Windows 7: Windows 7 (and any OS) install Problems

So one day I came home from work and my computer that was on when i left work was at a Bios Post screen saying there was a change and to press F2 to Setup or F1 to continue.

I pressed F2 made sure everything looked ok and went on. Then the OS wouldnt load tried it a couple times and it loaded but gave a bunch of errors while loading.

I thought maybe some stuff just got corrupted so I cleared the hard drive with some Linux tools and checked the drive for errors.

I then tried to reinstall the OS just to start clean, and I got errors installing vista (dirty disc/files missing from disk) this was a retail disc that I had bought and worked before
Then tried windows 7 Release Client, got similar errors of dirty disc or files missing, this is a file I had just downloaded and verified.
Then tried Ubunut, got similar errors of dirty disc / IO errors

I thought it might be the CD drive so i switched it with another I had laying around - Same Errors.

I thought it might be the hard drive at that point, so i went and bought a new one - Same errors.

I thought it might be the Sata cable so i bought a new one - same errors

Tried installing from USB instead of physical media - Same errors

I have also tried removing a stick of memory and get the same error.

I am at a loss besides replacing the motherboard but it seems weird to me that the motherboard would work one day and then the next day it doesnt work for installing an OS but still boots up and doesnt give any POST errors.



Any ideas???

have you tried clearing the CMOS? by shorting the pins on the mainboard or removing the battery for 20 seconds.

I haven't tried that, I did try flashing/upgrading the BIOS, would that achieve the same thing?

Not exactly (at least I think...). Try clearing the CMOS anyways (can't furt...)

Ok, I will give that a try, this has been the most difficult problem I have ever faced with a computer. It is so hard having an issue that you can't track down.

MxPx

What about bios upgrade, or bios settings like max cpu, max ram, legacy floppy support?

I really dont think its mobo, more liketly something corrupted by something (like windows upgrade).

Hope this helps

Ken

I already did a BIOS update, and I haven't changed anything in the BIOS recently.

I don't think it is a corrupted windows install because I have zeroed out the drive and when that didn't work I bought a brand new drive and still got the same errors.

is the drive internal or external?
K

It is an Internal Sata Drive. One was/is a seagate 500Gb and the other is a Western Digital 500Gb

Flashing the BIOs with the most current stable for your M/B, you should have selected to reset to the default settings right after the update. That would accomplish the same thing as clearing the BIOS by the pin method or by removing the battery (and power cable) for 10 seconds, except then you have a new BIOS with bug fixes and more features, hopefully. Try the default or safest settings first, later you can tweek it.

Do you have a live CD or DVD with a memory testing utility? There are all kinds. Even the 7 DVD will test your memory. Check with the manufacturer to see just exactly what memory they reccommend for their M/B? Memory is cheaper than a M/B.

If this still hasn't helped, most likely candidate is the M/B (ouch!). It sounds like the data is being corrupted as it passes through the data buss, which is the M/B.