OK, I want to do a fresh install of Windows 7 on a new (to me) computer.
After spending many hours over the span of a few days with failed attempts, I finally discovered the problem. My retail DVD has aged, it is only about 6 years old but there are now spots that are not readable.
Solution? download from MS!
You do need your product key to start the actual download... but you archived that didn't you? (I did)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
W8 and W10 are over here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download
PS: once I get my fresh copy I will archive a few copies for future use on various mediums.
*** got valuable stuff on DVDs or CDs? they don't have near the life expectancy that was originally thought, copy it off Today!
PPS: MS is behind the times and they don't use torrents, so the direct download will probably take forever, and may have errors. groan.
