New PC build - Win 7 initial boot help

Hi guys. Just built a pc and having trouble with Win 7 on the initial boot up. I keep getting

Reboot and Select proper Boot device
or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key

I've been in the BIOS and select 1st boot fron dvd/cd drive. The dvd drive powers up and spins the win 7 disc but keep getting the same message. I've tried swapping the sata cables.

Been looking at it for nearly 2 hours now. HDD has power (recognised in BIOS) and it is a new official Win 7 installation disc.

Please help

hi, the disc looks good and is official so not sure how is could be poorly written?

Does it make a difference that my pc is not Dell?

Is this a guaranteed fix then?

I'm new to all this so bear with me as I like things in laymen terms

Golden said:

Did I miss something? You said "initial bootup" implying you have already installed....correct? Have I misread your post?

No. I cant install Win 7. Its a PC built today i have just turned on and cant get Win 7 to install

If this is a new mobo it's likely EFI. Watch this video:



Follow these steps to install to UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

If this is problematic or for any other reason you want to bypass UEFI to install normally to an MBR HD:

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS, enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module, set DVD drive first to boot, HD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt.You are creating the partition here for the purpose of marking it Active which overcomes certain install failures.