Windows 7 Install hangs after "Starting Windows" when booting from USB

Page 1 of 6 123 ... LastLast

  1. Taji34
    Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       New #1

    Windows 7 Install hangs after "Starting Windows" when booting from USB


    Hello-

    So recently my laptop started to act up; freezing, really long start-up times, etc. It's gotten to the point where I can't start windows. After some research, I've decided to run Disk Check and System File Checker from the Recovery Console to see if that helps with the problem. If not I am just going to do a clean install of windows 7.

    I'm trying to boot the windows installation from a USB drive. I am doing this because the computer in question is the only one I have with a disk drive, so I can not burn an installation disk. I do not own an installation disk or a recovery disk, as the computer did not ship with one. I have integrated the USB 3.0 drivers I need into the installation, since the only USB 2.0 port on the computer is broken.

    When I boot from the USB it gets past the "Starting windows" screen, and then hangs on a black screen with a cursor. I can move the cursor around, but no matter how long I wait, it does not progress past this point.

    I have noticed, however, that I only encounter this problem when my Hard Drive is recognized in the bios. When I changed the bios settings to troubleshoot and my hard drive stopped being recognized in the bios, the USB booted up without a hitch, but since I couldn't see my hard drive, I couldn't do anything. I have since switch the settings back, my hard drive is once again recognized, and the problem is still happening.

    Any ideas on why this would be happening, and how to fix it? If you need any more info, I will do my best to provide it. Thank you.

    UPDATE: I burned a Windows Install dvd, and it hangs in the same place, so I can't complete an install or get to the recovery console. Could something with my hard drive be causing the boot from the USB and the DVD to fail? I restored my Bios to default settings, and put the cd/dvd drive to boot first.
    Last edited by Taji34; 20 Jun 2013 at 19:52. Reason: Update on problem
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  3. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #2

    Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
    Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
    Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure


       Information
    We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
    & made the Startup Repair CD.
    startup repair disc-create


    Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


    How to use Dell Recovery Partition,make Recovery Disks & how to order Recovery Disks.
    Manuals | Dell US
    RouteTo
    Dell - Support
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  4. Taji34
    Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    theog said:
    Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
    Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
    Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure


       Information
    We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
    & made the Startup Repair CD.
    startup repair disc-create


    Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


    How to use Dell Recovery Partition,make Recovery Disks & how to order Recovery Disks.
    Manuals | Dell US
    RouteTo
    Dell - Support
    No I did not make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk. At the time, I didn't realize it had a recovery partition, and I just never got around to it. My concern right now is not with whether the hard drive is faulty or not, while I do plan to do what you suggested in addition to what I plan to do already, my main concern is why it seems to have problems booting from USB when my hard drive is recognized. I have been able to get access to a computer with a disk drive, so I am burning the windows 7 installation files to it see if it will boot from the dvd.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #4

    Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

    Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. (If an EFI BIOS you'll need to decide if you want UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS. If UEFI follow these special steps for Install, otherwise enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module to proceed with normal install.) Set DVD drive first to boot, HD second, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes and Exit.

    Then boot into Windows 7 installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.

    At first installer screen Press Shift + F10, or enter System Recovery Options to open a Command Box, type:

    DISKPART
    LIST DISK
    SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
    CLEAN
    CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
    FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
    ACTIVE
    EXIT
    EXIT

    Next click Install Now, then Custom install 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.

    After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt. You are creating the partition here for the purpose of wiping the HD and marking Active which overcomes certain install failures.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  7. Taji34
    Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    UPDATE: I burned a Windows Install dvd, and it hangs in the same place, so I can't complete an install or get to the recovery console. Could something with my hard drive be causing the boot from the USB and the DVD to fail? I restored my Bios to default settings, and put the cd/dvd drive to boot first.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  8. Layback Bear
    Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       New #6

    I suggest going back to post #2 by theog.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  10. Taji34
    Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    Layback Bear said:
    I suggest going back to post #2 by theog.
    Alright, I am going to go through the hard drive diagnostics in post #2. However, if I still want to do a clean install of Windows 7, I need to fix the current problem. Could it be something with the hard drive that is causing the install disk to hang? I'll edit this post with updates on my progress after the hard drive diagnostics.
    Last edited by Taji34; 20 Jun 2013 at 22:19. Reason: More Clarification
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  11. Layback Bear
    Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       New #8

    Yes it could be. That why it was suggest to test the hard drive in post #2.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  12. Taji34
    Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    Layback Bear said:
    Yes it could be. That why it was suggest to test the hard drive in post #2.
    It seems I can't run the Toshiba diagnostic tool, because it needs to be run through MS-DOS, and DOS doesn't seem to see my hard drive, I tried to access drives a-z in dos, and nothing worked, any ideas? The Hard drive was visible in the boot menu.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  13. VistaKing
    Posts : 6,830
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit & Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
       New #10

    Try this diagnostic test

    http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/down...2_v416_b00.iso

    Burn the .iso file to a disc (CD-R) boot off the CD

    Leave everything default . Follow the prompts
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 
Page 1 of 6 123 ... LastLast

  Related Discussions
I want to do a clean install of 64-bit Windows 7 Pro on the Intel R1304WTTGSR server (S2600W motherboard). The specs for this server say Windows 7 EFI is compatible and has been tested with this server. The server does not come with any O/S installed. The firmware ("BIOS") is set to boot using...
Let me first address a few things: - I have read extensively on this topic, using guides such as this to determine whether or not I have bootable media for UEFI, which I do. - I have both an original, unused Windows 7 Pro w/ SP1 x64 install DVD, connected through the USB 2.0 external DVD...
I upgraded my Intel Rapid Storage software, reset the computer and now it won't get passed the windows starting screen. The windows logo comes up then it freezes, I have tried leaving it for over an hour to see if it sorted itself out, and powered it off completely. Numerous re-boot attempts all...
So, I just put together my new system and after a few days of messing with settings in the BIOS trying to get windows 7 to install properly, I figured its time to make a thread. System: Intel i7 930 GA-X58 UD3R 3x2gb Patriot Viper DDR 1333 (only using 2gb for install) 1 x 150gb (brand new)...
Hi, I had Win 7 Beta installed in its' own partition for a few months. I re-formatted the partition to install RC1. I have tried installing from within winXP and on a re-boot, but the result is the same: When the machine gets to the "Starting Windows" first screen, before the logo appears, the...
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

 © Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 17:58.
Find Us