please don't laugh...

mypcbroke said:

gregrocker said:

I would Create & Format install partition Primary (not Logical) NTFS using PW CD, then Modify>Set to Active. Now try install to partition you've created.

If given the option by PW, what size should I make the partitions? Because with Windows install I was guessing...

If you've already wiped the drive again, then boot PW CD, rightclick on empty drive space, Create New partition of whatever size you want (say 100gb), make it NTFS Primary, labeled Win7, Letter C, OK.

Then rightclick on the new Partition to Modify>Set to Active, OK, Apply.

Next rightclick on the new partition>Check File System, Apply.

Now boot the installer to try install to the partition you formatted.

There are other troubleshooting steps in my previous post.

I got "Windows could not set the offline locale information. Error code: 0x80FE0000" again.
I swear, it went through the whole installation process two days ago (but it wouldn't boot). What am I doing wrong?

It just happened again?

What did you do to prepare for the installation this last time?

Need to try install with NTFS Primary formatted partition marked Active.

You'll need to test your HD next. What model is it?

Meanwhile, boot the DVD, press Shift F10 to open a Command Line and run commands given here for Disk Check

We will try everything known to get it installed, but at some point you can decide to run your Vista Recov Disks, then try to either launch a Win7 clean install from Vista or do an in-place Upgrade. You may need a BIOS upgrade which needs to be done from Vista.

gregrocker said:

It just happened again?

What did you do to prepare for the installation this last time?

Need to try install with NTFS Primary formatted partition marked Active.

You'll need to test your HD next. What model is it?

Meanwhile, boot the DVD, press Shift F10 to open a Command Line and run commands given here for Disk Check

We will try everything known to get it installed, but at some point you can decide to run your Vista Recov Disks, then try to either launch a Win7 clean install from Vista or do an in-place Upgrade.

I wiped disk, then followed the steps you previously gave me (except for testing the HD, I seem to have glossed over that from the distraction in my apartment). Then install... ok, so my fault. How do I test my HD?

Also, I booted PW again and it now has "397.41 MB" used for my Primary Active NTFS partition. Is that ok? Or am I going to have to do something to that before hand?

And my HD I think is this:
IDE0 Model Name: WDC WD3200BEVT-22ZCT0

mypcbroke said:

1. Date and time is set correctly on the BIOS.
yes
Make sure the time in BIOS setup holds correctly through restarts as it could be a flat CMOS battery.

2. You also need to set the bios to boot disk 1, instead of the required disk 0. You may contact your computer manufactuerer for making any changes to the BIOS.
Only IDE0 is populated, IDE1 isn't...
This fix given by MS to boot from IDE1 may require moving the HD to IDE1 port on mobo. Can you do that?

Researching the error now. Need some hardware experts on this.

2. You also need to set the bios to boot disk 1, instead of the required disk 0. You may contact your computer manufactuerer for making any changes to the BIOS.
Only IDE0 is populated, IDE1 isn't...
This fix given by MS to boot from IDE1 may require moving the HD to IDE1 port on mobo. Can you do that?

No... I'm assuming mobo=mother board
And no as in, I have no idea what you're saying

Download and burn to CD the ISO of Data Lifeguard diagnostics: WD Support > Downloads > WD Scorpio & AV-25 > WD Scorpio Blue


Run full scan followed by Disk Check from Win7 DVD Command Line. Or in PW CD rightclick Partition you made to Check File System.

How so, Doc?

I would try pre-formatting using PW CD to NTFS Primary marked Active. WHile in PW rightclick to Check File System. Then try install.

Next I would run the HD diag/repair CD, then boot installer, delete partitioning using Custom>Drive options and install to the unallocated space letting installer auto-partition and -format.

There are many suggestions which have not been tried yet so I'll let you catch up trying them all and standby if you have any questions.