Windows 7: expanding windows files (99%) ...

hi, im having trouble installing windows 7. i burnt the disc and started custom installation, and it copied all the windows files but then it got stuck on expanding windows files. it didnt freeze, it just didnt get past the last 1%. and the worst thing is i cant use the computer with vista anymore, because when i try to boot it up it opens up some kind of system restore that doesn't work. should i just leave the install screen on overnight? does the last 1% always hang for like 2 hours?

It might help to start over again after using diskpart commands to rezero the disk. The link below shows you how.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If you still have a Vista recovery partition then you might want to keep it so you have a path back to Vista, unless you made Vista Recovery disks.

If you decide to keep the Recov partition you can wipe just the install partition using free Partition Wizard bootable CD: Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

Where did you get Windows 7? Did you burn it yourself? You may need to burn another DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed.

Next remove all but 2gb of RAM to try install.