Windows 7: Strange Hardware Installation Issue

Hi everyone. I'm just throwing this one out there to see if maybe someone has a clue. One of my systems is having some serious issues installing Windows 7. I'm pretty much convinced that it's a hardware issue, but I've been unable to diagnose it thus far.

ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego
500GB WD Caviar
Nvidia 7800GT
2GB G.Skill DDR
Memorex DVD Burner

When I go to install Windows 7, after the disc loads the setup files, it just hangs. It just seems to freeze. I know the disc is a good disc because I have verified the integrity of the data and have used this disc to install Windows 7 on a few other systems without issue. My first reaction was that it was a DVD Burner issue. I swapped it out for another one, but same problem.



I then installed Ubuntu onto a USB drive and attempted to install Ubuntu from it. Not because I wanted Ubuntu on there, but because I wanted to make 100% certain that it wasn't a DVD burner issue. Same problem. When Ubuntu gets to the install screen, the system freezes.

I then downloaded Western Digital's diagnostics program to check and see if there was a problem with the hard drive. It passed with flying colors. I've tested the RAM with memtest. No problems. I'm just not really sure what the problem is. I've tried several different DVD's in the drive and they work in a Windows environment, but if I attempt to install an OS at startup, it hangs. This has happened with XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Ubuntu (I tried all 4 just to see what would happen).

Anyone have a clue what I may be missing?

I had a problem installing the 32bit RC on a friend's XP system when the dvd burned as well as the GParted live cd for seeing the XP primary resized refused to go past a certail point as well. From there I used a usb key made for GParted in order to get that part done as well as a usb key made up for the RC. XP/7 now running together.

Later when going back to boot from the RC dvd again but canceling the installation out with 7 already on the dvd drive worked like a champ! That would be a thought for you there if you have one, an external usb drive or second partition for mounting the iso?

ok, the only way to remove the doubt of the burning issue, is to not use the burning method

Before you do that though, try taking out a stick of RAM, and then switching it with the other, and try both setups to see if the problem repros.

If that doesen't turn out to be the problem, try a USB installation, (google skills, sorry, no links handy) after of course, re-downloading it.

Let us know the results of the above 2,

Thanks,
Daniel

Another thought on this would be taking a look in the bios to see if the onboard sata/Raid controllers are turned on. Also go into the boot section and click on the hard drives item to see if the drive is set as first at the top of the list making it the default boot device. Often when having an external drive plugged in the default or first drive is offset.