please don't laugh...

Interesting....

This happens with both Windows 7 installation and Vista correct?

~Lordbob

mypcbroke said:

Since doing the DoD wipe, I have been getting this error everytime I try to format via installer. I might try formatting via PW instead

As of this moment I know that there's something terribly wrong with your laptop. It might be your laptop's motherboard (specifically the storage controller part), or your harddisk. Doing wipes with PW won't get you anywhere (I think wiping your disk more than 3 times is enough to prove that point), neither formatting it with PW...

If you have another harddisk that's compatible with your laptop, you might want to try and switch the harddisk. If switching harddisk doesn't solve your problem, I suggest you make that trip to the nearest Acer Service center...

zzz2496

Since the format failure error is new, let's use DISKPART to format and run chkdsk again at the same time. A failing HD may reveal itself in some redundant testing.

Boot DVD, press shift F10 to open a Command Line, type:
DISKPART
SELECT DISK 0
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
FORMAT FS=NTFS
ASSIGN letter=C
EXIT (only exits Diskpart)
CHKDSK C: /f
EXIT

Now try Win7 and Vista installs again to formatted HD, if it will.

Next I'd run GWScan Extended HD diag/repair test again, too, and memtest86 overnight to stress test the RAM to be thorough with the hardware testing.

Edit: I see you're getting a format with Vista DVD, so let's see what install to Unallocated Space does, something I also suggested 3-4 pages ago. Next use Diskpart commands above to format and Disk Check, try both again. Then finish the day by running GWScan again and memtest86 overnight.

How much RAM do you have?

Then on to either imaging or swapping HD's.

mypcbroke said:

Lordbob75 said:

Interesting....

This happens with both Windows 7 installation and Vista correct?

~Lordbob

Just tried formatting with the Vista DVD instead, I did not receive an error. So, I'm following your previous steps with Vista right now.

Ah, thats good news then. So it might be a bad installation disk.

Let us know how this turns out.

~Lordbob

Bare Foot Kid said:

It looks as you are doing an upgrade install, if so this is the method you need to use, at this link below.

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version



Don't mind him and his comment, he's an 4sshole anyway.

Use the above method but I would do a CUSTOM install at this stage other than that you are going great dont listen to the knockers.
This site is here to help people like yourself who have problems and as long as you want we will be helping you

Her last pic shows 3 partitions. Where did the 3rd one come from?

likely Unallocated, since some suggested making C 100gb

The latest error

Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next
phase of installation. To install Windows, restart installation

seems to indicate chkdsk, memtest86 and resetting the CMOS.

I believe you've already reset the CMOS at least once, and are about to chkdsk during partitioning and run Memtest86 overnight to stress test your RAM.

If you have more than 2gb RAM, removing one stick may also help.

tw33k said:

Her last pic shows 3 partitions. Where did the 3rd one come from?

That would be the 100mb system reserved partition that windows made