed machine.

If you got the disk with the machine, I'm surprised you didn't get the product key also.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: CKing123 on August 01, 2016, 06:53:57 pm
Unfortunately OEM keys do not work.

Quote
Microsoft makes the Windows 7 SP1 ISO available for direct download through their site. The only catch is that you’ll need a valid product key in order to download the file–and OEM keys (like the one that came on a sticker under your laptop) won’t work.
Source: http://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/

There is...another way to get the Windows 7 ISO from Microsoft: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/download-official-windows-iso-files-free-microsoft/

Not sure if it is legal or not

-CKing
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 02, 2016, 01:07:20 am
Lower down the page is a box for you to enter the product key and then you click on Verify.

I can't tell you what happens after that when it does accept the key, because I don't have a valid retail key and it doesn't accept an OEM sticker or vendor's generic key that you would get on an OEM pre-installed machine.

If you got the disk with the machine, I'm surprised you didn't get the product key also.

yes, when i pressed verify i got : Your license key must contain 25 letters and numbers and no special characters: ()[].-#*/.

so its not accepted. but thanks for thinking of that

 i agree The disc should have a key
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 02, 2016, 01:27:09 am
Unfortunately OEM keys do not work.

Quote
Microsoft makes the Windows 7 SP1 ISO available for direct download through their site. The only catch is that you’ll need a valid product key in order to download the file–and OEM keys (like the one that came on a sticker under your laptop) won’t work.
Source: http://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/

There is...another way to get the Windows 7 ISO from Microsoft: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/download-official-windows-iso-files-free-microsoft/

Not sure if it is legal or not

-CKing
cKing

thats very interesting, had no idea about it. had a look but cant find what the "cheat" is, [the bit i would be doing to cheat or avoid the official route] . Ive got a disc coming in the mail should rectify matters

i followed the wrong link, i see the "cheat" now. I thinks its ust a loop hole

thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 02, 2016, 03:28:20 am
When you enter the key in blocks of 5 it usually puts the dashes in for you.

Did you enter the key correctly, as I don't get a reject message like that when I put my sticker or vendor generic key in.

This is my COA sticker key which is of no use to anyone else -

C7928-Q72MQ-9R727-4VT82-BCBHP

Enter those blocks of 5 without the dashes and see what that returns.

It tells me that it is for OEM preinstalled software and to contact the vendor for recovery software.

When you checked with Belarc, did your product key display as my COA sticker key does ?
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 02, 2016, 03:45:53 am
did your product key display as my COA sticker key does ? yes it did

im 3 digits short to start with so Entering blocks of 5 without the dashes and see what that returns is not yet an issue i think
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 02, 2016, 04:25:59 am
I'm not sure what you mean by that.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 02, 2016, 04:30:28 am
my number is 3 digits short according to the error msg when i try to verify it. it must be 25 digits

you said: did your product key display as my COA sticker key does ? . My reply: yes it did

also belarc will now not show seriel number so i cant answer ur question, or am i missing it, am sure it was here

Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 7601)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United Kingdom)
Installed: 03/09/2015 22:17:14
Boot Mode: Legacy BIOS in UEFI (Secure Boot not supported)
System Model Acer Aspire X1430
System Serial Number: PVSHUE2001143020183000
Enclosure Type: Desktop


Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 02, 2016, 04:41:15 am
No, that isn't your product key which you posted before - scroll further down the page.

The free version of Speccy will also give your product key - click on Operating System after it has finished analyzing.

https://www.piriform.com/speccy
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 02, 2016, 05:03:11 am
well spotted sir guess im getting a bit knackerd . Will try it now

I've removed it from your post should it be a retail key that anyone could try, depending upon how many licenses it is valid for.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 02, 2016, 05:28:01 am
thanks for removing that

i tried the serial and got:

We encountered a problem with the product key you provided. Please try again or visit the Microsoft Support Contact Us page for assistance.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 02, 2016, 05:30:55 am
That doesn't sound very promising.

Go Start - type activate windows and press enter to see if it returns as a genuine activation.

EDIT - try it again in case you made a typo.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 02, 2016, 08:02:05 am
re typo: it was copy/past . Dashes were correct

am a bit loath to check validation as ive heard stories of things going horribly wrong afterwards. [by supposedly professional technician]

 considering i bought the machine off a guy in the pub , and taking into account the reputation of the pub i would am not convinced anything here is as it should be....but u never know. When i get the permissions fixed i will update the OS and presumably tell that way if its genuine
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 02, 2016, 09:27:55 am
Unless you can determine if you have a genuine install then the key won't work for either a repair or clean install.

It may just have been a glitch because if you have all of your Windows Updates, one of those runs a check on the validity of your install.

Try it this way - go Start - right click on Computer and select Properties.

Down at the bottom of the screen you will see Windows Activation.

Initially it may say Not Known but shortly after it will say if it is or not.

If it displays an OEM key then you have an OEM install, but as the machine has some history then Ultimate will have been an upgrade.

