Clean Install Of Windows 7 Pro

Is it possible to do a clean install without the W7 Pro disc?

I think my computer has a virus and doing an install using the system image option probably wouldn't be a good idea.

canongear wrote in post #18196282
Is it possible to do a clean install without the W7 Pro disc?

I think my computer has a virus and doing an install using the system image option probably wouldn't be a good idea.

Unless your computer has a restore partition, you'll need a copy of Win7. This can be a DVD or a flash drive from which you boot the PC, reformat the drive, and re-load Windows.

What brand is your PC? For example, you if you have a Dell, you can borrow a Dell Win7 DVD and use that with the license code on the side of your PC. A generic OEM (unbranded) Win7 DVD will also work. The important part is that the Windows version on the DVD matches your license code. ie. Home or Pro.

It's a custom build desktop.
I don't have access at this point in time to a copy of W7.
For whatever reason the W7 DVD did not come with the computer when I bought it brand new.
I was told by the seller I could burn a copy of it online.
Is that possible?
If it is, that would take multiple DVD's to do wouldn't it?

canongear wrote in post #18196319
It's a custom build desktop.
I don't have access at this point in time to a copy of W7.
For whatever reason the W7 DVD did not come with the computer when I bought it brand new.
I was told by the seller I could burn a copy of it online.
Is that possible?
If it is, that would take multiple DVD's to do wouldn't it?

You can download a copy of Windows 7 from Microsoft. Here is a link (happens to be for Canada - might work, but it might be best to find a source in your own country).
https://www.microsoft.​com …oftware-download/windows7

Did you ever save a System Image, one that was saved when the PC was probably virus free still? Restore from a virs-free System Image can resolve virus infections.

Archibald wrote in post #18196336
You can download a copy of Windows 7 from Microsoft. Here is a link (happens to be for Canada - might work, but it might be best to find a source in your own country).
https://www.microsoft.​com …oftware-download/windows7

I was on that site a little while ago and couldn't get it to verify the Product Key.
It wasn't saying that it was invalid just that there was a problem and check back later.
I'll check again now and see what happens.

Wilt wrote in post #18196340
Did you ever save a System Image, one that was saved when the PC was probably virus free still? Restore from a virs-free System Image can resolve virus infections.

Unfortunately, no.

canongear wrote in post #18196341
I was on that site a little while ago and couldn't get it to verify the Product Key.
It wasn't saying that it was invalid just that there was a problem and check back later.
I'll check again now and see what happens.

Here's the US site. Just guessing that this might be useful to you.
https://www.microsoft.​com …oftware-download/windows7

Still getting the same message from the Microsoft site.
On top of this, I just found out that I may have a counterfiet installation on my desktop.

I asked the same question on another site and due to some information I supplied to the person helping me, this is what he said:
I suggest you go back to the shop and demand a refund.
You have an Asus OEM product key on a retailed motherboard = counterfiet installation.
The product key has been "lifted" from the COA sticker on a genuine W7 computer.
Unfortunately until you purchase either a Sytem Builder or Retail key we cannot help you further .
(your link was only for SP1 not the complete system)

The information was from a scan using this link he provided:

http://go.microsoft.co​m/fwlink/?LinkID=52012

You're gona need to grab a win 7 license then. There are many resellers if you're wiling to take the 25$ gamble.

Report the shop to Microsoft if they're still around.

The shop is still around and I'm quite surprised this has happened.
I've dealt with this business for over 10 years and initially got great honest service from them.
But, I have noticed a change.
Seems to be frequent employee turnover.
The business is not a big box store business but it does have 3 other stores in different locations.

I plan on visiting them this week to get some answers about things.
If I don't get any satisfaction, I'll contact their head office.

