Windows 7: Windows 7 Installation Problem

Hi. My OS was originally windows vista. I had installed Windows 7 RC version a few months ago and that worked perfectly well. Today I tried to install the full version of Windows 7 Ultimate. I burned the image file using Nero Burning ROM and I burned it on a 16x DVD-R.
Once finished, I booted the DVD and launched the installation. All the steps seemed to be complete (ticks beside each bullet points which suggested that each of the step was complete) and while it was being installed, my pc rebooted itself several times which seemed usual at first.
Then, once the steps were completed (Expanding windows files,...), 'completing installation...' was showing up below the list of bullet points. My pc rebooted itself once again and ended up on a black screen at the startup. I could tell that my screen was not frozen because I could move my mouse.
I waited for about 30mins but it was still on a black screen so I manually switched off my pc by holding the power button. When i turned my pc back on and clicked on 'Start Windows Normally', it went to a screen saying 'Setup is preparing your computer for first use' and then rebooted itself up to the screen with the option 'Start Windows Normally'.
I experienced this several times and I also tried the 'Safe Mode' but it did not work. I am not sure whether it is because I burned the DVD at the speed of 16x. Please Help me because I am unable to start up my pc, thanking you in advance.

It sounds like you have a corrupt DVD disc. ALWAYS burn ISO image files, especially ones for OS installation at no faster than a 4x burning speed. ImgBurn works well for this and it's free, plus it is better at burning ISO images than Nero is. (This is my opinion.) Also have the burning program verify the burn against the ISO image just to be sure the burn went well.

If all is good so far, then do a clean install again, and you should have no problems. You can enter the product key either and the very end of the install process or wait until later. MS gives you several days to activate it any way.

Another tip is that if you have extra hard drive(s) in your computer, disconnect them until you're done installing Windows 7, then hook them back up.

Keep in touch and let us know how it worked out for you. Good Luck!

The prior poster has given you excellent advice and all that he has said is included as part of my response.

Furthermore, go to the Microsoft Website and download a copy of upgrade advisor. You can locate any incompatibities and make the adjustments. It will also indicate if there is anything on your system that could not be used with Windows 7. It is my opionion that the crux of the statment is the burning speed, 4X is considered best, while 16 is way too fast. When you are done, do not be in a rush to supply your key number, use the system for a while, install your programs. When you are completley satisfied you can supply the number , then. You have 30 days (with extensions 90). Now you are done, almost. Make a system image and put it in a safe place. Take these actions and you will never have to return here (although you are welcome)under these unpleasant circumstances. You have a problem, try to fix it; you can't you have your system image, just install and you are ready to go. Remember to update your system image at least once a week.

Have a Merry Christmas and hope that you don't have to return under these circumstances again. Feel free to come back, though to visit or even to assist take care.

Do you have a tv tuner card or video card outputted to another monitor?

What you describe can happen during the phase where drivers are being loaded and installer's default VGA driver is being replaced with video card or t.v. tuner with another output.

You can also verify your current DVD using ImgBurn's Verify Disk selection.

The problem was that my pc was connected to my television via the hdmi cable so i guess the computer was graphically confused. I then just had to boot from the installation cd and start the installation again. It worked for me!

thanks very much for your help guys

Great! Glad to hear it all worked out for ya! You'll really enjoy Windows 7, it's the best OS out there and even MAC users like it.