Windows 7: Error when trying to boot install disc

Hi. I don't have much experience with computers, and have never tried installing a new OS before, so please bear with me.

I recently downloaded a copy of Windows 7 Professional 64 bit through MSDN, burned the iso to a dvd using ImgBurn (Auto write speed) and then attempted to boot the disc.

The computer tries to load the files off the disc, and then this error pops up:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause.

File: \window\system32\boot\winload.exe
status: 0xc0000001
info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt.


I checked the file location, and the file was there. I decided to do a factory image restore (probably stupid of me) since I had already backed up all my files and was planning on doing a clean install of 7 anyway.

I then tried the boot again, but got the same error, even though I was under the impression that factory restore would fix any corrupted system files. Since, for all intents and purposes, my computer is "new", and there's nothing on it now except for what came with it, I'm at a loss as to what could be causing the problem.

I have a Dell Inspiron 1720, running Vista 32 bit Home Premium. Intel Core Duo processor, 2.4 GHz.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to SF

First may I ask for you to fill in your system specs (to the best of your ability, User CP-> Edit System Specs)

Second I would also reccomend for you to reburn the ISO at the lowest speed possible

Welcome FortySixand2,

Is you computer x64 capable ? as you say you DL'ed the X64 iso. Best to burn at 4x speed for best results on install.

We really could use more detailed specs on your equipment.

Thanks for the quick replies.

I'm not too sure what it is you guys are looking for (I really don't know too much about system specs), but I pulled up System Information and it says my System Type is X86-Based.

X86 equals 32bit, right? Does that mean my computer is only capable of running 32bit? Because I did a little research before downloading 7 and I thought I read that you can upgrade from 32bit Vista to 64bit 7 if you do a clean install.

But I guess that's only if you have an X64-Based system?

Do you happen to know what your processor is?

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T8300 @ 2.40GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.4GHz

Thats a nice CPU (mine barely tops it)...I have a T9300 and might I say that the T8 series and above is a 5 star CPU by intel's rating

...anyhow you can definitely run 64-bit on it...try to reburn the ISO and see if it fixes it...if not redownload the image and reburn it

Now what about your memory, hard drive, graphics card, and DVD drive

..if said above solution doesn't work

Memory: 3582MB RAM
HD: Samsung HM320JI (285GB)
DVDdrive: TSSTCorp DVD+-RW TS-L632H ATA
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT


Unfortunately I don't have the ISO anymore (didn't think to back it up before I reset to factory defaults) so I'm currently redownloading. I'll burn the dvd at a slower speed and try again.

It will take a long time to download though. I'm using the campus supplied internet and its really, really slow (I'd say no more than 60kbps at best).

If you guys can think of anything else for me to try between then and now with the disc I've already burnt, please let me know, otherwise I'll get back to you with the results once I've tried the new download.

Thanks a bunch.

Try to extract the ISO (copy the dvd you burnt) and re burn the Image (you can use image burn for all this) at slow speed. When installing are you trying to upgrade your OS? Because AFAIK you cannot upgrade from x86 to x64 you need to do a clean install i.e. on a formatted (and empty) drive.

If you are formatting please back up your data first.