Windows 7 install problem catch 22

Hi All,

First time poster here, my system specs should be listed with this as I filled it out when registering. System is home built and previously was running Win XP 32 bit. I am trying now to install Win 7 Professional 64 Bit but having a spot of trouble with it. Namely I get a Blank screen with a "No Signal" error on final reboot after running the installation. This seems to be a rather common problem and I have tried several fixes I have found here and elsewhere but so far no joy.

I wiped the HDD using a Linux Live CD and Gparted so as to do a clean install.

I tried different options after pressing F8 on boot but I get a blank screen when I try "Low Resolution Mode" (I get no option for a VGA mode) and when I get in to Safe Mode I get a large Error message saying that "Windows Cannot Complete Installation In Safe Mode" which causes me to have to reboot. So I have no way of installing perhaps some GPU drivers.

I attempted to use a USB Thumb drive to install the WHQL ATI Drivers during install but the install program did not recognize them as being on the USB drive when pointed to it.

Tried switching the DVI ports but got no output at all from that. I have tried different Bios settings but nothing has helped there either. I do not have any type of VGA output to plug in to and I don't have another GPU to try as well.

I know the machine is in working order as a Linux Live CD boots up and functions flawlessly, so hardware-wise everything appears fine.

I hope this is enough information for someone to lend me some advice. Thanks in advance for any help.

Looks like I spoke too soon

I can only get in to the regular boot up with no video acceleration even though I installed the drivers in safe mode, if I activate the video card and reboot I still get the blank screen issue. Any ideas on that? I'm almost there.

Try the drivers provided by Windows Updates after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3).

In fact run all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates to get important Performance Updates which might affect this.

Unlike XP, Win7 is driver-complete so should be given the first chance to provide drivers.

The problem during install may be that you have no VGA and until SP2 the Driver Store in the installer is sparse for the latest DVI drivers.

It should not be this hard to install a simple OS

Started getting a BSOD instead of the blank, tried to repair, no go, doing full reinstall and getting very frustrated with this bloody thing.

I tried to find the setting to auto update the drivers but could not find it, maybe not available in safe mode??

Kevin, is it using Standard VGA display driver in Safe Mode? Then when you try another driver and reboot into Normal Mode it fouls out?

Do you have an onboard video chip you can use to get into Normal Mode, then enable the video card to see if Windows Update will automatically deliver a driver Win7 wants? Try also any other Win7 drivers for that card the same way?

You could also try it this way with another video card, unless you like the replacement better.

I understand the frustration but stick with it as we don't give up here and will help you until it's fixed. Can call in hardware experts if necessary.

gregrocker said:

Is it using Standard VGA display driver in Safe Mode? Then when you try another driver and reboot into Normal Mode it fouls out?

Do you have an onboard video chip you can use to get into Normal Mode, then enable the video card to see if Windows Update will automatically deliver a driver Win7 wants? Try also any other Win7 drivers for that card the same way?

You could also try it this way with another video card, unless you like the replacement better.

I understand the frustration but stick with it as we don't give up here and will help you until it's fixed.

Yes it seems to be but when I install the drivers for my card and try to boot normally it just gives me the blank screen again.

No onboard video on my MoBo

I appreciate the help so far, doing the reinstall now, I have the drivers for my card on a USB drive ready to go as internet seems really slow in safe mode. Got the fangs out now and am going to get this working some how.

Did a re-install and now I can't get in to safe mode with command prompt, I can select it but no command prompt shows, I just get an error message saying set up cannot be completed in safe mode grrrrrrrrrrrr

You can access Command Prompt from the installer's System Recovery Options.

Where did you get Win7? Is it a known-good installer which has worked successfully recently? If not try another from Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
Steps 1 and 2.

I'd also reset the BIOS to defaults. Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

I'll ask for more hardware expertise.