Questions to use for help with Installation Issues


  1. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
       #1

    Questions to answer for help with Installation Issues


    Welcome to Seven Forums.



    In order to help resolve your installation issues, we would like to get some initial information.
    Your answers will help us to eliminate some of the possible causes, and focus on the solution.

    First, we will need your system specs, if you haven’t filled them in, please do so.
    If you need help finding your computer specifications try SIW - System Information for Windows, this will give you all the information required.
    Where do they go? Click ‘User CP’ on the top tool bar of any Seven Forums page. On the left side under Your Control Panel, click Edit System Spec.

    It is Highly Recommended to make a Backup Image of your entire hard disk before any Operating System installation.

       Information

    Seven Forums tutorial for the Windows 7 Backup and restore program:


    There are more Seven Forums Backup and Restore tutorials:


    Other Free Backup and Restore programs can be found at this Seven Forums thread:



    Second, general information about your installation.

    Current Operating System, pre-install
    • Do you have a single OS on your computer, are you planning on multi-booting with this installation?
    • Are you multi-booting now?


    Current Hardware
    • How many internal hard drives (HD) are connected to your system?
    • Are they IDE or SATA?


    • How many DVD drives are connected to your system?
    • Are they IDE or SATA Drives?


    • Any external HDs used?
    • Are they connected by USB or eSATA?


    • Check Disk Management for any HDs listed with a yellow triangle and explanation point?


    • Is this a New Clean HD?
    • Have you pre-formatted the HD?


    Windows 7 installation details
    • Which build number and version of Win7 are you installing?

    • Are you installing a 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit (x64) OS?

    • Where did you get the ISO file from?


    The procedure and speed of burning the ISO to DVD has been the most frequent cause of installation failure
    • How did you burn the DVD? Briefly describe the steps you used.

    • Which ISO burning software did you use?
    • At what burning speed and with Verify checked?

    • A slow burn speed, lowest setting (example x4 speed), will ensure an error free burn.

    Here is a very good tutorial on burning an ISO:


    Due to burning DVD failure to install incidents these alternative methods are suggested

    There are two non DVD methods for installing Win7:

    • Installation using a USB key (Memory stick, Flash Memory) it’s easy and fast to setup using this tutorial:

    • Installation from another partition or hard disk, try this tutorial:

    • This partition or hard disk method is designed for advanced users:


    Other
    • Any Over Clocking of the RAM, CPU or GPU?


    Suggestions
    • Remove everything not essential to loading Win7, from the system. No printers, gamepads, second monitors, scanners, external devices, flash drives etc., keep only the monitor, keyboard and mouse.

    • A standard VGA cable connection between Video card & Monitor is sometimes required for a Win7 installation.


       Note
    Thanks to DocBrown for the original list.


       Tip


    You can cut and paste the questions below on your New Thread to easily give the answers:

    Current Operating System, pre-install
    • Do you have a single OS on your computer, are you planning on multi-booting with this installation?
    • Are you multi-booting now?


    Current Hardware
    • How many internal hard drives (HD) are connected to your system?
    • Are they IDE or SATA?

    • How many DVD drives are connected to your system?
    • Are they IDE or SATA Drives?

    • Any external HDs used?
    • Are they connected by USB or eSATA?

    • Check Disk Management for any HDs listed with a yellow triangle and explanation point?

    • Is this a New Clean HD?
    • Have you pre-formatted the HD?


    Windows 7 installation details
    • Which build number and version of Win7 are you installing?

    • Are you installing a 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit (x64) OS?

    • Where did you get the ISO file from?


    Installation Media
    • Using a USB memory key?
    • From another partition or hard disk?
    • From a DVD?

    The procedure and speed of burning the ISO to DVD has been the most frequent cause of installation failure
    • How did you burn the DVD? Briefly describe the steps you used.

    • Which ISO burning software did you use?
    • At what burning speed and with Verify checked?

    • A slow burn speed, lowest setting (example x4 speed), will ensure an error free burn.


    Other
    • Any Over Clocking of the RAM, CPU or GPU?


    Thank you for providing the information we need to help resolve your installation issues.

    .
    Last edited by Dave76; 26 Oct 2009 at 11:28. Reason: Add Backup links
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,557
    XP, Seven, 2008R2
       #2

    I vote sticky.

    Also it might be nice to have some links dealing with:

    Startup Repair

    MBR - Restore Windows 7 Master Boot Record

    Partition or Volume - Extend

    Because those are all very common questions here.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for the vote.

    I think we could use a couple more stickies in this forum
    Last edited by Dave76; 31 Oct 2009 at 07:33.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,747
    7600.20510 x86
       #4

    Wow, nice Dave. I haven't ever seen this guide before until now. This should really do folks well and I'm sure it already has. +rep
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks torrentg,

    It does help, gets the basic info/questions answered, so we can get a resolution quicker.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 9,606
    Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
       #6

    I have used this message with the links inserted & the response has been favorable !

    Welcome to SevenForums,

    Try some of our SevenForums reading material for a few minutes:




    We are trying to help a lot of users and we will get back to you shortly.
    Help us help you by providing more details of your system & problem.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I saw that today, looks good, Seems like most people are taking advantage of it once they realize it will help them get a solution quicker.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 8
    windows XP 32bit
       #8

    Thank you for your information, It is useful to me.
      My Computer


  9. OEM
    Posts : 617
    OS3.5
       #9

    Great thread, glad to see it as a sticky!

    You could (if you want) go to your own edit system specs page and copy the address and paste it into your post. Just as its like in my sig, The link was from my edit system specs, but when another member clicks on it, it takes them to there own "edit system specs". Or just right click and copy shortcut on my link in the sig and paste wherever. I have it there in my sig in hopes of new members (and old) that haven't filled them out yet to take the time out to do so as it definitely helps with answering most members questions.

    Nice Work!
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Your welcome daisy2010, glad it was helpful.



    Thanks OEM,

    Good idea, it's definitely helpful to know the system specs, would be nice if everyone filled them out.
      My Computer


 

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