Is the HD still detected in BIOS setup under Storage devices?
Are there hardware diagnostics in the BIOS? What's the HD's SMART reading? Can you test RAM? If necessary RAM - Test with Memtest86+
What I'd do next is write the latest installer iSO to flash stick to try booting that.
May I suggest, Greg asked earlier if it would boot on another machine. I didn't see an answer to that question. Try booting to the Installer on another computer and taking it to the point where it says where do you want to install Windows. If you get to that point, close it out and remove the DVd/USB. That will tell you that there is a problem with the DVD or with your computer.
gregrocker: Sorry about taking so long to respond. Yes, the HD still shows up in the BIOS. I didn't see any diagnostics in the BIOS when I checked last night but I'll check again tonight. I haven't had a chance to run memtest+ but I plan to do that tonight and let it run overnight. I can't imagine that it is RAM related because there hadn't been any hardware issues prior to it dying (or even any hardware errors that suggest potential hardware issues) but I suppose it is possible?
essenbe: Yes, I did try to use the DVD in my desktop and it booted correctly from the DVD there.
90% of the time the failure to boot a disk is because it isn't being timed right, not vigorous enough, not enough time given for it to load, etc. If you're getting the loading bar then I'd let it sit for an hour if necessary.
Is there CPU and HD activity, and is the HD detected in BIOS setup? Set HD first to boot, trigger DVD drive using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key.
Try booting the flash stick installer.
There is CPU and HD activity when it first starts to boot and then no more HD activity once it gets to the logo/loading bar. The HD is detected in BIOS setup.
I've attempted to boot from USB installer and DVD. Both times, I use the BIOS boot-selection (F11 for me) to select the boot device. For the USB and DVD, there is drive-access activity up until it gets to the loading bar, and then no further drive-access activity. This is true for the HD as well - when I try to boot in either Safe Mode or Startup Recovery, there is drive-access activity until it gets to the logo and then no further drive-access activity.
I've left the laptop at the loading bar for over 2-3 hours, as I went out for dinner, with no success.
Well I'd want to test the HD and RAM to clear the hardware, then what I'd probably do next is force a reinstall by Quick wiping the HD from HD maker's HD Diagnostic boot disk which will boot itself, or booting Partition Wizard CD which also boots itself to Wipe the HD.
This will force the installer to boot itself to Clean Reinstall OEM . You can also consider running MSI Factory Recovery if it will run from it's hotlink at boot or you made the disks.
All of the links to do these and rescue your files with self-booting Paragon Rescue CD are in Fix Unbootable Win7
Hi all, sorry for the late reply.
I've ran memtest and it has found no errors. I've also used partitionwizard to remove all of the partitions and tried re-installing, to no effect. I don't know what else to do. I think I'll have to take it in to the OEM and hope they can fix it.
To force the installer to autostart you need to wipe the HD as I stated, not just delete partitions: Partition Wizard Wipe Disk - Video Help.
Once you do this what happens when you boot the installer? It should start itself. What happens exactly?
If not try booting the installer on another PC to confirm it's sound.
If so test your hardware using HD Diagnostic CD scan and RAM - Test with Memtest86+
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