New PC Build, Windows 7 doesn't want to install

gregrocker said:

Did it successfully complete the Clean command first?

If so run it again, try just the format command. If it fails close the Command Box and click Install Now to see if you can begin the install since by completing Clean you've definitely cleared the formatting.

You can create and format your partitions using Drive options shown in Step 7 of Clean Install Windows 7 or just click Next and the installer will create and format for you to begin install.

If the fails test the HD with the tool Alan linked. Burn the DOS ISO download to CD using Windows Image Burner, boot it to run Extended Scan.

Yes, the Clean command was completed successfully.

I tried the format command but it says I need to select a disk.

I enter 'SEL DISK 0' and it says

'The disk you specified is not valid. There is no disk selected.'

I enter 'LIST DISK' and it says

'There are no fixed disks to show.'

I click Install now, and I get to where the disks are supposed to be listed, but it's blank. Why is this? Is this a problem? How do I fix it?

I'd run the HD Diagnostic extended CD scan for your make HD. Your drive may be failing.

I'd also check or change the cables.

You can plug the HD into another PC to see if it's seen, even run the diagnostics from there.

Try another HD to be sure.

Layback Bear said:

I can't find the answer to these questions from Greg post #5.

Where did you get Windows 7? How is it burned to DVD or written to flash stick installer? How do you plan to activate it?

I have an untouched copy burned to DVD. I can vouch for it because I've used the same exact DVD to install Win 7 on the computer I'm currently on and it works perfectly. I keep thinking this is a hard drive problem.

I am limiting myself to running the WD Diagnostic for DOS. It is not an ISO file but a DOS executable to be run on DOS.

Download the dlgdiag_5_20.zip. from http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=613&sid=2&lang=en


To create your DOS bootable flash drive, download the latest version of Rufus from http://rufus.akeo.ie/ and run.

Select your flash drive, give it a distinct Volume Label, say MSDOS, select MSDOS with the dropdown arrow in “Create a bootable disk using” and click on Start. On completion Close it.




Extract the contents of the dlgdiag_5_20.zip directly into the DOS flash drive or extract to a folder and move the extracts to the DOS flash drive.


At the end of it your bootable flash drive should have the contents as shown below.





You are now ready to run the Diagnostics.


Invoke the onetime boot menu and boot from this flash drive or change your boot order in your Bios to boot from the flash drive first.


At the DOS prompt type dlgdiag5.exe and press ENTER to run the program.

Alright, update.

I can successfully enter the dlgdiag5.exe diagnostic system, doesn't matter if I select quick test, or extended test, after it runs for a bit, I get this;



After hitting 'any key';



After hitting CTRL-ALT-DELETE, the computer restarts, Mobo logo, then this;



At which point I again hit CTRL-ALT-DELETE, and it goes into a 'BOOTMGR is missing' reboot loop.

Don't know what to do at this point.

I'd get a second opinion from Seagate Seatools ISO written using Windows Image Burner to CD, or free Partition Wizard bootable CD Partition Wizard Partition surface test.

If you can pull the HD and put it in another PC you can run the Windows version of WD Data Lifeguard.

You can also burn Data Lifeguard to a CD which might work better to knock off the Extended Test this time: Western Digital Data Lifeguard CD ISO (extract first)

gregrocker said:

I'd get a second opinion from Seagate Seatools ISO written using Windows Image Burner to CD, or free Partition Wizard bootable CD Partition Wizard Partition surface test.

If you can pull the HD and put it in another PC you can run the Windows version of WD Data Lifeguard.

You can also burn Data Lifeguard to a CD which might work better to knock off the Extended Test this time: Western Digital Data Lifeguard CD ISO (extract first)

I was able to put it into this PC and am running WD Data Lifeguard. The quick test failed abruptly within ~10 seconds due to an error, then it shows a red X and 'FAIL' right next to 'Quick test'. The extended test seems to take way too long for me, as I'm writing this it's at '20 hours remaining'. Edit: Down to 13 hours. Still quite some time.

Oh, and Windows Explorer shows the drive, 'D:' as only 100GB, probably due to me making a 100GB partition as some other attempt at solving the problem earlier.

I always run the maker's Diagnostics followed by Disk Check, if necessary from the Win7 command line as shown in Option 2. Either test repeatedly failing really means the drive is unsalvageable. Most would not trust it even if repaired.