Windows 7 - Common Installation Problems and Their Solutions

Many people are posting in this category with the same problems, so I have put together a guide listing common scenarios and their solutions. One thing to note is that while an In-Place Upgrade may seem easier, there is a greater chance that something may go wrong. Most of the users on this forum agree that doing a clean install is the safer option.

One tip does not fall into any category. If you created the disc yourself (e.g. you downloaded the files, and created a bootable disc from them), try burning at the slowest speed possible.

Make sure the power cable is plugged in, as well.

What to try:
Disconnect all unnecessary hardware from the system. This includes hard drives, video cards, USB devices, and expansion cards. Remove all but one stick of RAM.

Use the VGA output on your card if possible.

These problems can also be caused by bad RAM. Run a memory diagnostic overnight, using Memest86 or something similar.

If nothing above works, you may have bad installation media. What condition is the disc in? Verify your copy of Windows came from a reputable source. Try burning a new DVD, using the slowest speed possible.

Problem: Error message “Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition.”

What to try:
Make sure that the partition is primary, active, and formatted with NTFS.

Instructions for marking a partition as active using Diskpart:
Open an elevated command prompt:
Method 1: From Windows
Click on Start and type “command prompt”
Right-click on the application and select “Run as administrator”
Choose “Yes” when asked to confirm

Method 2: From a Windows install/repair disc
Boot into the install/repair disc and wait for it to load
Choose “Repair my computer”
Select “Command Prompt”

Type diskpart and press enter.
Enter list disk and note the number of the disk you want to install on.
Enter select disk n n is the number of the disk.
Enter list partition and note the number of the partition you want to install on.
Enter select partition n n is the number of the partition.
Enter active
You can now close the command prompt and re-attempt installation.

Problem: Setup does not recognize hard drive during installation

What to try:
If possible, boot into the install disc and run the installation from there, as opposed to running setup.exe from withing Windows.

Make sure that the HDD is detected in BIOS.

Try changing the SATA setting in the BIOS to AHCI, or IDE if AHCI is already set.

As a last resort, because this will erase your data, try this tutorial.

Problem: Setup forces computer to reboot, and never finishes installation

What to try:
Sometimes setup fails when recovery partitions are still present. For example, Acer and HP both put a special recovery partition on their systems, that cannot be easily deleted.

To delete the partition using Diskpart:
Open a copy of Diskpart following the instructions given earlier.
Enter list disk
Enter select disk n
Enter list partition
Enter select partition n
Enter delete partition override

Now try reinstalling Windows.

Problem: Missing CD/DVD Drivers...

What to try:
Change the BIOS setting from IDE to AHCI or RAID (if your planning to use RAID).

AHCI is for SATA components, HD, DVD etc.
If AHCI or RAID is set in the BIOS it will install the drivers.

Windows 7 is trying to find IDE drivers for a SATA DVD.

Change the BIOS and try the install again.

Some users have also reported that they solved this problem by deleting the recovery partitions that came with the computer.

If you still have problems with the DVD drive try installing with a USB memory key: USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

Thanks to Dave76 for the last solution, in this post.

If nothing is working, try clearing your CMOS. There is usually an option in the BIOS to reset to defaults, or something along those lines.


If none of the above suggestions work for you, please create a new thread in the Installation section. DO NOT reply to this post with your question.

Some may need SATA driver or RAID driver for their motherboard and/or RAID controller ready on DVD, USB or HDD attached to non-RAID hard drive if setup does not recognize hard drive while installing.

Helpful thread. +rep

Should I add that to my post, or leave it be?

It's fine.

Thanks!

Great post ... on this point check out this post

0x80070570 Error Code on install - One Easy Solution

One step solution to the 0x80070570 can't find files exception - as yet not confirmed on other installs.

Crazy B

Excellent idea,

We see a lot of similar issues coming up repeatedly, a sticky thread for these will help the users and those that are trying to help.

Good direction and well laid out +rep

For all the people who tried to upgrade from Vista and their PC froze or got stuck at 62%... Microsoft has released a fix... Microsoft Fixes 62% Upgrade Hang Issue!

Clearing the cmos fixed the "set up is stuck at X percent" issue on 4 completely different machines for me using different media everytime. Just trying a different installation CD has also worked for me. Just thought I would pass this info along.

Thanks, chev65. That is a great addition.