Solved Installation of Windows 7 freezes on Dell Dimension 5150

[minas2]

Hallo

I try to install Windows 7 Home Premium on a Dell Dimension 5150 running XP SP3.
According Microsoft 7 Upgrade Advisor everything fits and is compatible (incl. the Radeon X600 256MB HyperMemory card). Memory is at 3.5GB RAM. Display is an Asus VW224T, recommanded for Vista (more details I have listed on System Specs).
After the files installation and expansion, when the pc shutdowns and restarts for the 1st time the display freezes, i.e. turns black with the message "Windows ist starting" but nothing happens any more. I have to cold start the system amd choose "run previus windows"-option to get back to Windows XP

Dimension 5150 is NOT listed on Windows 7 compatibility list... but I have read old forum threads that Windows 7 runs smoothly on it.

Any idea how I should proceed, please? Thank you

 

[Ztruker]

Remove all but 2GB of ram and try it again.

 

[gregrocker]

I'd install 32 bit on that hardware. Did you burn the DVD yourself?

Try wiping the HD with "Clean" command to clear the boot sector: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If it still stalls out at same point try entering Device Manager during install to uninstall any devices (likely Display) showing in error (!) so install will complete and you can update it from desktop. Device Manager - Access During Windows 7 Installation

This problem can also occur if there is any kind of TV card or projector outputted that is starting up at that moment diverting the display to that unplugged device. If so unplug the card, confirm correct display is set in BIOS.

 

[Ztruker]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/15856-device-manager-access-during-windows-7-installation.html

 

[minas2]

It is an original disk

I'd install 32 bit on that hardware. Did you burn the DVD yourself?

Try wiping the HD with "Clean" command to clear the boot sector: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If it still stalls out at same point try entering Device Manager during install to uninstall any devices (likely Display) showing in error (!) so install will complete and you can update it from desktop. Device Manager - Access During Windows 7 Installation

This problem can also occur if there is any kind of TV card or projector outputted that is starting up at that moment diverting the display to that unplugged device. If so unplug the card, confirm correct display is set in BIOS.

 

[minas2]

besides c: and d: drives there was also an ubuntu partition, which I now removed. No improvement. I still hang with the dark screen and the message "Windows is satrting". That's the message you get normally starting w7 just before the black screen gets the 4 light spots which form later the Windows logo.

By the way: Now with the system crashed and a semifinished W7 installation booting the mashine I got a boot manager (!) where I have to choose QUICKLY (within 1-2 sec) if I want to continue with the setup (which brings the PC to crash again) or I want to continue using the previous system (=XP). Does anybody know how to step back the whole W7 installation, remove the boot manager so I get again a stable (XP) modus, please?
Once I am there - can restore the old way of work - I will continue with all other suggestions. Thank you

 

[theog]

besides c: and d: drives there was also an ubuntu partition,

All Linux code must be deleted using the CLEAN ALL command.As you have had linux on the HD you need do a Clean all & full format.

Try Cleaning the HD Drive, using the CLEAN ALL command in Step One in this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[minas2]

Uisng Clean All

Hi theog
Thank you for your reply, I will. Actually I try to get back to a stable system first, w/o the boot manager options rerun the old system (XP) or continue wiht the W7 setup. Once I am there I will continue with your advice. Kr, minas2

 

[minas2]

Clean All not feasible(?) in my case

Hi gregrocker
Reading ""SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation" and the associated entries: they describe that booting from the DVD " ... , then at the "Language" screen hold the "Shift" key and hit the F10 hot-key to open a command window...." I do not get any "Languiage" screen. W7 installation runs by itself copying the files etc. So to BOOTSTART as described, W7 should give me the chance to, but it freezes before. So Clean All is nice but I do not get a chance for.

 

[gregrocker]

Where did you get WIn7 DVD? Are you using Factory Recovery disks from your computer maker rather than the Win7 Installation DVD?

You can also use the System Repair Disc - Create

 

[minas2]

W7 dvd

It is an original MS W7 Home Edition DVD allowing 3 upgrades from Vista or XP. I used it already succesfully in 2 cases (from XP to 7) and now I need to use it (for the 3rd and last) time.
I do not get any chance for any of the advices about Clean Install. Booting frm the DVD I get the black screen with "hit any key..." than files are loaded, then expanded, than the black screen with "Windows is starting" then the crash.
I am left with this annoying boot manager asking for "use previous installation" or "continue with the setup".
I need to get rid of it and return to a stable XP-status (thus w/o this boot manager) first.
But I will try the 2GB suggestion first.

 

[minas2]

W7 Installation on Dell Dimension 5150 succeeded

Hi
I just made it following Ztruker's suggestion. It was even written on the bios setup menu that some os installations may fail if more than 2GB RAM installed...
Would like to thank you all for your time and the good suggestions!
The thread is now closed.
Regards, Minas

 

[minas2]

Thank you all

Ztruker's suggestion worked smoothly: Remove all but 2GB RAM and try again. The installation succedded w/o any problem.

Thank you all guys for the time and suggestions!

Regards
minas2

 

[Ztruker]

Great. Glad that helped. Good luck.

Once Windows 7 is installed, you can put the rest of the memory back and it should work fine.

 

[Pclemmensen]

Same problem, it is stopping when loading DISK.SYS

Minas2, how goes the install. I have been having almost the exact same problem, and I am very curious if you got the issue resolved.

In my case, I was able to reboot in debug mode and could see that the system was locking up when the operating system was loading DISK.SYS. Do don't know if there is a driver issue with the CD/DVD, or if it's with the Mirrord (Raid 1) hard drive.

 

[gregrocker]

Win7 doesn't much like RAID as all we see are complaints and no positive comments on RAID here.

If working through these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot
can't get it started then I'd consider unRAIDing it from the controller which pops up at boot, and in the SATA controller settings in BIOS setup, remove one HD to clean reinstall to target HD, afterwards plug back in other HD to use for storage for files and Win7 backup image.

 

[minas2]

Windows 7 and Dell 5150

Minas2, how goes the install. I have been having almost the exact same problem, and I am very curious if you got the issue resolved.

In my case, I was able to reboot in debug mode and could see that the system was locking up when the operating system was loading DISK.SYS. Do don't know if there is a driver issue with the CD/DVD, or if it's with the Mirrord (Raid 1) hard drive.

As already written: ... Ztruker's suggestion worked smoothly: Remove all but 2GB RAM and try again. The installation succeded w/o any problem. ... It was even written on the bios setup menu that some os installations may fail if more than 2GB RAM installed...
After the installation complete successfully you can again add the additional RAM.
Regards, Minas