Windows 7: Installing Windows 7 on blank hard drive

I just got a new computer, new hard drive and everything. I attempted to install Windows 7 (full version, NOT an upgrade) by putting the disc in, starting the computer, and booting from the BIOS. The monitor shows a bar that says that the Windows files are loading. Then it displays the little Windows logo. And finally it comes to a blue-ish screen with a bird on it (which I have been told is the sign-on screen) with a cursor. Nothing else. I've tried pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE and running Safe Mode. Nothing works.

I have heard that the solution might have something to do with putting certain drivers onto a flash drive. Is that true? If so, um... explain. If not, explain that too.

Thanks!!

Welcome to SevenForums,

You might want to follow those tutorials:

-Clean Install Windows 7

-SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Hi & welcome to the forum!

The same thing happened to me... I even get the Seven copy back to the shop and, friendly, they gave me another... Same thing...
In fact, i just had to wait a bit longer and the installation - finally - began...
I made a new install this week on my pc and i had to wait again (i mean maybe one minute, which seems very long when you're waiting in front of your screen...)

Good luck!

If you need to add drivers take a look at this tutorial:

SATA Driver - Load in Windows 7 or Vista Setup

Physically remove the disk to which you are NOT installing Windows 7.

Boot from the Win 7 DVD.

When you get the very 1st screen requiring you to hit the enter key/make a selection or whatever, then use the SHIFT + F10 key combo to get to a command prompt.

Once you are there, then follow the instructions for "cleaning" a drive. This clean operation will take a long time. Go get a beer.

After the clean is finished and you are back to the install as a consequence of the EXIT commands,
then continue with the Win 7 install.

Now be patient. Be very patient. Go get a short beer. When you come back the installation procedure will have advanced.



· type DiskPart, Enter key
· type List disk, Enter key
note the numeral of the disk you want to clean
for example purposes, I’ll be using the numeral 0
· type Select disk 0, Enter key
· type Detail disk, Enter key
this info will let you know if you selected correctly
· type Clean ALL, Enter key
your entire disk is being overwritten with zeros.
This can take a considerable amount of time
· type EXIT, Enter key (only after Clean is finished)
· type EXIT, Enter key (this gets you back where you were)

==============================================
===============================================
GO TO A COMMAND PROMPT USING YOUR WIN 7 DVD
■Boot up from your Windows 7 DVD.
■At the first dialog window, press SHIFT + F10 key combo
■You will have a X:> command prompt
X: is a ram drive created by Windows 7.

Thanks for the quick response, but you must have not thoroughly read my post. Both of the links you gave require that a certain screen pops up (Step 3 in your first link, Step 1 in your second) asking you to select a language. My boot up never gets that far. So if you could go over the details I provided and offer me help that gets me to the appropriate screen, I would appreciate it. And yes, my computer surpasses all of the specs listed in the first link.

As for the SATA link, same problem. It's not that the setup's not finding my hard drive. It's that it's never reaching the "setup" phase.

Hi again!

Did you try waiting 2-3 minutes...
I know it could seem stupid but...

Where did you get Windows 7? Verify the DVD using ImgBurn by loading ISO, make sure it says "Bootable" in text at left, then load DVD and Verify it against ISO. If necessary burn again using Imgburn at 4 x with Verify - it never fails.

Does the new HD register in BIOS correctly? Make sure you have the latest BIOS version update, reset BOS to defaults, set SATA controller setting to AHCI first, then IDE if necessary.

Next try removing all but 2gb of RAM for install, then swap RAM, test RAM using memtest86 for 5-6 passes.

You might just need to wait longer as suggested. It has taken up to 30 minutes that I can remember.

Ha, yeeeah. Should've tried earlier. It took more like 10 but it worked. Pretty weird. Thanks!!

Glad to hear that the hurdle is cleared.

With any software truly patience is a virtue.