Maximum PC

My Win 7 Home Premium 64bit computer won't boot in either normal or in safe mode. I could do a clean install but I'll lose several registered/authorized programs (i.e. Premiere Elements 10, Itunes, etc.)

Is there a way to install Win. 7 on top of the current installation so I can get the machine running long enough to deregister/deauthorize those programs and then do a clean install?

Thanks.

You can do a repair install (it's an option on the install cd). If I remember right, all of your data and programs will be there and useable after a repair install (you should probably confirm this).

I've tried that and it won't let me.

Does not boot to the cd, or just won't complete the repair install?

Did you change anything on the system that may have caused this?

It will boot to the DVD, but won't complete the repair.

I'd installed an additional 4GB RAM (identical matching to the original 4GB already in the machine) the night before. Then used the computer for several hours with no problems. The computer then crashed the next morning.

I've done a memory test on all RAM.

Yes, but it requires another machine or hard drive.

• Another machine approach: Get partitioning software (I recommend Partition Wizard) and section off enough free space (About 40-60GB) and install windows on that partition
• Another hard drive: Just install Windows on that

Keep in mind that all of your activated programs and settings won't work until you either reactivate and reconfigure them. You might be able to save the settings, but activation is another matter.

EDIT: Actually yeah, that doesn't solve your problem. If you can't get into the Windows install those programs were activated on, you can't deactivate them.

I guess the question is: When booting from the installation DVD does Windows 7 allow you to install on top of an existing installation (like Win. XP does I remember)? And if the MS Win 7 DVD won't let me is there a way to make it happen?

Even if there is a way, your programs aren't can't be deactivated, because they're activated on the installation that's bad. i.e., they're tied to that installation (probably through the registry or something).