fresh install, stalls right after "windows starting" screen. mbr?

First of all, thank you all for taking the time to discuss and troubleshoot my problem. I attempted everything that was passed on to me, with no prevailing success. Extremely confused and mildly anger, I went with one additional bit of advice. GregRocker mentioned an update to BIOS. I never thought of it, nor would have I considered it to be an issue before (remember, I'm a -- what do you call them? -- n00b) I went to another machine, got the updated file, flashed the BIOS, and the som'bitch fired right up.

...wtf?

That was it. Something had gone arye that was easily fixed by a flash of the BIOS. I had even reset my CMOS on countless attempts to get everything running. Needless to say I'm confused; delighted, but confused.

Again, thank you all for your time.

I am new here but am having the same problems.

New mobo, cpu, mem, disk, power supply but old video card (EVGA Geforce 8800 GTS 512). Video card worked fine on my Vista system for 2+ years.

So, I start setup for Win 7 64bit and create a 200mb partition (and it creates the 100mb one too).
After the first reboot, after the "starting windows" and the logo anamation, screen goes blank. Done.

I can install Vista 32 ok. but not 7.

I give up on mobo after reading bad reviews and get another one. Latest chip set and all... I update the bios to the most recent (last month).

Same problem. I am thinking a mac is looking good. I have been pulling what is left of my hair out for 2 weeks and have traveled 250 miles back and forth to the computer parts store.

May I ask why you created the 200mb partition? Do you mean 200gb for your C partition?

Have you removed all but 2gb of RAM for the install, and all other HD's and USB connectons?

What is the SATA controller setting in BIOS? Try AHCI first, then IDE if necessary.

Have you tried an in-place Upgrade from Vista? Did you run the Win7 Upgrade Advisor to get a heads-up on any incompatible hardware and/or apps? Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Test your memory with Windows MemDiagnostics or memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes. Then test your HD with maker's full diag/repair CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.

Then use the HD Diag CD or DISKPART to zero your HD and try again with the cleanest possible slate.

Sorry, yes, I meant 200gb system partition.
Re-upgrading: No Vista on this disk. The Vista machine got ate by software rot. Also, cannot upgrade 32 bit Vista to 64 bit W7.

One drive only on the machine at present (plus the DVD). New 1tb WD Caviar Black disk. I have tried IDE settings and now trying AHCI. I have one stick of 2gb memory installed at present.

I did run many passes of mem test from the Vista kit.
My memory is a 1.65v stick and I noticed when I first started that things didn't go well at all as the mobo default was 1.5v. So, I set it to 1.65v in the bios and things moved forward to where we are now.

This morning I have tried an older PCIe single slot video card with the same results - using VGA output on the card.

Next up to try an older PCI card now that I have a VGA cable set up to one of my displays.

Ok, I had left my DVI cable plugged it... I unplugged it and setup is continuing.

Microsoft continues to make each new version much worse than the one before. I want XP back - trouble free and you can repair it.

Now I have no idea how I am going to get to my config with a pair of DVI displays.
Not happy!

rant!
Doesn't Microsoft realize that modern computers just simply DON'T have VGA anymore?
Don't the mobo makers and bios makers realize that the floppy is gone! My mobo doesn't even have floppy support.
Just about every helpful paper I read in the past few weeks suggested booting a Win98 floppy to fix things. Ya Right!
Who would think I have to pull my perfectly working 2 year old video card and put in one a salvaged years ago in order to install the current OS? Microsoft should be ashamed!
end rant

Now that I got my rant out of my system, perhaps I can ask a civil question

I really want to get back to my preferred configuration which has 2 EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 512 video cards. I use this system for music production so I need lots of display real estate.

My experiance to date has me gun shy about moving forward to get my video cards back in the machine.

Has anyone some good advice for me moving forward? Of course, I will put the rest of the memory back in (and test), then hook up the other disks so I can get my personal data back, but then, I need the displays.

Thanks

What method of repairing Win7 install uses floppy drive?

Your problem appears to be at the install step when drivers are loaded for dual monitor support which is not configured correctly or incorrectly outputted so that the monitor goes blank - happens all the time. The installer is using standard VGA driver until that step.

Hopefully the video cards will work correctly now that you have the install up and running. Have the drivers ready just in case.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply Windows needed floppies.

Things appear to be well now.

So, the bottom line seems to be that the version of Windows that is used for the install is lame about video cards but if you can get past it, then the installed Windows can deal with DVI.

I used an Nvidia GeForce 6800 for the install with the display connected ONLY by the VGA cable (I had left the DVI cable connected at first and still had the blank screen issue). Once Windows was installed, I shut it down to change over to the DVI cable and find that even though I specifically set Windows Update to ONLY download updates but NOT install them, I find that I have to wait for 25 updates to be installed, then wait for them to finish on reboot before I have had time to set a restore point.

Rant!
It is a good thing I wasn't racing a UPS shutdown while waiting for these updates!!!
Microsoft clearly doesn't care about the end user at all except to collect money!
I always shut off automatic updates because my use of the computer does NOT permit me to reboot at just any time (like during a music performance when it is running external equipment!).
end Rant

So, I finally, after 30 minutes of updates and reboots, changed out the cable to DVI and it all worked. I loaded the Nvidia Driver set, rebooted, checked it, shut it down, put in the 8800, hooked up 2 monitors and it is back to life.

Thanks for the advice.

Be sure to check optional Windows Updates for newer drivers.