Windows 7 Installation Freezes On My New Build

My Windows 7 installation freezes every time at the "starting windows" screen right after the little orbs come together to form the windows logo. I have let it sit there for hours and nothing changes. I am doing a fresh installation on a new build.

It seems I have literally tired everything to get this to work (changing bios settings, unplugging unessential usb connections, etc.). When I boot in safe mode the installation gets further along to the "windows is configuring your computer for first time use" but eventually just leads to an error saying that setup cannot finish in safe mode and requires a reboot.

My guess is that maybe this is some sort of driver issue? I have no way of installing any drivers though if I cant even get the OS to install. I am getting extremely frustrated with this and I am amazed that its not working. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

specs:
motherboard: msi p55m-gd41
graphics card: Nvidia GTS 250 512MB
2 x 1GB DDR3
Intel i3 530
250GB Maxtor HD

Can you install another OS you have on hand? Let's see if this is Win7 specific.

Does it get to the Copying Files stage? There are several restarts with the boot animation during install.

I can install XP. Although I cant seem to get much going with it because its unable to set up a network and connect to the internet for some reason. Vista has the same exact problem is Windows 7

If i boot up in safe mode i can install up to the first restart, then it hangs at the "starting windows" part every time after that in both vista and 7

Where did you get Win7? If you burned the DVD yourself, you may need to burn it again using ImgBurn at 4x speed which never fails. Or try writiing ISO to flash stick: USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create then boot flash using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key.

Make sure you have the latest BIOS version update, set the SATA controller to AHCI to start, then IDE if neccessary.

Test your RAM with memtest86 for 5-6 passes, reseat your RAM.

Test your HD using maker's full diag/repair scan.

Try installing your video card driver and mobo/SATA drivers at the Load Drivers prompt located where you choose where to install Windows.

Thanks for the suggestions! I will try those tomorrow after work and get back to you with the results.

32 or 64bit?

Have you set correct date and double checked settings in the bios eg enable certain stuff for processor/graphics/correct memory timings?

Double check all jumpers/leads on motherboard & don't trust just the manual - they are often wrong!

Have you 'formatted' the hard drive?

- tested the memory and it was fine

- tried setting it to AHCI

- cleared my entire HDD and reformatted via this link: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

- began install off of disk (tried putting in driver disk for motherboard / video card at load driver prompt but it said it didnt find any drivers to install)

- continued with install, and after the first restart windows 7 freezes STILL at the "starting windows" screen


I am really beginning to give up on this. Considering returning everything to the store and forgetting the whole desktop thing altogether. Ive dumped too much money into this for it not to work! someone please help me out.

Try clearing the CMOS: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/tp/clearcmos.htm

Can you try booting into Safe Mode to install video driver? Or try another video card or onboard video?

Test your HD: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287


Can you move your HD to another machine to install then move back to problem machine? I often do this when I have no more time to troubleshoot install failures - every one is different and it can really be anything.

About half of the time the HD will start up when moved back, another quarter of the times it can be started by booting into Safe Mode to install mobo and video drivers.

Tried clearing the CMOS and setting the bios to defaults

I was in safe mode before when i tried the install and the drivers (the install didnt pick up any drivers when i put in the disks)

I already had a friend of mine try installing windows onto my hard drive from his machine since i dont have access to another one and i got the same result

tried putting my old video card in and it still froze at the same starting windows screen when i booted up

You cannot install in Safe Mode to my knowledge.

Drivers have to be unzipped and browsed to within their folders to be picked up.

Can you try install from XP to see what happens?