Can't install OS on my PC, can on others.

PwnFrnzy · 14 Dec 2010

Might be the HDD, either the disks inside are shot or it has a lot of bad sectors.
Try this method (the computer receiving the Windows 7 install will need to be running Windows XP Service Pack 2 or better.) :
1) Download ImgBurn and install.
ImgBurn - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
2) Put the Windows 7 disk in and open ImgBurn and click "Create Image File from Disk."
3) After you make the image, download and install 7-zip.
7-Zip - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
4) Find the image file, right click the image file, go down to 7-zip, then click "Extract files..."
5) After files are extracted go to the folder containing the extracted files and double-click "Setup"
(If you are doing this on a diffenet computer you will need to move the folder with the extracted files to the computer receiving the install.)
6) From there the install should start smoothly.

MCleveland · 14 Dec 2010

Yes, using Diskpart "Clean All" was the first thing I tried after you gave me that link.

Something a little different happened after that. I unplugged my card reader and Blu-ray drive while installing from USB and my motherboard booted up a lot faster this time. I'm not if those were conflicting somehow but I still got the end result of the blinking "_". I'll use a PS/2 mouse and keyboard now as I didn't last time.

Trying a different SATA port was the first thing I tried when this problem came up, but I moved it again anyways with the above result.

PwnFrnzy, I will also try your suggestion.

MCleveland · 15 Dec 2010

I finally got Windows 7 to install on the 2nd HDD after unplugging everything, installing via USB and fixing the MBR using this:
MBR - Restore Windows 7 Master Boot Record

Now my original HDD always gives me the error "The parameter is incorrect" when I try and access it in the new Windows 7 install. I'm currently running CHKDSK on it but it's going to take awhile. At least it's a step!

PwnFrnzy · 15 Dec 2010

Try putting the HDD you installed Windows 7 on on the Master cable instead of the Slave.

MCleveland · 15 Dec 2010

I have all SATA drives so I don't believe there is a master or slave. I'm trying to just take my files off of the drive with EASEUS Data Recovery Wizard Professional and format but the remaining time is 233 hours, 57 minutes and 28 seconds, and still rising after already running for an hour and 12 minutes.

PwnFrnzy · 16 Dec 2010

That just sucks big man, you have about a month's waiting time on that thing, my method worked for me 3 different times. . .

gregrocker · 16 Dec 2010

Is there any chance you cleaned your data HD? Was it plugged in during Diskpart cleaning?

If you'll post back a screenshot of your full maximized Disk Mgmt drive map and listings, using Snipping Tool in Start menu, we can take a look.

MCleveland · 16 Dec 2010

I don't believe it was connected during Diskpart, but it's a possibility. The time keeps going up but eventually drops quite a bit but then goes up again. Right now it's at 106:33:39 remaining. It's about 15% done but it's been running for 20:38:31. Here's the screen shot:

Disk 0 is my backup drive that I have some of my data backed up on (pictures, music, etc..)
Disk 1 is my drive I was able to install Windows 7 on and am using to try and recovery my data.
Disk 2 was my primary HDD I'm trying to save. As you can see, it's coming up as RAW.

gregrocker · 16 Dec 2010

You didn't wipe DISK2 as it still has the old SysReserved partition intact. though it is no longer Active so it can't interfere with booting Win7.

The RAW label often means corruption requiring Data Recovery since the OS is unrecoverable.

I don't know if we helped you attempt to repair this in another thread as there were multiple similar cases recently. Did you attempt to access your data to copy it out using Win7 DVD or Repair CD using this method: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console or by using Paragon Rescue CD? http://www.paragon-software.com/home/rk-express/

I hope your data is recoverable as it must be important to wait over a hundred hours to recover - have you confirmed any of it is in fact intact? Once you get it resolved one way or the other I would wipe the HD using Diskpart: Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

MCleveland · 16 Dec 2010

I can't use the copy and paste method because when I tried to access the drive it says "Drive Letter: is unaccessable. The parameter is incorrect." I haven't tried the Paragon Rescue CD, but I'll give it a shot.

Yeah, I'm going to wipe it afterwords to make sure to start from scratch. I can't really tell if anything is still on it, I'm just hoping there is, haha.