Windows 7 Professional 64 OEM will not reinstall after BIOS update

Hi!

I've recently built a new pc. - i7 3930 Sandy Bridge, P9X79 PRO motherboard, 32Gb RAM, 128Gb SSD. I installed Windows OEM and activated and I also updated the BIOS; and everything was fine until I decided to reinstall Windows because I had some troubles with some drivers and I thought a clean copy will fix that.

Here it comes the problem. I booted from the original DVD, the Windows files have been copied and expanded and then the system restarted in order to continue the process. The system restarted but instead of continuing the installation process I get an error message saying the following: "Windos will not start because kernel file is missing". It also tells me that some files in "system 32" are corrupt. At this point there is nothing I can do. I tried again a few times then I stopped.

I know that the OEM can be installed only on one motherboard, but could a BIOS updated be considered a hardware change? I read other posts and everybody was saying that even if you change the motherboard the user will still be able to install the system but he will be required to activate the copy via telephone. Well, I did not even get to the point to reinstall the system. Has anyone experienced a similar problem with a OEM version of Windows 7?


Thank you so much for your help!

Gabriel

The issue has nothing to do with activation which happens after install.

Try wiping the HD with Clean command before install: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation.
Test your HD with maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan which can also wipe it afterwards.

Reset the BIOS to defaults ,set SATA controller to AHCI to try install. Unplug all other HD"s and periperhals.

Next remove all but 2gb RAM if possible to try install. You can replace it later. Test your RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Is this a disk you burned yourself? If so confirm ISO and burn another using ImgBurn at 4x speed. Next try writing ISO to flash stick using Universal USB Installer with WIn7 in dropdown menu. Boot using BIOS Boot Menu under USB, Removable, HD's.

Follow these same basic steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Hi!

Thank you so much for your quick and detailed reply. I'll give it a try. I think I should have bought the retail version and avoid all these troubles.

Gabriel

Install problems have absolutely nothing to do with what version you bought. OEM version is fine for your use here and should reactivate online without problem.

gregrocker said:

Install problems have absolutely nothing to do with what version you bought. OEM version is fine for your use here and should reactivate online without problem.

Well, maybe, but after this experience I also installed a Home Version Retail without a problem. I also read on some forums about other users experiencing similar problems with OEM version and the same motherboard that I have - ASSUS P79XPRO. Do you think this is possible?

No. The installer is the same for all versions. It's only the key which determines if you're using the correct one which you purchased.

This is the top site on the web for Win7 installation issues, having helped with thousands of these issues. So we know with certainty that OEM version has nothing to do with install failures.

Work through the steps given and if necessary we will have more.

gregrocker said:

No. The installer is the same for all versions. It's only the key which determines if you're using the correct one which you purchased.

This is the top site on the web for Win7 installation issues, having helped with thousands of these issues. So we know with certainty that OEM version has nothing to do with install failures.

Work through the steps given and if necessary we will have more.

Thank you so much! I'll do all the steps listed above and let you know the results.

My problem has been fixed. I cleaned the hard drive and I also switched the SATA ports and I was able to install Win7 again on one SSD.

I have another problem though. When I was doing "clean all", the computer froze at the end of the process. I did not have keyboard or mouse available. I restarted the computer, I installed all the drivers than I tried to format one 1Tb Hard Drive; again, the computer froze. No keyboard, no mouse. The hard drive was working because the light was on, but I could not do anything else as there was no mouse or keyboard available. Does anyone know where the problem might be this time?

Thank you!

Hi Woody -

Its impossible to tell from what you wrote exactly when this happened. You said to get Win7 installed you cleaned the HD (clean command is enough - clean all is overkill) then it froze, but then you installed drivers, formatted another HD and it froze again. Was Win7 even installed? I guess so if you were installing drivers. But it's impossible to follow anyway.

Work through these troubleshooting steps to establish a clean boot, test your RAM and HD, check the logs and system resources for clues to problems: Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

gregrocker said:

Hi Woody -

Its impossible to tell from what you wrote exactly when this happened. You said to get Win7 installed you cleaned the HD (clean command is enough - clean all is overkill) then it froze, but then you installed drivers, formatted another HD and it froze again. Was Win7 even installed? I guess so if you were installing drivers. But it's impossible to follow anyway.

Work through these troubleshooting steps to establish a clean boot, test your RAM and HD, check the logs and system resources for clues to problems: Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

Hi Gregg!

I am sorry for the confusion. I was doing "clean all" and when the process was done I tried to type "exit" so that I can continue the installation. I was not able to do that because I had no keyboard. The computer did not receive any input from my keyboard. The mouse was also dead. The keyboard and mouse are connected through USB. Anyway, I restarted the computer and I continued the installation. Windows installed successfully and after that I installed all the drivers.

The next step was to format the other hard drives I have in my system. A few seconds later after the formatting began I had no access to my keyboard and mouse. They were dead again. The computer continued to format the hard drive because the percentage was increasing but I could not do anything else. Without any input from my mouse or keyboard the screen went in Stand By mode so now I am not able to see what's happening. I see that the HDD is working as the light is on but I don't know what to do.

Thank you!