Windows 7: Issue with System Recovery - Vista to W7

Question -

I am performing a Windows 7 install for a coworker on a Gateway GT5694 desktop. Installation went through without issue but upon reboot, I am prompted with a message stating "
Select an operating system to repair and click Next. Only Windows Vista operating systems are listed and can be repaired." My options are "Load Drivers" and "Next". Hitting Load Drivers gives me a message stating "Insert the installation media for the device and click OK to select the driver" and then brings me into File Explorer.



Simply hitting "Next" brings up an error message stating "This version of System Recovery Options is not compatible with the version of Windows you are trying to repair. Try using a recovery disc that is compatible with this version of Windows."

So, how can I proceed? Can I bypass this altogether, or do I need the recovery disc (which I don't have).

Any and all input is greatly appreciated!

Did you create a new Partition for Windows 7 or are you overwriting Vista?

Did you boot the Windows 7 installer to do the install and use any of the Drive Option tools like Delete, Create or Format?

How do you know that installation went through without issue? Did you get to set up your named User Account or desktop?

When exactly are you hit with the error message - after what exact step in installation:
Clean Install Windows 7

Did you create a new Partition for Windows 7 or are you overwriting Vista?

Overwriting.

Did you boot the Windows 7 installer to do the install and use any of the Drive Option tools like Delete, Create or Format?

No. Just a clean from-disk overwrite on the main hard drive partition.

How do you know that installation went through without issue? Did you get to set up your named User Account or desktop?

I did, went through CPU account name and password, and initial setup.

When exactly are you hit with the error message - after what exact step in installation:

Install is finished. This message appears once i boot or restart the CPU. First the Gateway logo appears, then the Windows 7 loading bar, then to system recovery options.

I will try to upload some pictures to PB and post the link here.

Looking forward to those screenshots.

Can you boot into Safe Mode by tapping F8 at bootup?

As it is running the Vista Repair utility it is likely you still have Vista on there somewhere and cannot repair Windows 7 with it's utility.

Boot the Windows 7 DVD Repair console or create a Repair CD to run Startup Repair repeatedly:
System Repair Disc - Create
Startup Repair

Windows 7 may need to be set Active to Repair Startup if Vista is still holds the active flag:
Partition - Mark as Active

Uploading a video now - Video begins at boot, and runs until I've given the windows available for each option along the way. Hitting escape at the end just routes me to reboot my computer.

Greg, what you mention about Vista being on the partition somewhere makes some sense. I'll be looking into that.

Be back with PB video link.

and voila!

video-2010-06-04-21-58-50.flv video by Sherjo311 - Photobucket

Follow the steps given earlier to try to start Windows 7. Post back results of each.

Gotta go now Greg.

What does the Gateway wallpaper behind startup repair tell you?

WinRE from Vista Recov or boot partition?

Wipe the HD and reinstall, as Vista bootloader is interfering and triggering repair?

Wouldn't hurt anyway at this point, unless Windows 7 Repair works first.