Solved Windows 7 stuck at "setup is preparing your computer for first use"

[Lemming]

Windows 7 stuck at "setup is preparing your computer for first use"

I bought a new computer consisting of the following components

motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0
graphics card: Sapphire dual-x R2 270x
CPU: AMD FX 8350

the rest off the components I took from my old PC and should all be okay. (600W power supply, 4GB DDR3 1600 Mhz RAM, 3TB HDD)

The problem is that whenever I try to install Windows 7 64bit the installation stops when it reaches the "setup is preparing your computer for first use". I have tried all I can think of that might cause problems during the installation. I have installed missing drivers, making a clean installation on the hard drive, I have tried a different and smaller HDD, changing the new graphics card for the old one I have, and I have tried booting in Legacy mode, but so fare nothing works.

I hope somebody out there has an Idea how to fix it.

 

[matts6887]

Believe it or not; i would say its the fact that you only have 4gb of Ram. Usually for most windows 7 installs you want at least 8gb of ram for optimal performace. Also, if you can, do a mem test using the memtest program for which i will post the link here:

Its not called memtest in windows 7 but here is how to do a memory diagnostic test:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/diagnosing-memory-problems-on-your-computer

 

[Golden]

4gb is ample for Windows 7.....certainly not a minimum requirement.

A better memory test is Memtest86+

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

 

[matts6887]

Doh!

 

[Lemming]

Thanks for the input, but my old pc used the Windows 7 64bit system too. It did so just a few days ago using the exact same set of RAM. So I don't think that’s it but I will give it a try as soon as i get access to another pc where I can create the memtest on a USB.

 

[matts6887]

Yea that's the best bet at this point to run memtest

 

[Golden]

Is the installation off an original DVD media?

 

[AddRAM]

Exactly what I was going to ask, what are you using ( be very specific ) to do the install ? Have you used it successfully in the past ?

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. Since it's an EFI BIOS you'll need to decide if you want UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS. If UEFI follow these special steps for Install, otherwise enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module to proceed with normal install:

Set DVD drive first to boot, HD second, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into Windows 7 installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here. I would use a fresh ISO written with tool in Step 2 if it fails again. I use 32 bit Win7 for less than 4gb RAM with better results.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10, or enter System Recovery Options to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt. You are creating the partition here for the purpose of wiping the HD and marking Active which overcomes certain install failures.

 

[clselby]

Believe it or not; i would say its the fact that you only have 4gb of Ram. Usually for most windows 7 installs you want at least 8gb of ram for optimal performace. Also, if you can, do a mem test using the memtest program for which i will post the link here:

Its not called memtest in windows 7 but here is how to do a memory diagnostic test:

Diagnosing memory problems on your computer

Ive installed with 2 gigs of ram just fine.

 

[gregrocker]

2gb RAM is where the minimum is normally set, however I have a laptop which runs Win7 pretty smoothly with 1gb RAM, although I don't use gadgets on it and only protect with Defender.

I prefer 32 bit for 4gb RAM or less for better performance.

That said, on newer hardware 4gb sometimes seems too skimpy depending upon your needs. If it hangs or bogs at all I would not hesitate to upgrade to 6-8 or more if needed. Win7 should never hang or bog at all on adequate hardware with a perfect install.

 

[AddRAM]

I`ve installed it with as little as 512 MB and as much as 32 GB, I don`t think that`s the issue here.

 

[Lemming]

I am using a genuine installation disk. I have also tried another windows 7 disk that I know have been working in the past and i got the same results. Currently I am trieng to instal "Win Home Prem 7 SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OIE 611 DVD" or at lest that’s what it says on the box it came in.

To gregrocker
Thanks for trying to help, but I already tried doing a clean installation, and instilling in both UEFI and legacy mode. non of it made any difference.

I am using the RAM from my old PC. it's a set of two corsair CM3X2G1600C9DHX and they worked fine a few days ago on another pc running windows 7 64bit.

 

[gregrocker]

Try the steps I gave you which overcome 90% of install failures.

 

[Lemming]

gregrock I already tried the step you are describing (in fact I think I originally got the idea from another of your posts on this web page) with no luck so I have little hope of it working on a second try, but I will try again as I have few other ideas what to do.

 

[gregrocker]

How exactly does Setup fail in the final steps? Does it just quit working, give an error, go blank?

If it's in the Drivers-loading phase it needs to be using a VGA monitor to be sure it will load driver and continue displaying. There is also a workaround for checking for drivers which may be failing in Device Manager during the install: Device Manager - Access During Windows 7 Installation

 

[Lemming]

The screen keeps displaying "Setup is preparing your computer for first use" it is not frozen. It just doesn't move on. It sometimes it gets to the next step "setup is checking video performance" but then it halts there. One time I got as far as the desktop, but the pathfinder did not work, and I have not been able to get that far ever since.

In the device manager all drivers appears to be okay, I ran the memory test with no errors, and it did not help to use a VGA monitor.

 

[gregrocker]

See what happens if you give it more time to complete.

What pathfinder didn't work the time you got to the desktop?

Can you get to Windows UPdates to run all Important and Optional, with reboots, keep checking for more Updates until there are no more. You may need a performance Update for that unit, or a driver.

Read over the steps in the Clean Reinstall tutorial in my signature pic below to see what works best.

 

[Lemming]

I only got that fare once and I was basically unable to do anything. When I tried accessing any drive or folder I got an error message stating something like "pathfinder is not working"

I am try the clean install again right now and crossing my fingers that it will work this time.

 

[Lemming]

Still no luck. The installation won't move on from "setup is preparing your computer for first use". If i wait a few hours the computer reboots with a black screen where nothing is happening.