Reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS
While in BIOS setup, set SATA controller to AHCI to try install, IDE or Compat if that fails.
Create and mark Active a Primary NTFS partition using Step 2.2 here: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
Please fill in your System SPecs in bottom left corner of post.
Just reset CMOS; trying to re-copy ISO to flash drive with the specified Universal USB Installer specified previously but it says it will format as FAT32. Should I format it as NTFS and not have the USB installer format it? or is it fine to format as FAT32?
:edit: also updated my system specs for this machine in lower left, as requested :endedit:
Last edited by wakkedup; 29 Oct 2011 at 14:27. Reason: Forgot some info
UUI has never been reported to failed in hundreds of times recommended. I believe it formats the stick's native format. I would try it.
Another option which always works is UltraISO trial version: On file tab open ISO or DVD, on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write.
I've used the program a dozen times or so for ubuntu flavor-ful installs, but never with win7. already let it do it's format and trying it now.
:edit:Same error, but I reset the CMOS, so gonna re-check the BIOS. I do not, however(that I can find), have an option for AHCI in the BIOS.:end edit:
Last edited by wakkedup; 29 Oct 2011 at 15:26. Reason: Tried and failed with current setup after using UUI
Try removing all but 2gb of RAM to try install. Test your RAM: RAM - Test with Memtest86+
What are your SATA controller settings?
Where did you get Win7? DId you download it? Try another download burned to DVD using ImgBurn at 4x or written to flash stick.
Try creating the Active partition as given earlier.
I have 2 4 gig sticks, up i do have 2 2 gig sticks i could put one in of those i guess.
I'm not too sure what u mean by SATA controller settings, unless you're talking about in the BIOS, and those are default after the reset CMOS.
Win7 from MS site - download. I've ordered a dvdrom since i dont have one, and didnt think I needed one, but it will arrive on tuesday with some dvd+r discs.
I will also try the active partition as described earlier, still, as i havent done that yet, since it said it might take 2hrs for a 500gb hdd.
That being said, if none of that works, I'll just wait *im*patiently until the dvdrom drive arrives.
Thank you all for all of your help up to this point, though!
You can try using the "Clean" command which is much shorter and wipes the critical boot sector. The important thing about that is in step 2.2 to define a Primary Active partition to see if that can be seen.
Clean is much quicker, and I've used that many times, but no luck again. I hate to think it's something simple that I'm overlooking.
To be sure I did Step 2.2 correctly, here's what I have after clean and making the partition it suggested:
Disk 0 Partition 1: Total: 100.0 GB, Free: 100.0 GB, Type: Primary
Disk 0 Unallocated Space: 365.8 GB, Free: 365.8 GB, Type: {blank}
I tried installing on either, with no luck. Going to reboot again and try, will post here again if it worked.
It shouldn't be this hard to install Win7 from a USB device though :(
:edit: It didn't work, however, I did find a setting in the BIOS called HPET mode, setting was 32-bit, switched it to 64-bit, but still getting the same error in Win7 installation. Doing the Step 2.2 now with 'clean all' first, so it's going to be awhile again before I run the install flash drive.:end edit:
Last edited by wakkedup; 30 Oct 2011 at 10:49. Reason: added add'l info
Was the partition marked Active? The entire point of creating it is to mark it Active.
The only other reason I can think of that you'd error with no available System partition is that the disk is Dynamic. Run Diskpart List Disk command to see if Dyn is checked.
A better picture of your HD can be had using free Partition Wizard bootable CD, which can also wipe it from the DIsk tab. You may need to wipe with zeroes due to Linux code persisting, as this can flummox Win7 in many ways.
You can also install to the HD in another machine then SysPrep before moving it back to problem hardware where it should start like a new install: SysPrep to move HD to another computer. The software which will do this from booted CD is Paragon Adaptive Restore.
If it fails in another machine you'll know the problem is the installer or HD. Where did you get Win7? You can test your HD now using maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan which will also wipe the HD afterwards.
I'm not sure what you mean by that, the windows installer has never said "Active" for me. Either "primary", "system", or ""(blank). And searching that step 2.2 info, I couldnt find a screenshot of where I should see "Active".
In any event, tried resetting CMOS again, after removing my RAM and inputting just 1 2GB stick. Same issue.
As to your question again about where I downloaded the iso from, I got it from the MS site. I was not aware I could get it anywhere else, at least legitimately.
Regardless, I'm thinking I'm just going to call this one a bust and wait until the sata dvdrom I ordered arrives. Thanks everyone for your assistance. There was a lot of good information given, regardless of whether I was able to get it working or not. I'll chalk it up to Win7 being harder to install than I'd imagined and just put ubuntu back on it until the dvdrom arrives.
Again, cheers, and thank you all!
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