Re-installed windows doesn't work

[Atty]

I reinstalled windows on my friends sisters computer. They are computer illiterate in the most inexplainable sense so I did them an easy favor.

I used the original version of Windows that came on the computer (HP, I think) and the product key from the bottom of the laptop. When I reinstalled Windows it A) Wouldn't let me use IE. It kept giving me an error and wouldn't start and B) It refuses to let me update it. I can't install any programs. I can't do anything with it, really. Windows acts as sluggish after a fresh reinstall as it did when there was a Virus on the computer beforehand and explorer.exe was completely broken.

Obviously Windows needs to be re-installed but is there another way to do it that will be more beneficial? It's old and slow so I have no idea what to do...the stock disk of Windows is completely broken somehow?

Idk anymore

 

[janas19]

The original version of Windows that comes with an HP restores the drive image to stock. It does not clean install Windows. The best thing for you to do is run some anti-virus, spyware, and maleware software. Clean that hard drive up, restore it, maybe install an alternative web browser like Firefox.

 

[knev]

Basically you have over wrote windows files, if the problem with any other software like anvitivirus, virus installed or any application program.
I feel better you backup the data do a fresh installation which should opt for format the disks.
this shoould be better solution rather then debugging everything and wasting of time

 

[DirkGently1]

What version of Windows are we talking about here?

If it's Windows 7 you can download the correct ISO from here and burn it to a DVD. Install using the License Key that you have:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/

For the License to work it has to be the same version of the OS that the PC shipped with. The above source is a perfectly legit and legal download btw.

 

[Motorheader]

What version of Windows did you re-install? If it was XP did you do the repair option? Depending on the service pack level and if automatic updates were running then the system may have been at a more recent SP level than the original restore disk and the issue you are having would be a direct result of this. Try downloading and installing the standalone installer for the latest SP level for the OS. If that works and still doesn't allow for updates to run then try dial-a-fix. It is a bit older but I have found it still helpful at times when it comes to XP.

 

[Atty]

It was Vista.

 

[sm625]

When you go to install windows, you need to delete the partition that windows was on. Usually there are two partitions, one is very small. You want to delete the big one, and then format it. If you never see an option to choose "Custom"

http://www.vistax64.com/attachments/tutorials/14826d1249887419-custom-install-vista-step6.jpg

or you never see a screen like this

http://www.pcstats.com/articleimages/200803/installVista_7248.jpg

then you arent installing from the right disc. Dont mess with oem restore discs. You can always install from a genuine generic windows install disc. But you might have to do a little research first to figure out how to get your key in there.

 

[Motorheader]

Well if you were able to boot from the desktop and do a re-install it may be a matter of updating service packs.

 

[Harvey]

The original version of Windows that comes with an HP restores the drive image to stock. It does not clean install Windows.

That is wrong. Using the stored drive image should wipe the main section of the drive and re-install the complete factory fresh setup as it was on the machine when it was new.

I guess it's possible that some virus could infect the image file. Many manufacturers of "department store" computer brands (HP, etc.) will sell you a recovery disk for your machine IF the machine is not so old that they have let that support lapse. Typically, they charge ~ $25 because they're selling you replacement installation media, not a Windows license, which comes with the machine.

The best thing for you to do is run some anti-virus, spyware, and maleware software. Clean that hard drive up, restore it, maybe install an alternative web browser like Firefox.

Wiping the main drive may be a good idea, but I wouldn't trust the stability or integrity of any Windows installation that would not run basic Windows programs like IE, regardless of which browser you prefer.

 

[janas19]

That is wrong. Using the stored drive image should wipe the main section of the drive and re-install the complete factory fresh setup as it was on the machine when it was new.

Can you provide a link? My understanding was that a recovery disk does not wipe a drive. But I'm probably wrong.

 

[Harvey]

Can you provide a link? My understanding was that a recovery disk does not wipe a drive. But I'm probably wrong.

I can't speak for every model from every manufacturer. For the most accurate info on what the recovery partition does and how to use it for a specific HP machine, go to hp.com, enter the exact model number in the search window and search for the manual for the model. The recovery info should be in the manual. The same should be true for any other manufacturer.

If you need a replacement disk, contact their tech support.

 

[Atty]

I'm not going to get a replacement disk. Too much effort on my behalf for something I'm doing as a favor. What I'm going to do is write zeros to the hard drive tonight and then reinstall windows from an OEM copy. I'll track down any drivers I need, that's easy, but I'm not going through this BS. I didn't think that it wouldn't have wiped the drive clean before installing Windows again. Though, I've worked solely with Mac's and Apple products for 4~ years now so I'm forgetting the bascis.

 

[slayernine]

Did you test the hardware before assuming the problem was solely with the Windows installation?

 

[Harvey]

I'm not going to get a replacement disk. Too much effort on my behalf for something I'm doing as a favor. What I'm going to do is write zeros to the hard drive tonight and then reinstall windows from an OEM copy. I'll track down any drivers I need, that's easy, but I'm not going through this BS. I didn't think that it wouldn't have wiped the drive clean before installing Windows again. Though, I've worked solely with Mac's and Apple products for 4~ years now so I'm forgetting the bascis.

As one who has rebuilt Windows on HP machines both using a recovery disk or partition and doing a fresh installation with downloaded drivers, it's worth the $25 for the disk versus the time you'll spend downloading everything, and once you install it, the HP advisor software will find all current updates automatically.

Furthermore, the product key on the machine probably won't work with a generic version of Vista. If you still want to go to all the trouble of trying, you may as check to see if the machine is qualified for Win 7, which will probably improve everything. If that's what you want, along with the right drivers, check to see if the machine needs a BIOS update to be compatible with Win 7.