Windows 7: Can't get installation past "Starting Windows"

If u worried about u xp installation then i suggest u use a tool like true image 2009 (not 2010) to backup the windows XP partition to an external device such as a flash card or usb hard-drive so u can then delete any remaining partitions. Leave the drive unformatted and see if windows 7 will install after that.
It's a process of elimination.



How much RAM do u have?

Exactly what is the fail point or error message?

Does Windows 7 see the HD?

Is XP booting correctly? Try running Windows 7 installer from XP.

Fail point is before the actual installation even begins, so it doesn't even get a chance to see the HD!

Exact sequence of events (assuming Windows 7 install DVD is already inserted):
1) Computer powers on
2) Boot order is DVD drive first, so prompt says "Press any key to boot from CD"
3) When a key is pressed, very first screen says "Windows is loading files" with a progress bar
4) Progress bar reaches full, then screen changes to "Starting Windows"
5) First orange pixel of the famous colored ball sequence shows, but nothing else. Screen hangs on that "Starting Windows" screen with that single orange pixel. Have left it for several hours to no avail. So, I'm not even getting to the first step of installation!

XP is booting correctly, and I have tried running the installer from XP. In that case, the installer does its usual activity of copying setup files to hard drive, then begins expanding the files. Roughly 27% of the way through expansion, it says "a restart is needed". After restart, boot loader now shows "Earlier version of Windows" and "Windows Setup", and defaults to "Windows Setup" after 3 seconds. At this point, I get the same "Starting Windows" screen as described above and the same freeze at the single orange pixel.

Pretty strange, eh?

1. Boot the 7 dvd to command prompt, type:

Diskpart

then press enter

Lis Vol

then press enter

make a note of what it says

EXI

Post what it says up here.

2. Boot into XP - have a look at the partition table with this: ( don't change any of the entries )

PTEDIT32.zip

post up what it says.

3. On the partition you are trying to install 7 onto, look in the $windows.~bt\Sources\Panther for setuperr.log

The last entry is usually revealing.

Has any of what you describe changed since you removed the RAID array?

Please post back a screenshot of your full Disk management drive map with listings.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...en-forums.html

Sorry, missed this post earlier.

I'd love to image it, but the family is so trained on the dual-boot setup (i.e. how to boot to 2nd OS if first is having issues), so I'd prefer to keep it that way if possible.

3GB of RAM in total (two 1 GB OCZ sticks, and two 512mb Corsair).

Ok, screenshots requested are below. Thoughts?

Unfortunately, I was not able to perform the "lis vol" command because I was unable to boot into safe mode w/ command prompt mode (when I tried, it hung on disk.sys again).

Re: setuperr.log, I forgot that part and I'd already blown away the partition. I'll redo that when I get home tonight and post those results.

Have you tried both methods of install (from XP and boot) since removing the RAID array? What are the differences exactly?

How is the HD recognized in BIOS setup and what settings are available for it?

Can you default to onboard graphics to try install?

Do you have another machine you can move HD to try Windows 7 install without booting XP? This has worked for me a dozen times when I ran out of time to troubleshoot failed install. If it will start when returned to problem machine it will swap out all of the drivers, requesting several restarts, and run normally. As long as you don't allow XP to start in other machine, it will not require a Repair Install when returned to old machine.

SIW2 (our top dual boot expert) will hopefully have other ideas if you follow his steps for info requested.

Yup, have tried both methods since removing the RAID array and there are no differences at all (same freeze on same orange pixel).

HD is recognized as Primary Master IDE #1. No real other IDE-related HD settings available in the BIOS (just a "Storage Configuration" that allows me to enable/disable the SATA controller)

Unfortunately, no onboard graphics available on this particular mobo.

I do have another machine, and was thinking about this option this morning. I guess I'm just leaving this one as a last resort, so I don't have to mess up my beautiful cabling in my main PC! But yeah, if that's what I have to do, I'll do it.

When u make a backup image with acronis 2009 it will also copy the boot sector as well and you can choose to reinstall the boot sector along with contents of the partition you backed up on any drive you wish.

In short the image can be installed on another hard drive if that is what concerns you. Acronis Home 2009 boot disc is very stable. Forget about 2010 as it is unreliable.