Windows Vista to windows 7

[Nano3]

Working on my computer... Attached is a cell phone picture of the problem. Do i need a new HDD? If i press the F2 key it will boot up into Windows. This particular PC is running Windows Vista (Shivers) I'm thinking of possibly running Windows 7 on it. I have tried the startup repair... doesn't do anything. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gregrocker]

Your picture didn't upload, so please give us the exact wording of the error message and what happens when you try to startup.

 

[Nano3]

Sorry... thanks for the prompt response

 

[DocBrown]

Your pic did not attach. What brand & size & type of HD are you talking about ?

Describe the problem, Please ?

 

[Nano3]

It's a pavilion a6242n PC. the guts are original. Can you guys see the uploaded images now?

 

[Ztruker]

The pic shows a message that says "Hard disk failure is imminent". If this was my computer, I would get a new HD (same size or larger) and try to clone the existing drive to the new one using any one of a variety of free hard drive tools. HDClone is one though the free version limits the speed quite a bit.

 

[Nano3]

st3320820as :Hard disk failure is imminent.
Please backup your hard disk and have it replaced

 

[gregrocker]

Can you get your data off of the HD now? Do it.

Next burn to CD and run full diagnostics/repair scan for your make HD, as it can salvage the HD in some cases: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.

Cloning is an excellent idea if the data is still intact. It is often included with purchase of a new HD, or you can save a Win7 backup image now to use in case it dies before you get to clone it.

 

[Nano3]

The thing is... when i press the F2, it boots up to windows fine...

 

[Nano3]

So i replaced the HDD... The original HDD was a SATA. I have an extra IDE HDD lying around. i set it up... windows XP started to boot up... Problem fixed. Now, I want to install Windows 7. went into BIOS and set up CD as first boot priority. Second, The HDD... for some reason it will not give me the option to boot from disk... Any Ideas?

 

[gregrocker]

Windows 7 installer is on a DVD, not CD. Set accordingly: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/ht/bootcddvd.htm

Make sure your IDE HD registers correctly in BIOS setup.

For the cleanest install, use Custom>Drive Options to delete all partitions, create New one(s) as you wish, then format before installing WIn7 to first partition.

Suggest you don't have old HD plugged in during install as it will establish a dual boot with SYstem MBR on old HD. You can plug it back in later to copy over files, giving it a letter in Disk Mgmt if it doesn't show up.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Another option is to save a Win7 backup image of the failing HD externally, then reimage it to the new HD using booted DVD Repair console>Recover using an Image.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

 

[Nano3]

Correction: I have a IDE DVD drive and a SATA HDD... how do i boot from my IDE DVD drive?

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug the failing SATA HD until you finish your WIn7 install.

Set DVD drive first to boot in BIOS setup, then new HD.

Boot from Win7 DVD and install to the new HD using Custom>Drive Options to delete, create New and format.

 

[Nano3]

My problem is now getting the DVD drive to work. i set it to boot from DVD drive frist and then to HDD... im guessing my problem is as you guys said. IDE HD registers... thats my problem. i cannot find the option to do that

 

[gregrocker]

You cannot find the option to do what exactly?

What happens when you try to boot the DVD?

 

[Nano3]

I went to a friends house and used his external USB DVD drive, Got windows on the HDD... my problem now is getting the DVD drive to work on the computer. It's a SATA DVD drive and i feel that the settings in the BIOS is what the problem is. Again, My harddrive on the computer is IDE and that is set as master.

 

[Nano3]

BIOS

 

[DocBrown]

I went to a friends house and used his external USB DVD drive, Got windows on the HDD... my problem now is getting the DVD drive to work on the computer. It's a SATA DVD drive and i feel that the settings in the BIOS is what the problem is. Again, My harddrive on the computer is IDE and that is set as master.

Have you tried the DVD SATA data cable in the other sata MB connections starting with the yellow/orange one ? What is the BOOT order setting under the BOOT tab in the bios settings ?

 

[Nano3]

I have tried the other slots...

 

[DocBrown]

Since there is no floppy installed, try moving CD/DVd to 1st position & HD to 2nd position