Windows 7: Unusually long installation time at certain points

Ok guys, I've installed operating systems hundreds (if not, thousands) of times. I've installed Windows 7 at least 75 times.... this is the first time I've ever run into this problem.

I put the usb drive in to install > setup loads files > brings up blue install screen > HUGE wait time, 5 minutes > Brings up install screen >next> install> HUGE wait time.... 10-15 minutes > next> next> partition HD blah blah> installs quickly> reboots two times while doing various things > gets to "Preparing your computer for its first whatever" HUGE wait time... like I waited 3 hours... then went to bed. This morning.. it's ready.

Now, of course, when I first experienced these wait times, I never waited. I tried installing from a cd, I tried downloading a different cd to install from, I removed hard drives and tried to install on a different one, I tested the cpu, ram, hd's, usb drive, cds, usb ports, cd rom.... I just can't figure out what the hell took it so long.



I've installed Windows 7 on this computer before, and this never happened. Can anyone think of anything that happens at those three steps (initial blue screen with NOTHING on it except the Windows 7 background, after you click "install windows", and during preparing for first boot) that might cause such a problem?

Try removing all but 2gb of RAM to see if same thing happens.

Tried that... didn't work.... not to mention that if I had 4gb sticks, that wouldn't be an option

this whole thing is pretty weird... it hangs at those steps, but everywhere else it is fine... install didn't take a long time... doesn't run slow in windows... I just don't know what it is trying to do at those three steps that it is having such a problem with

edit: just tried removing all unnecessary hardware, updated the bios for shits and giggles, and no luck. This just has to be a hardware issue, but now I am really down to the cpu/mobo... else the video card, but that's doubtful

How large a partition are you trying to do the installation to?


If it's a new 1 or 2TB HDD create a single 100GB partition and see if it does any better installing to that; have a look at this info below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

The hard drive in question is 250gb. Like I said, this happens before I even get to the step where I choose a hard drive.

Is the HDD in good working order still? Kinda doubt this, but maybe the HDD is starting to give out?

What hardware tests exactly did you run?

HD Diagnostic
RAM - Test with Memtest86+

I used a free memory tester, I forget which. I used HDDScan for the hard drive. I used Prime95 for cpu... I ran sisandra benchmarks on everything for shits and giggles. Everything did fine and all the benchmarks came out matching their documented specs.

I tested multiple hard drives, multiple copies of 7, two USB drives and one DVD. I removed all unnecessary hardware (useless sticks of ram, hard drives, raid controller, sound card), I updated the bios JIC.... i might have done other things that I forgot. I am running passmarks burn in test right now... when I wake up, I'll stop it.

I can promise it's not the hard drive, usb drive, copy of windows. I'm pretty sure it's not the ram. hopefully, I'll have something to go on when I wake up...

edit: wow... passmarks test took 15 minutes... wtf? Running sandra continuous burn in test until I wake up. GPUs at 95 degrees at the beginning of the test... that can't be good... but I did have a blanket over the computer (don't ask why).

update... burn in test running for about 8 hours... no issues... the gpu temp went down after I took off the blanket

so now what? I don't understand what's going on. Does anyone know if there is anything done at those 3 steps that is common to all of them?

What's the matter, was the PC cold?