Al Drake wrote:

Ok, so do I never get online and not allow all the updates it says it
needs? What if it was one of those that caused this problem? I really
hate those to begin with as to really do it right one needs to look over
every one and refuse many that have no significance. So many....

I have an SSD with a bare bones install as a back up from another
machine. One where everything works. Just no applications installed.
Maybe I could use ATI 2014 to get it onto this system and change keys
and activate if necessary. Then move on from that point and add apps.

I was attempting to describe a test procedure with minimal
side effects. I don't particularly want to activate OSes with
keys, to the point of ****ing off the activation server.
That's why, for a quick and dirty installation test, I
disconnect the LAN.

If there were a patch of some sort for Windows 7, it
would be more likely to be in the "optional" part of
Windows Update, rather than the security patches. With
your existing OS installation, visit Windows update, and
assuming you never bother with the optional ones,
you'd have all the KB numbers for them. Perhaps they
can be downloaded separately and put on a USB stick for
later, for example.

Be creative. You have all the materials needed.

Paul