Clean Win7 Installation on SSD stuck at cmd-prompt

Hi all,

I made a thorough search through this and other forums, but I couldn't find a solution to my problem.
I have received a new Lenovo T520 Laptop with a 128GB SSD. I wanted to replace it with a Samsung 830 256GB SSD. First I tried to mirror the SSD with Norton Ghost, but I was not succesful, maybe due to the partitioning.

So I said: why not make a clean installation with not data-waste at all. But that is where the real trouble started:

I've changed the boot order and everything I can think of, so the original Win7 HP 64 DVD ist starting. It states 'Windows Files Loading' and everything, it even hits the loading bar on the bottom with the green stripes moving. But instead of presenting me the 'choose language' screen, I am prompted to the
Administrator: X:\windows\system32\cmd.exe

From here on I have no idea what to do : have I missed something? The Laptop was running with SSD before, so that should be not the problem, or is it??

Help would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

As the new MOBO's now have a uEFI BIOS.
How to install Windows 64 bit on a uEFI BIOS:
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with
or
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 8 with

theog said:

As the new MOBO's now have a uEFI BIOS.
How to install Windows 64 bit on a uEFI BIOS:
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with
or
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 8 with

Thanks for your quick response.
By enabling only uEFI, the PC doesn't even get to the point of loading Windows from DVD.
Only Legacy and uEFI is able to get to the point.

Is it useful to add any screens? Problem is: I have not touched BIOS etc. in ages, so I am pretty much.... lost

Make the OS HD Drive first in Drive Options



Pic 3 uefi bios Win8 setupTo boot your DVD, use boot menu




press enter on the UEFI DVD drive

If you decide to not use the BIOS EFI functions, here's how to install normally:

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals, Boot into BIOS setup to see if there is an EFI Boot Disk in BIOS Boot order. If so remove it, set DVD drive first to boot. If EFI BIOS also set to Legacy BIOS. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO here. How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

At first screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DIS 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT

Next click Install Now to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

Thank you all. Maybe a silly question: why do I need a ISO DVD if I have the original Win7 DVD? Is there any difference?

sirrichard said:

Thank you all. Maybe a silly question: why do I need a ISO DVD if I have the original Win7 DVD? Is there any difference?

There are the same.

Use the latest in the Clean Reinstall tutorial if you don't have SP1 in yours. It saves hours of updating.