Windows 7: Install freezes on 0% of "Expanding Windows Files"

Yo guys
I'm trying to install Windows 7 on my mom's laptop. I got to the custom install and I selected the HDD. I pressed the button for additional options and clicked format.After about 4-5 seconds it said it has been formated (although it seemed a little bit too quickly for me) and I continued to install. It gets to the install screen and shows "Copying Windows Files 0%...". It quickly and somehow, without showing 100% done "skips" the step giving it a tick and moves to expanding the files. Expanding stays on 0% and nothing else. No indication of the DVD reading, no indication of the HDD writing. It just stays like that and... NOTHING!!! This Windows 7 is from a torrent and the exact same edition is running on my PC, installed just fine. I tried several other CD's and on one of them it just got to the second restart and IT DIDN'T REBOOT! Even after waiting about 10 minutes it just did nothing. I restarted the laptop manually and then the install started from the beginning... Got any ideas what to do??? Please help, this is very VERY important!!!

Hello,

I know 10 minutes seems like a long time, but I do not want to move on until we can be more sure. Could you try leaving it for 30 minutes?

If nothing happens, we can go from there.

In the meantime, try reading my guide http://www.sevenforums.com/installat...-problems.html, and follow the tips such as disconnect all unnecessary hardware.

Thanks,
~Jonathan

Jonathan is correct, you should wait. There have been many posters, who have commented on the long wait, which was finally resolved by not being impatient. If you performed the Microsoft upgrade advsior test and you puter was found to be compatible with 7, the installation should install correctly. If you have a problem with the installation, however, before retrying use the upgrade advisor from the MS, site. It will advise of any problems or changes that should be made.

When you burned the DVD of the OS did you burn with verification? I had the same issue with any copies of the ISO I burned from my MSDAA school site.

Nothing. I even used KillDisk to low-level-format the C: (wipe it with zeros), but nothing.
I tried this with the advanced functions in the Windows DVD:
I erased all partitions and I hit the "New" button. Then two partitions pop up.The first is the regular new one that should really be there and the second is about 100MB and I beleive it is system backup or something??? Whenever I click "New" and then OK it says that Windows may create additional partitions for... god knows what and why...
I'm leaving the PC now, hopefully it'll work. Please write if you have any more ideas...

The additional partitions are system partitions necessary for the OS to work.

20 minutes passed. The DVD isn't making any noise, so it's not reading, the laptop HDD indicator isn't blinking so it isn't reading/writing. I'll keep on waiting though...

The fact that you downloaded from Torrent concerns me. Torrent is not exactly a reputable place to download Windows from. Can you get a hold of a legal, official version? Maybe from a friend, or contact Microsoft and they will send you a DVD for the cost of shipping.

This torrent works on my PC, why not work on another? There are no scratches on the CD. It's just fine. And I tried several editions like 7100 and two different 7600 torrents. Nothing. I just don't get it... I'll try install XP on it now, then start the install as an upgrade from XP to 7. Hope it'll work...

If you downloaded the software from a torrent, where are you getting the licenses for the install from? It's very hard to trust the contents of an operating system cd which is downloaded from a torrent. Although it works on one computer is no guarantee that it will work on another. Especially if this is a hacked/activated or otherwise pirated copy of the OS.