I'm going to take a copy of the information that the go. microsoft link produced along with the counterfiet statement.
Can someone explain this statement a bit better for me:
"You have an Asus OEM product key on a retailed motherboard = counterfiet installation."
I'm confused about the Asus OEM product key.
I thought I was dealing with a Microsoft product key.

canongear wrote in post #18196426
The shop is still around and I'm quite surprised this has happened.
"You have an Asus OEM product key on a retailed motherboard = counterfiet installation."
I'm confused about the Asus OEM product key.
I thought I was dealing with a Microsoft product key.

A version "keyed" as an OEM version mainly lacks Microsoft support. Instead you are to deal with the OEM of the PC.

The short summary; OEM can only be re-installed on the same machine it was first activated on, it usually comes pre-installed on the machine (but can also be bought separately), no official MS support, cheaper

The single license retail version can be re-installed on any single machine, as long as it is not activated on another machine, it is usually bought separately, full MS support, more expensive than the OEM version.

Is there some reason why you don't attempt to attack the virus instead of a clean install? Have you identified the virus?

You might find some good help at http://www.sevenforums​.com …dows-7-a.html#post1839164.

John from PA wrote in post #18196446
A version "keyed" as an OEM version mainly lacks Microsoft support. Instead you are to deal with the OEM of the PC.

The short summary; OEM can only be re-installed on the same machine it was first activated on, it usually comes pre-installed on the machine (but can also be bought separately), no official MS support, cheaper

The single license retail version can be re-installed on any single machine, as long as it is not activated on another machine, it is usually bought separately, full MS support, more expensive than the OEM version.

Is there some reason why you don't attempt to attack the virus instead of a clean install? Have you identified the virus?

You might find some good help at http://www.sevenforums​.com …dows-7-a.html#post1839164.

Now I'm a bit more confused.
My desktop was a custom build, so I'm assuming that Windows 7 wasn't pre-installed.
If it is a "keyed" version on the machine, I am getting Microsoft support if by that you mean automatic Windows updates, Microsoft Essentials updates.

The person on the other site that I was in contact with said that the builder of my computer was breaking the terms of the EULA buy not including the W7 disc and my system could be classified as non-genuine and that is done to stop multiple usage of the same product key.

If I understand correctly what you are saying, multiple use of the same product key is not possible for use on different machines at the same if it is already activated on a machine?

Why would this other person consider what I have on my machine as being counterfiet then?

Sorry if these are stupid questions but I just want to make sure I have my information correct before I go to the business where I bought the computer.

Regarding trying to fix the virus myself, I wouldn't know where to begin.

Maybe I'm wrong in saying that a virus is the problem.
What the problem is, I've been getting a lot of blue screen issues over the past couple of days.
Maybe it's actually a hardware problem?

I did a system restore yesterday and eventually had the blue screen issue several times since.
However, I haven't had a blue screen in the past couple of hours so I don't know what to make of that.

I have Microsoft Essentials and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on the computer and any scans I've done, don't show any issues.
i do daily updates on both of these programs.

canongear wrote in post #18196521
Now I'm a bit more confused.
Regarding trying to fix the virus myself, I wouldn't know where to begin.

Maybe I'm wrong in saying that a virus is the problem.
What the problem is, I've been getting a lot of blue screen issues over the past couple of days.
Maybe it's actually a hardware problem?

I did a system restore yesterday and eventually had the blue screen issue several times since.
However, I haven't had a blue screen in the past couple of hours so I don't know what to make of that.

I have Microsoft Essentials and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on the computer and any scans I've done, don't show any issues.
i do daily updates on both of these programs.

An Asus OEM install should be done to an Asus motherboard, but there are ways to accomplish the install to something else, although it doesn't meet Microsoft requirements.

As to your blue screen, this is not likely a virus. I would initially run the utility within Win 7 to check and repair the drive.

1. Right click on My Computer or Computer

2. At the next ascreen float your cursor over your hard drive letter (likely C) then right click.

3. Scroll down to Properties.

4. Click the Tools tab and select "Check Now". Follow prompts to allow the process to begin. Ultimately you will be asked about restarting the computer to start the process so reboot.