Installation Crashes

Update: Problem solved - turned out it was caused by SpeedStep, a couplr of bios settings that stepped down the multiplier whilst the CPU is under light usage. Turning this off solved the problem. Now if I could only figure out how to put the little "Solved" prefix on this post..

Just as countless other people are doing, I'm trying to install Windows 7 7600 and having crashing problems, so I effectively can't install it..

I used EASEUS Partition Manager to create a ~20GB partition from free space on my current system drive, an old Maxtor 80GB one. Upon trying to install W7 onto this, I get to anywhere within the installation process, and it will crash, at an apparently random time. Sometimes it goes through the first install, restarts as required, then will crash on the second section. A further restart will ask me to begin the installation again.

The crashes essentially involve the computer losing all visual output, and the monitor goes on to standby, until I restart the computer myself. I am assuming the system has crashed at this point, although it's possible things are still happening with no video output.

I have tried creating a similar small partition on my newer SATA 320GB WD drive, only with the same results.

I have removed 3 of the 4 GB of RAM, with no luck.

The exact same issue occured with both the 32 and 64 bit RCs, each burned twice, at slow speeds, so I don't think it is a dodgy ISO problem.

I have removed my X-Fi, with still no luck.

I can't format a whole drive and try installing on that as I need to retain my XP installation, in the event that I cannot get Windows 7 working and have to continue using XP for school work.

If there's any more info that could help, please ask. I've included my system specifications in my profile.

Thanks a lot

Hello davik, welcome to forum.

Sorry to tell you this but 20 gigs seems to be awfully little to install Windows 7. I know Microsoft tells 20 gigs is the minimum (16 gigs for 32-bit), but even if you manage to install, the space is simply not enough. The fact it didn't work from USB key supports this, though it must not be the problem.

If you search this Installation & Setup subforum you'll find you're not alone: a lot of us have had an issue or two. Most common issues are hardware related.

A short checklist to install a 64-bit Windows 7 (my version, the pros here may add something):
- disconnect all external devices except mouse and kb
- use only one RAM module
- reset your BIOS to factory defaults
- burn install disk as slowly as possible
- let your burner software verify the disk
- do a clean install

Hope you'll manage it, Windows 7 is worth every effort.

Kari

davik said:

The crashes essentially involve the computer losing all visual output, and the monitor goes on to standby, until I restart the computer myself. I am assuming the system has crashed at this point, although it's possible things are still happening with no video output.

This quote from your first post indicates it is probably a display driver issue. Doing some heavy googling, tell you if I find something.

Kari

Davik
I agree with Kari, it looks like a video card / drivers conflict. Are you able ot get to the part of the installation where it asks you for drivers, and have you loaded the ones for your card?
I see you have no onboard video, do you have another card to try?
The DVI connection to the monitor seems to be problematic in installation, but you have no VGA, so not much to do there. Sorry if it didn't help much...