9800GTX + Windows 7 clean install = fail

Hey guys. Prepare for a bit of a confusing post - I'm know to not make much sense sometimes ...

Up until about a week ago my computer was happily running along until all of a sudden - POW! A good chunk of my games no longer launch. This happened to me back in the W7 beta and it was only (partially) solved when I formatted and did a clean install of the retail version. Now that it is happening again I'm just like "screw it - format now and not waste 2 months trying to fix it.

Issue seems to be:
Can't update GFX drivers (Tried Driver Sweeper etc. Doesn't make a difference)
Can't launch a good deal of my games (most of them the affected ones use OpenGL

If I could fix that, it would save me formatting but last time I scoured the internet far and wide to try and fix it to no avail.

"But", you say, "just format and be done with it!"
In steps the next problem...
The install begins fine, it extracts all the files and gets to the first reboot. After about 3-5 mins of it progressing through the final stages of the install the screen goes blank and nothing happens (HDD and disk drive both idle even after 30 mins). Presumable its installing the graphics card driver.
I had this same problem last time (From beta to retail) and I did find a solution which I can't remember exactly.
I was certain it was from these forums (Which is why I'm posting here) but after a good search of these forums and the rest of the general internet I couldn't find the same instructions. Incase it rings any bells with anyone, it involved something like so:

Do the first stage of the install
At the first reboot enter safe mode
Shift+F10 to open command prompt
Open device manager and remove graphics card driver (or disable card)
Reboot and continue install

The only problem I ran into this time is that it wasn't loading into safe mode (it got up to loading disk.sys, the second last file it normally loads, and stops there) unless I first continue the install up to the point where where the screen goes blank, but then after I disable the card and boot normally to continue the install it says it encountered an error and makes me start it over


If anyone has a solution to the main problem, you're awesome. If you can tell me the sequence of commands to run during the install you're just as awesome.

tl;dr: Can't update/install graphics card drivers normally or during during W7 install.

Are you trying a clean installation? As in delete all partition and install from there. Let windows do the formatting.

Ya. I'm deleting the partitions and re-making them.

CameronDeW said:

Ya. I'm deleting the partitions and re-making them.

If you are installing 7, you can delete the partition during the setup and leave it at that (dont create a new one, just click next). Thats the cleanest way i kno

I have the exact same graphics card and the exact same symptoms on a clean install. Have started the clean install process upwards of five times and I have fully deleted and remade partitions, the whole shabang. This is off a new windows7 DVD, not one I burned myself. Will be watching this thread with interest. I'm going to try a different g card in a couple of days when I have access to it.

Once you get a clean install that works, the modern Win7 way is to save a Backup Image so you never have to reinstall again - just reimage from file and DVD/Repair CD in 15 minutes to best working install.

Are you googling repeat error text and ID#'s from Event Viewer>Admin view and Performance - Diagnostics logs? These will log important errors. Access P-D log by clicking WEI score at Computer>Properties, then Advanced Tools. Look for cued issues at top of Tools page, Generate a System Health Report.

If you narrow prob down to driver (e.g. display), try all Win7 drivers then Vista drivers including in Compatibility Mode: Compatibility Mode

None of that helps unfortunately because it requires us to be able to get into windows. We're stuck in the middle of the install, before any of that stuff becomes available.

Try reinstalling the graphics card. If it installed before but then malfunctions, it is likely still malfunctioning during drivers-loading phase as you suspect. Make sure card is outputted to VGA monitor with no other video devices as blinking cursor can mean a projector or tv card has loaded.

Default to onboard graphics in BIOS if available. If not, borrow or buy-to-try another card to reinstall.

Wipe the HD using tutorial Barefoot posted so you have the cleanest possible slate.

Make sure you have latest BIOS version update, try SATA controller set to AHCI first, then IDE if necessary.

Test your RAM using memtest86 overnight for stress testing. Reseat your RAM, remove all but 2gb for install.

Test your HD using maker's full diag/repair CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp. Then run Disk Check