Can't do a fresh install of Windows 7.

fyi, Forgot to mention,
I've seen many threads recently where folks are having issues with installing Windows Updates after a clean install.
It may take up to 24 hours to install all the updates.

DavidE said:

Ok, understood, good troubleshooting !

Are the optical dives connected with PATA cables, the old wide ribbon cable, that can have 2 devices per cable ?
Or the newer SATA cables, smaller, one device per cable ?

I'm still just curious

It's an old computer so they are connected with the old wide ribbon cables.

DavidE said:

fyi, Forgot to mention,
I've seen many threads recently where folks are having issues with installing Windows Updates after a clean install.
It may take up to 24 hours to install all the updates.

Yup! There are 213 updates and it takes forever!

To add to my sad story of grief, I had Win 7 Home Basic working to my satisfaction with all the updates installed and decided to reinstall Windows XP in a dual boot arrangement. I screwed it up and ended up with a computer that wouldn't boot at all! Therefore, I had to go through the whole process again!

Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy!

dsscottage said:

DavidE said:

Ok, understood, good troubleshooting !

Are the optical dives connected with PATA cables, the old wide ribbon cable, that can have 2 devices per cable ?
Or the newer SATA cables, smaller, one device per cable ?

I'm still just curious

It's an old computer so they are connected with the old wide ribbon cables.

OK, those cables/devices do have Master/Slave/Cable-Select options, but you may have already tested that stuff.

I remember deciding to use Cable-Select so i didn't have make sure the Master/Slave Device was connected to the correct cable "connector".

I don't think i ever had 2 optical drives in 1 PC.

dsscottage said:

DavidE said:

fyi, Forgot to mention,
I've seen many threads recently where folks are having issues with installing Windows Updates after a clean install.
It may take up to 24 hours to install all the updates.

Yup! There are 213 updates and it takes forever!

To add to my sad story of grief, I had Win 7 Home Basic working to my satisfaction with all the updates installed and decided to reinstall Windows XP in a dual boot arrangement. I screwed it up and ended up with a computer that wouldn't boot at all! Therefore, I had to go through the whole process again!

Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy!

I've been there and done that so many times, but that's how we learn
What i learned is to create periodic System Image backups, it's a lot quicker to restore an image.
Now I'm using Macrium Reflect (free) and it works great for me.