Solved Issue with Re-Install of Windows 7

[gregrocker]

The solution is almost surely in the dozens of steps we provided earlier this year, almost all of which were ignored and never responded to.

An example is in my last post where I specifically told you how as a last resort you could install to the SSD alone in another PC and then move it back, even providing you with hard-to-find Paragon freeware CD to adjust it to boot on different hardware.

If you're having problems performing any of the steps let us know.

 

[flightmedic]

I have followed all the suggestions except for swapping the hard drive to a new machine to see if W7 will load there. I was pretty frustrated and started using my primary machine until my wife's broke on her now. Now I'm trying to fix it. I apologize for not responding after your last post.

I have cleaned and reformated, though I'm not quite sure I did it correctly.

This is my 2nd laptop, and has a single HDD. My DV7 has the HDD/SSD combo with a second HDD slot.

I honestly don't understand the difference between SATA and ACHI, or what the purpose behind a RAID setup is.


Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

I would not use RAID as we only see problems with RAID here. Try AHCI setting in BIOS setup.

Compare the reinstall you did to the perfect install in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 (same for retail). I'd do it over if it varied much, especially how drivers are best handled in Win7 which is not at all like XP.

 

[flightmedic]

I just tried it with no success.

The USB key finds drives in the other laptop so its specific to this laptop.

How can I switch from RAID? I checked the settings in regedit and startup for IDE and ATAPI are both set for "0". As I've read that will have AHCI at startup and not RAID. If not, I do not know how to disable RAID.

Jim

 

[gregrocker]

If you don't have a prompt for a RAID controller at boot, then it is normally handled in the SATA controller setting in BIOS setup, unless you see another RAID setting. I would read the Manual on the PC or mobo's Support Downloads webpage to be sure.

Confirm you performed every single step I've given you earlier, especially in Post #4. Do not skip any steps as this is often the fix.

 

[flightmedic]

Steps I've done:

1) Cleaned, Formated and then attempted install

2) As shown in the pictures I can find no settings in BIOS for SATA or RAID settings

3) I have tried popping out the USB drive as suggested with no success

4) There is NO acceleration SSD set up on this computer.

5) I have also tried burning a DVD @ 4x and still get same error

6) I have not tried installing with the HD in another computer. My question with this is can I just pop this into the 2nd HDD slot on my DV7 and do this? Sort of as a dual boot.

7) I have tried redownloading the ISO and using ISO burn to make the USB key.


I guess I'm not sure where to go from where. Because I can't boot, I'm not sure how to find out the MoBo info. The HP site is of no help with specifics about model numbers and such.

This really was a trial run to make sure I could load Windows after I get the SSD to install as primary HD next week. Didn't want to spend the money if the computer is a dud.

I was hoping I could make changed from command prompt using shift f10 at the windows startup screen to make whatever changes I need.

Thanks,

I am trying to be interactive. And I do appreciate the time you all are taking to help me. I would not be opposed to PayPal and "hiring" someone to help me fix this. I'm not sure if that is allowed or if the idea offends the forum, I'm just putting that out there.

Jim

 

[gregrocker]

Did you reset the BIOS then define an Active Primary NTFS partition after wiping the HD in Post #4? This resolves almost all installation problems. I'd re-run the steps there if you have any doubt one was skipped. You said earlier you weren't sure you'd done it correctly. You only need to follow the steps given, ask back if any questions.

If the installer is bootable in another PC and shows the drives then it should be sound, but I'd still try another ISO if you haven't already. Use How To Use UltraISO Software To Create Bootable USB Flash Drive

I'd also try the SSD as this prob may be HD specific.

 

[flightmedic]

I'm reformating as we speak and will report back. Have this thread pulled up on my other laptop and following along as I do it.

I'm ordering the Samsung SSD on monday and I should have it tuesday. I'd take it to a shop but the local PC shop has a bad habit of overcharging for breaking the machines.

Jim

 

[flightmedic]

Clarification: by "reset the BIOS" do you mean taking out the watch battery on the MoBo?

 

[gregrocker]

Clarification: by "reset the BIOS" do you mean taking out the watch battery on the MoBo?

How To Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS)

 

[flightmedic]

Cleared the BIOS, still with no success. in cmd, defined active. Still no success.

I'm hoping that the SSD will allow me to be more successful.

My plan is to attempt to put W7 on the SSD tuesday. If not successful will do it on my other laptop and then use Paragon to move it over to this one.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[gregrocker]

We're glad to help. Let us know how it goes.

 

[flightmedic]

Adding the SSD fixed it. I had no problems installing W7 from DVD that was burned as directed in this thread.

I appreciate everyone's help.

I have 1 further question. I set this up as a clean install and am currently installing drivers and such. When I went to the HP support site and scanned the laptop for driver updates, there are several options available for each. Such as, USB 3.0, there are 3 different drivers avail from different companies. How do I know which one I should install? Also am I safe to do a BIOS update as the HP support site says is available; or should I follow the "if it ain't broke, don't touch it" approach?

I appreciate everyone's expertise.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[gregrocker]

Look at the BIOS updates to see what it is for - you may have to download it to browse into the Read Me file. If it doesn't fix something you need then I'd not bother. But it's up to you.

Have you already run all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates, after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)? This is how drivers and important Performance and Security Updates not in the installer are delivered by Win7.

After each requested reboot go back to check for more updates, then when no more are available check for any drivers still missing in Device Manager, which can be imported from the PC or Device's Support Downloads webpage.

If you're unsure of the exact make/model you can trace it using Hardware Identification or just install each choice until you find the one which works. Had you run the Belarc Advisor audit in tutorial it would have provided you with a list.

I hope you followed the other steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which assures a perfect install to the extent you did.

 

[flightmedic]

Followed all instructions in that tutorial. The only thing I didn't mess with too much with the msconfig for startup, mainly because there are things from intel there I didn't want to disable without investigating what they were a little more.

It took me 4 windows updates to get everything running. I guess I need to be more patient.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Jim

 

[gregrocker]

I wouldn't have written that you can disable everything in msconfig>Startup and >Services (after Hiding All MS Services) besides your AV, any sync and Flash Player updater if there would be any problems. This is not XP.

 

[flightmedic]

I wouldn't have written that you can disable everything in msconfig>Startup and >Services (after Hiding All MS Services) besides your AV, any sync and Flash Player updater if there would be any problems. This is not XP.

I meant no offense. Ill do it when I get to my job site. Thanks for your help and knowledge. I may be overly cautious because I have a knack for bricking technology.

Jim

 

[gregrocker]

No offense taken. As it also says in the tutorial, you can google any listing in msconfig to see exactly what it does, how others have dealt with it, and that it isn't needed at Startup.

Most of these are updaters which spy on us to gather marketing information which is often then sold. You get the same notification when you actually run the program yourself instead of letting it run as a freeloader all of the time.