EDIT - Try inputting the key again but do it manually.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 02, 2016, 09:52:06 am
it say win is activated , it's a QEM number

i have no updates installed as i cant get permission

entering number manually gets same result

would that disc u were going to send help? would be much appreciated
thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 02, 2016, 10:13:30 am
I wonder if the Ultimate upgrade was a bought OEM install as after either February this year or last year, MS stopped selling Win 7 anything and OEM installs could be bought off the Internet as an alternative.

While they will work, once an OEM version has been installed then it cannot be transferred to any other machine, unlike a retail version.

If you downloaded Speccy, under Operating System just above where it gives the product key, it will give the date of its install.

You should be okay to use that key for a repair install but it won't work for a clean install as you would need a retail key for the disks I've sent you, although you may be able to do a clean install with your disk - but that would have to be a try it and see.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 02, 2016, 11:18:55 am
i seem to recall speccy said it was installed last year.

i would try the serial but if u recall i couldn't get to the right page/place ....
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 02, 2016, 11:41:47 am
Well you can try the repair install with the disks I've sent you but I don't think it will change G: to C:

I think the only way you can do that would be to perform a clean install with the disk that you have.

However, when you get the disks I've sent you, you could boot up with one - select Repair your Computer and navigate to the Recovery Environment - select Command Prompt and enter -

bcdedit |find "osdevice" then using which partition letter that returns, enter (assuming c )

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offbootdir=C:\Windows

I don't know if that will resolve the Permissions issue but it should sort out any system file corruption.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 02, 2016, 01:06:58 pm
thanks very much i will do that and post her results
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 03, 2016, 05:07:16 am
I was thinking that you could still try a repair install with the disks I've sent you then see if it will accept your key or you could leave the registration as I believe that article says and after it has completed, go Start - type Slui 3 - press enter then enter your key when prompted and wait to see if it accepts it and activates the install.

However, while that may resolve most problems, I still don't think it will change G: to C:
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 03, 2016, 07:21:28 am
got discs.thanks pls let me know how i can reimburse you for postage etc...paypay/ or similar/or cheuqe

apparently system recovery is not compatible with mine[windows repair] should i still try from command prompt . If so how do i get to the recovery environment

thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 03, 2016, 08:28:37 am
Postage is negligible - no charge.

What happens when you change the boot order and boot up with the install disk ?

After pressing any key to boot from CD/DVD you could be presented with an inverse screen with Windows Setup (EMS Enabled) highlighted.

Just press enter and you should get the splash screen to either install or Repair your Computer (lower left).

Change/confirm keyboard/currency etc. using the dropdown and then make a note of where it locates the OS to repair.

This is the partition letter you would use with the offboot sfc /scannow command.

From there you should get the Recovery Environment to select Command Prompt.

You can still enter bcdedit |find "osdevice" to confirm the partition letter before entering the sfc /scannow command

Let me know if it's any different.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 03, 2016, 10:31:54 am
when i boot from the disc i get same thing ie repair or setup options

should there  be an step between these 2 so i can get to the place where i can use  the offboot sfc /scannow command:

Change/confirm keyboard/currency etc. using the dropdown and then make a note of where it locates the OS to repair.

This is the partition letter you would use with the offboot sfc /scannow command.

edit: sorry i realize i should refer back to the other post for missing step

thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 03, 2016, 01:21:26 pm
Although I already have my laptop to check the DVD and USB drives before the HDD, for a one off boot order change I would tap F12 as I switched on.

This is a pretty standard key for this, but when you next boot up, look to the bottom of the screen where it will flash press F2 for Setup and F12 for boot change - but this may be different on your PC.

Whatever key it is for you, a window will pop up where you use your cursor keys to select the ODD - Optical Disk Drive.

Insert the disk and press enter.

Press any key to boot from CD/DVD when prompted and you may get the blue splash screen with Install now in the centre or an inverse window with Windows Setup [EMS Enabled] highlighted.

If you get the latter, press enter and when Windows has finished loading the files, use the dropdown to change the Time and Currency and that will auto change the keyboard.

You should now get the blue splash screen - click on Repair your Computer and then it will search for the OS to repair.

This is where you make a note of the partition letter - Next - and that should give you the Recovery Environment where you can select from Startup Repair down to Command Prompt.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 06, 2016, 11:18:19 am
hi

so sorry that u had to write all that instruction. i always get to :  "press enter and when Windows has finished loading the files, use the dropdown to change the Time and Currency and that will auto change the keyboard," without trouble.

thanks for the detail, im sure thats what i do each time...but will try again tomorrow , and to the letter
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 08, 2016, 02:10:49 am
hi

i must be going wrong at this point : "This is where you make a note of the partition letter - Next - and that should give you the Recovery Environment where you can select from Startup Repair down to Command Prompt." could u explain this instruction pls as i dont understand what to do at this point

Repair your Computer will not work as its not compatible with my version

have also tried my original win 7 disc again and still cant get back to the repair screen , i definitely used that a week ago to "repair win startup", i thought maybe it would also offer the "repair windows" option that we are looking for on your disc
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 08, 2016, 05:33:17 am
I've had a similar problem when I sent someone else some disks where it didn't give the choice of version to install.

