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Windows 7 "Reinstall/Refresh" using Advanced Recovery Method - USB Installation Media not being recognised

Anonymous
2016-06-19T09:25:34+00:00

HI All

I have a Lenovo Netbook (Lenovo S10-3) on which Iam trying to carry out a Windows 7 reinstall so that I can refresh the OS without wiping out all the programs and data. The Netbook does not have an optical drive.

I am using the second option under the Advanced Recovery Method (ARM) - "Reinstall windows (requires installation disc)

I have followed the steps outlined on this page to create a USB drive with the installation media.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/installing-windows-on-netbook#1TC=t1

The issue is that when I reach the recovery page, a dialogue box comes up with the following message:

Recovery

"Windows could not find required files. If you have a Windoes installation disc, click yes and you will be prompted to insert the disc later. If you have a recovery disc that came with your computer, check the manufacturers instructions for use."

If I click yes, it takes me to the restart prompt,  after restarting the System Recovery Options box comes up following by the Reinstall Windows dialogue box (message starts as - Are you sure you want to reinstall windows?).

This is then followed by the message "Windows could not find the files  needed to reinstall Windows. If you have a Windows installation disc, insert it into DVD drive and then click Yes. If you do not have a Windows installation disc, click No to restart the computer, or contact your System Administrator or computer manufacturer. If I click yes the next message is "No valid Windows Installation disc can be detected. Please insert a Windows Installation disc into the DVD drive and then click rety. If you do not have a Windows installation disc click cancel to restart the computer and contact your SA"

The USB media works fine if I try to run the installation process from within Windows 7 or set the boot option from flash.

It appears that the process is meant to be only run using the Optical Drive or the USB drive is not recognised as a valid installation disk.

I have also tried to use the steps outlined in the following thread to try and repair Windows 7.

I will appreciate some assistance with the issue.

Thanks

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-06-23T03:08:06+00:00

    Dear Ramesh

    Many thanks for your response.

    For Boot sequence I have altered the BIOS to ensure the netbook can boot from the USB.

    1. Why are you trying to reinstall Windows on your Notebook? Are you facing any issue?

    Yes; Two reasons for trying the reinstall:

    I have tried to install Win 10 however it is giving me a Second_Boot error; I have tried other steps listed on the support site including updates to no avail, so I thought doing an OS refresh would help. Due to the number of programs installed I dont want to do a clean install.

    Secondly the netbook could use a refresh of Win 7 to make it faster.

    1. If yes, what is the main issue which you are facing?refer 1.

    3. Do you have an installation media? If yes, from where you have created that?

    I have downloaded the media from the above Microsoft site and created the USB using the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool.

    The netbook has a built-in recovery software however Iam having issues using it. I have not done any changes to the partition. The problem (and solution posted here) however I have so far not been able to get hold of the PTEDIT32 zip utility to try it.

    https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-P-Y-and-Z-series/One-Key-Recovery-will-not-boot-into-recovery-system-y450/td-p/364019

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-06-26T11:12:19+00:00

    Hi,

    As per the issue description it seems that you are willing to upgrade your system to Windows 10.

    I would suggest you to refer the article mentioned below to upgrade your system to Windows 10.

    **Upgrade to Windows 10 for free**

    In addition to that I would suggest you to know the system requirementsand for that you may refer to the article mentioned below.

    **Before you install**

    You may also refer to the article mentioned below to for downloading Windows 10 on your computer.

    **Download Windows 10**

    Hope this would help. If issue still persists post back with current status of your computer and result of the proposed suggestion, we will be happy to assist you.

    Regards,

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-06-20T05:31:43+00:00

    Hi Rajesh Lal,

    I can imagine the inconvenience you are experiencing and will certainly help you in the right direction to fix the issue. However, I would appreciate if you could answer a few questions to narrow down the issue in order to provide you with better assistance.

    1. Why are you trying to reinstall Windows on your Notebook? Are you facing any issue?
    2. If yes, what is the main issue which you are facing?
    3. Do you have an installation media? If yes, from where you have created that?

    If you don't have any installation media, I would suggest you to refer the article mentioned below to create an installation media.

    Download Windows 7 Disc Images (ISO Files)

    I would suggest you to check the manual of your notebook or on the manufacturer's websiteto change the boot order. Please check that and see if USB is set as the first in priority list. 

    Do get back to us with all the information required. After creating installation media try to follow the steps provided in the article mentioned by you to perform repair on your computer.

    Regards,

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