Windows 7: pc wont boot from cd or HDD

ok so here is my problem, im fixing a pc and never run into this problem. I believe the HDD went bad, although when i ran a bootable cd, for the virus scan.. the virus scan worked, so than obviously the HDD is still readable, but does not boot up.... yes the boot order is correct. So when i go in and put a Windows 7 installation cd in, so i can go to repair and do a system restore.... it boots from the cd but than stops, the console doesnt show up. I put a new HDD in the laptop and it boots from that.... im so confused. any ideas?

it makes me wounder if the MBR got messed up somehow, but how do i fix that if i cant get into the windows 7 bootable cd, repair console?

I would clean the DVD disk & DVD drive. Also you may need to replace the DVD drive.

What part of PA....anywhere near Philly?

It sounds like you did narrow it down to the DVD drive or disc. If it booted the new hard drive, then I'd start considering a different disc, or a slower burn of the Windows 7 disc. You also mentioned is booted from a AV disc, so that's an encouraging sign that it might just be the Windows 7 disc.

yes near philly, limrick pa, about 25 minutes away.....

it cant be the disk drive, since the av booted up (3 diffrent ones)

i tried several OS disks, (Windows 7 pro, Windows 7 home, and vista) all same thing, it loads the files, and gets to the graphical screen but does not load the console (with the options like cmd prompt, system restore etc....) it does though give the option to install...mabye ill use the pro cd, and see if i can upgrade it to pro... im scratching my head, this is so wierd...

this leads me to a question, from my understanding, when booting from a disk. that the pc runs of the Ram, and nothing to do with the hard drive, although when i had the other hard drive put in there, the bootable disk booted up fine, which is causing me to scratch my head more lol

I was born in Pottstown, and now I live just outside of Philly by the airport. I head up your way a lot to the Wegman's off 422.

Anyway, just for laughs, you could test the memory out with a Memtest boot disc. It is possible that the AV disc was minimal, where as OS discs scan and use more of the memory.

yeah that place is 5 minutes from where i work now, they got some good food!

mem test 86 it is

Hi

I've had this problem myself some time ago. Try discounnecting your hard drive and see if the install gets passed the point where it freezes. I think the install tries to access the hard drive and if it's damaged it can halt the installation. This will at least indicate if you need to replace the HDD.

Regards
UKMedia

hmm thats very interesting theory, ill give that ago after them mem86 test finishes (so far its passing)

thanks guys for all the comments so far

ok booting up, to the bottable Windows 7 disk was much faster, and it went right to the console i wanted..... so this means the hard drive is bad correct? not just the MBR like i orginally assumed?

Yep sounds like it

Regards
UKMedia

yeah, replaced the HDD, that was the problem...thanks for the brainstorming guys...i appreciate it