Windows 7 Installation Errors : Troubleshoot Step by Step

    Windows 7 Installation Errors : Troubleshoot Step by Step

    Windows 7 Installation Errors : Troubleshoot Step by Step

    How to Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Errors Step by Step
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Issues
    If you are having a hard time getting Windows 7 to complete the installation process, study the information and steps outlined in the tutorials linked below to sort through each in-turn and hopefully find a solution to the particular issue that is causing the problem(s) and get Windows 7 installed successfully.

    General Information
    1) If the installer is one you acquired, perhaps the ISO file is bad and another will work; or if you burned it to DVD yourself, another burn is needed, use ImgBurn at no greater than x4 speed with a verify.
    2) If the PC is capable, add the installation files to a USB stick and boot that to install.
    These are here for the basic, very useful information they contain.
    3) This is starting to become less an issue with Windows 7 and todays motherboards but it is still occasionally a help; remove all but 2GB of RAM and try the install like that.

    PC RAM is extremely susceptible to stray, static electric charges generated by being physically handled; be sure to unplug/power-down the PC and bleed off any residual charge using the PC power button before you remove it.

    4) Test each stick of RAM individually for at least one complete pass though overnight would be best.
    5) Use the HDD manufacturer's diagnostic tools to run full tests on the HDD.
    6) Use Option Two of this one to run CHKDSK form a command prompt at boot.
    7) In the PC BIOS make sure the "Storage Controller" is set to AHCI mode rather than IDE mode or if it's set to AHCI set it to PATA/IDE, try it both ways.

    8) Perhaps install in IDE mode and enable AHCI mode after the install completes.
    9) To rule out HDD Master Boot Record format errors, boot the Windows 7 installation media to diskpart and run the clean command, it takes only seconds to complete; once the clean finishes, exit diskpart and use the Windows 7 installer to create and format a single 100GB partition for the installation.

    If that doesn't work, after another clean, use diskpart to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to see if that works, use Step Two #2 in the SSD/HDD tutorial for reference.

    You can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

    10) If you have ever had Linux installed to the HDD in any way, a simple clean command will not over-write the Grub boot-loader, you must use the full clean all command to completely over-write the Grub loader so Windows will install.
    11) These contain additional information you may find a use for.
    12) If you have access to a second PC, use Method Three to install to the HDD on another PC and when that's complete move the HDD to the target PC to finish-up.

    Additional Information
    Not really related to Installation errors though useful information all the same.
    If you want to completely wipe, over-write the entire Hard Disk Drive of any possible format or Grub corruption, malware infection, for security purposes or just to get the best possible space to install Windows to, have a look through these.
    If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post to this same tutorial using the orange "Post Reply" button and someone will be glad to help.


    Enjoy! :)




  1. Posts : 17,322
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #1

    Nice work Ted, That will save a lot of repeat typing and linking.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Thank you my friend Derek! :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 237
    Windows 7x32 Home Premium & XP SP3 x86
       #3

    Thank you for putting this all in one nice neat package.

    It is an excellent summary of what has been going on here.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hello Dusty, I'm glad you find it useful and thanks for the kind words.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1
    Win7 Professional 64bit
       #5

    Almost given up :( win7 reinstall errors !


    Hi folks,

    I have a lenovo Edge 14 laptop 500GB, i5 processor, 8GB RAM - standard build type 0578-KPG machine, 2-3 yrs old and working perfectly fine till a few weeks ago.

    Recently started rebooting into "startup repair mode" - which takes 3-4 hours and is only a temporary fix. When it restarts - goes back to "startup repair"

    Have tried the following (several times!!) :
    1. Used USB Win7 Pro installation disk to do a "repair install" and a "clean install". Installation is perfect with no errors.
    2. Loaded a system image - made when laptop was absolutely fresh (only OEM installed win 7 pro on it)
    3. Tested HDD with chkdsk, RAM test

    Unfortunately, nothing has worked. After every install still get the "windows starting... " followed by BLUE scree of death. ERROR DETAILS :
    STOP : c000021a {Fatal System Error}
    The initial session process terminated unexpectedly with a status of 0x00000000000 (0xc0000001 0x00100720). The system has been shut down.

    After this goes back to the startup repair loop... Will spare the details of the dozens of hours trying to fix this... have trawled through several forums, but nothing has worked. Any help is HIGHLY HIGHLY appreciated.

    Thanks all,
    AC
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Hello Win7ontheEdge, welcome to Seven Forums!


    Have a look through the information in this tutorial at the link below for some additional ideas and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.



      My Computer


 

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