That was for someone using the Pro version, but with the ei.cfg file removed, it should allow you to use it on a an Ultimate version.

Can you go Start - right click on Computer and select Properties - this will confirm which version of Windows you are using, 32 or 64 bit and if SP1 is installed.

I'll burn you some more disks and get those off to you this afternoon.

I have this ISO stored on two laptops so will burn them from the other laptop to see if they work any better.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 08, 2016, 07:42:55 am
I've found out why those disks haven't worked for you.

I'd been playing with the ei.cfg removal utility - run it once and it removes the file - run it again and it restores it.

Must have left it restored, but have checked both disks and they boot up as well as giving the setup.exe when loading them in Windows.

I've marked the envelopes 2 so you will know which is which, but you can bin those others as they are just for Pro.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 08, 2016, 11:35:51 am
sounds like ur putting in more work on this than i am :)....its 64 bit, sp1, ultimate, activated, qem

i think its fair now to make some financial compensation to you, ur costs are mounting up

will let u know result

thanks again

Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 08, 2016, 04:30:10 pm
Did Speccy give you a 5x5 alphanumeric product key ?

If whoever you bought this off or even the previous owner before that had upgraded the machine to Ultimate, then it should have a proper product key to activate it.

Normally it would be on a sticker somewhere on the casing of the machine but if this machine had been upgraded from an earlier or lower version of Win 7, then that key wouldn't activate Ultimate.

On an OEM laptop with its original build, Speccy will give the vendor's generic key which is different to the one on the sticker, but using Slui 3 you can change it to the sticker key which can make life easier if you have to do a repair install with a Win 7 SP1 ISO.

There's no need for reimbursement as the postage is negligible and I buy my DVDs in spools of 50s, so there's plenty left :D
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 08, 2016, 09:35:34 pm
yes it's a 5x5 alphanumeric product key . Slui 3 sounds useful too if i can remember it:)
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 10, 2016, 01:25:09 am
no luck...same message saying not compatible, definitely used the new disc. As i said several posts ago i made startup repair with my disc but cant get back to the option now.maybe windows repair was offered as well..what do u think
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 10, 2016, 06:21:58 am
I definitely checked that the ei.cfg file was removed so can't understand why you are still getting the compatibility error.

I'm surprised that you aren't getting that error when you try the same with your original install disk unless it has SP1 included and it is of concern, that you don't get the Repair your Computer option when using that disk.

Can you tell me exactly what happens and the stages it goes through when you boot up with that disk ?
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 10, 2016, 09:49:49 am
afraid i dont understand this: I'm surprised that you aren't getting that error when you try the same with your original install disk unless it has SP1 included and it is of concern, that you don't get the Repair your Computer option when using that disk.

i'll try to do it tomorrow and makes notes

thanks
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 10, 2016, 03:01:33 pm
If your install disk didn't include SP1, when you boot up with it and select Repair your Computer and it checks the OS to repair, you would normally get a compatibility error - otherwise you should be able to navigate to the Recovery Environment as I've described.

I was having some problems with the disk drive on that laptop in burning the disks, but they checked out okay on that machine.

I'll burn you another couple on my other Win 7 laptop to see if they work any better for you.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 15, 2016, 10:35:17 am
hi

have just returned , much to do so i will be a few days before i attack the problem again. Thanks very much for new disc
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 15, 2016, 12:50:51 pm
That's okay - just let me know if you have an problems or success.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 23, 2016, 11:35:58 am
hi

am sure u'll be as disappointed as me....i got the same incompatibility error using the new disc. I suspect its time to face the music and reinstall, what do u think
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 23, 2016, 03:10:13 pm
I just don't understand that.

It looks like you don't have any option left but to reinstall.

The install disk that you have - are you sure it is for Ultimate and 64 bit and do you have a 5x5 alphanumeric product key to activate it with ?
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 24, 2016, 06:18:15 pm
yes its odd. Answer to all ur questions is yes. Im really disappointed as you given so much time [and discs],  its one time when repair does notwork i guess
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 25, 2016, 12:11:51 am
Don't forget to let us know how you get on with your reinstall.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 26, 2016, 02:09:50 am
i will, although it may be a while [as i limp along]. Is there any reason to keep the first 2 versions of the disc?

thanks again for ur help
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 26, 2016, 05:43:26 am
You could try doing your clean install with each of them to see if they ask which version you want to install and if Ultimate is one of the options and that will tell you if any are any good - otherwise just bin them.
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: qaz on August 27, 2016, 03:05:19 am
i didnt think i could install from them as i dont have matching serial. I thought they were only good for repairs
Title: Re: takes all night to apply fixes
Post by: Boggin on August 27, 2016, 04:29:57 am
You could leave the activation as you get or used to, 30 days free trial but you could be prompted after three days.

That is when you may be able to use that Slui 3 command to change the product key, but to save complicating things it would probably be best to just use your own disk for the install.