Windows 7 Repair

vorticalspace · 1 Sep 2010 at 13:52

Hi
Having afew issues with Nvidia drivers / installers etc
Rather than do a fresh install & lose all settings, what are the benefits of doing a repair/update install.
I realise that it will keep most settings/data programs etc although may need to install certain drivers.
Will this method effectively repair/update any issues that are identified with the original installation.

Thanks

J.B · 1 Sep 2010 at 13:57

What are the problems you are having with the Nvidia drivers?

A repair will normally only pick up on problems with Windows itself not things like drivers.

SiriusB · 1 Sep 2010 at 13:57

A repair install replaces system files while keeping user data intact. However you really ought to backup anything important just in case.

I have been told that the repair install does not necessarily correct registry problems, so there is a chance any issues you have now may not be fixed. A repair is generally used in cases where the OS is virtually unusable, not as a means for fixing minor problems.

Admiral Huddy · 1 Sep 2010 at 14:00

Did you run DriverSweeper between uninstalling and installing your new drivers?

thedoc46 · 1 Sep 2010 at 14:01

Your best bet is to start all over, get everything in ship shape then make a complete image using the integrated Windows 7 backup utility.

Repair will fix missing boot files, and missing files, but you are unlikely to fix a corrupt registry, which sounds like the problems you are facing.

vorticalspace · 1 Sep 2010 at 14:03

Hi
as posted else where, i am having specific problems correctly installing any Nvidia driver later than 182.42 (March 09)
newer drivers will either install without control panel / physx or not at all.
Also get certain problems with installers not working correctly.
Also unable to install Microsoft security essentials.

In general, system is very stable but specifically with the Nvidia drivers in mind, I am looking to upgrade to a GTX480 but existing drivers wont recognise card etc.

vorticalspace · 1 Sep 2010 at 14:09

Admiral Huddy said:
Did you run DriverSweeper between uninstalling and installing your new drivers?

I've tried driver cleaner and simply updating the drivers.
No difference.
Spent ages last night trying to install the latest WHQL Nvidia drivers but simply will not install control panel.
Tried installing control panel exe from driver folder but still no joy.
As stated, the exisitng 182.42 driver install faultlessly.
I think that in the later drivers (185.XX onwards), the control panel changed and for some reason my version of Window 7 64 is not happy.
I can run the 195.XX drivers but with no control panel/physx

thedoc46 · 1 Sep 2010 at 14:43

vorticalspace said:
Hi
as posted else where, i am having specific problems correctly installing any Nvidia driver later than 182.42 (March 09)
newer drivers will either install without control panel / physx or not at all.
Also get certain problems with installers not working correctly.
Also unable to install Microsoft security essentials.

In general, system is very stable but specifically with the Nvidia drivers in mind, I am looking to upgrade to a GTX480 but existing drivers wont recognise card etc.

I can tell you now, any more time wasted trying to fix is exactly that.. Time wasted.. Get on with a fresh clean install the quicker the better.

So you don't get in the same rut at a later date, make an image once everything is setup and configured to the way you like.

vorticalspace · 1 Sep 2010 at 14:57

thedoc46 said:
I can tell you now, any more time wasted trying to fix is exactly that.. Time wasted.. Get on with a fresh clean install the quicker the better.

So you don't get in the same rut at a later date, make an image once everything is setup and configured to the way you like.

I think you are right
Still keen to try a repair install prior to a fresh wipe.
Nothing ventured..............

Thanks

vorticalspace · 2 Sep 2010 at 22:52

UPDATE

Well, I did a repair install and.............................

It worked
Installed latest Nvidia via optional update with no problems.
Control panel now working + latest Physx etc
Suffice to say I was well chuffed.

Next, tried Microsoft security Essentials and bingo, worked like a dream.
Even more chuffed, if that was possible

I can feel a new Graphics card purchase coming on

Having given this some thought, i'm now wondering whether on of the important windows updates previously screwed my installation.
Upon completion of the repair installation, i had 33 important updates waiting to be installed. Suffice to say I havn't installed any yet.

With this in mind, are there any specific updates that are known to be dodgy and may cause the problems I have been experiencing?

In closing, i'm well happy