Win 7 Install crashing

DocBrown said:

It's not Win7 We have a hardware Glitch here somewhere

Try to give some more hardware details in addition to what you have already listed. By any chance is there a floppy drive on this box ?

That is what's so frustrating... this is a very bare bones system, but yet it's having problems. Literally everything I listed is what's installed. This board does have a integrated graphics solution that I've never heard of, something called SidePort memory. I tried disabling that in the BIOS but it didn't help.

I actually spoke too soon about WinXP install. It's stuck... but it did get past the point of formatting the drive to the actual install portion

Anybody have experience with this particular MSI board (MSI 890GXM-G65)? I think it's a relatively new board that they came out with.

Every hardware component is new except for the DVD burner.

Do you think it's just a compatibility issue, or could one of the components be faulty? I would think if a component was faulty, it wouldn't even POST.

win7clutz said:

How do you install in the safe mode? If you can't boot to Win 7, that's not even possible. Matter of fact, if you can boot to W7, insert your disc, choose "Upgrade" and then reboot when prompted, the install will not complete if you "F8" into the safe mode!

After checking all connections as gregrocker suggested:

Check MSI's site for the latest bios and upgrade accordingly.

Set bios options to manufacturers default.

Boot to a known GOOD dvd and proceed with the install. If it continues to fail, your options are as follows:

Troubleshoot hardware with tools like memtest, (I know you have already been there)

Contact MSI for support.

RMA the board back to where it was purchased...

Since you state the box will properly install XP, that implies that your hardware is not an issue unless the bios and on board devices do not support Win 7. Therefore troubleshooting with the manufacturer is the most logical solution..

For safe mode install, I pressed F8 after the BIOS posted. Normally it would go to the "starting windows" screen, and then to the language selection screen, etc. But when I pressed F8, it went to the safe mode boot options screen. I guess going to safe mode doesn't work?

MSI had an updated BIOS available, I tried flashing it using their "M-flash" function, but it couldn't find the update in my USB drive. I'll take another stab at it.

Yeah... if I can't get it to work, I'm going to return it for another one...

Is your computer 32 bit or 64 bit?

dandan said:

Memtest reported back with no errors.

I tried setting SATA controller to AHCI, but no luck. I disabled every possible thing I could in the bios, but still no go. Setup still freezes at the "starting windows" or at the language selection screens.

Tried installing in safe mode, at language selection screen I was able to click the next button this time, but the second I clicked it, it became unresponsive.

Oddly enough, I can install WinXP with no problems. It's going through the install as I'm writing this right now.

What's going on?? What's wrong with Win7?

I can't remember which, but the WIN 7 disks are recorded on +R? (dual layer?).

I had an older ASUS 2004/5 DVD drive that couldn't read the format/dye/layers properly and failed miserably just after start-up (whilst the WIN 7 disk read fine on a more up to date blu-ray drive!)

Download Nero "INFOTOOL" - it tells you what formats of DVD disk your drive can read/write to

Can you fill out FULL system specs with serial/model numbers if you want better help
eg Wot graphic card or is it built in?

It is possible you cant rum Win7 on your machine.. If possible get hold a copy of XP and download this.. it will tell you if your computer can safely run Win7

Windows 7 upgrade advisor
Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

To my knowledge, Win7 cannot be installed in Safe Mode.

Try install using USB flash stick, using Boot Menu shortcut key to trigger stick to boot (often listed under HD's): USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

Reset your CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Test your HD using maker's full diag/repair CD scan: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

Ok, I give up. I'm going to just return the motherboard and cpu and get a Core i3 combo instead. I've never had this many problems building a system. First time working with AMD - not a good experience.

Everything seems to check out fine, but it still crashes. Memory tests passed. Hard drive test passed. Tried installing Win7 from a USB stick, didn't work. Unplugged and reconnected everything, still no go. I successfully updated the BIOS, but that didn't help.

I'm thinking some how it's a bad board. I noticed that whenever the install crashes, there's either no power going to USB (mouse and keyboard lights are not on), or the USB is stuck on sending an active signal (or something) because the light on my IR mouse is bright as though it's being used, instead of a dim light like when it's inactive. I tried using a PS/2 keyboard and disabling all USB in the BIOS but that didn't help.

Well, thanks for all the help.