New
#1
Can't get past "Preparing Windows for First time Use"
Hey Everyone,
I was trying to do a clean install on a Dell Inspiron 545MT (with a samsung hd642jj drive) and initially formatted the system partition (NOT the recovery partition) and then tried to do a fresh install.
Now, everything goes smoothly, all files are copied properly and everything.
After all the setup goes correctly, you should technically see image 17 (please ref to link):
Windows 7 Install Guide Page 4
The inspiron does all the installation steps perfectly fine up until image 16, and after it says "Starting Windows" the screen goes blank and the computer just ... sort of ... stays idle and nothing goes beyond that!
I've done a hardware diagnostics test and the hard drive passed all the tests, and I've tried installation with 2 different installation discs, but to no avail.
The only solution I thought of was to purchase another hard drive (and sorry, is that Samsung a SATA II or a SATA I? I don't know!) and then try installing it there.
I know the Windows files are installed properly (checked with Ubuntu), but for some reason, Windows 7 will just not boot!
PLEASE help me with alternative solutions!
Thank you so much!
PS I know some posts have complained about USB devices and video cards,
for reference, the system has a ATI Radeon HD 4350, and the only USB devices that are on the computer are the keyboard and mouse.