Installed new HDD but cant install new Win7: Error Loading OS

heythereTX · 01 Jul 2013

History: This was the second computer I built, and all was well... until the HDD crashed. Replaced with a new WD10EZEX SATA6G. Reset the bios back to factory default. Then used BOOT menu to Boot from CD, and inserted the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Full 32/64 Bit Version CD, to install 32-bit. After running the installation (Clean Custom), I receive an error message about "Unable to Load OS" and am unable to make any changes here.

Searched Google, and found instructions to Fix the Master Boot Record (MBR) from Command Prompt. When I get to the section on changing the Active Partition - I encounter issues. Entering DiskPart is fine, but typing List Part and pressing enter - I get an alphabetical list of command options, and not a list of all connected disks. I can't use the CLEAN command without selecting a part, but there aren't any to clean, and I can't make a part active, either. Do I need to have an active partition to resolve the "error loading operating system"? Should I try creating a new partition (Step 7 here)?

I'm stuck on how to continue with the installation of Win7. I've seen a few other threads with similar situations, but nothing that matched exactly. I only have one HDD, and no other OS is/was loaded. I tried the System Repair from the Install Screen - selecting "Repair Your Computer" but that gives me the same error.

Appreciate any guidance. New to building computers, and am stuck.

VistaKing · 01 Jul 2013

Press enter when you see the screen that says Press any key to boot from cd or DVD…( image below )

When you get to this screen ( image below )

Press Shift and F10 . You will get a command prompt window . It should open up to X:\Sources . In there input these commands and press enter after each line .

Code:


DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0
CLEAN
CREATE PRIMARY PARTITION 
SELECT PARTITION 1 
ACTIVE 
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="Any name you want" QUICK 
ASSIGN LETTER=C
EXIT
EXIT

Back on the image above press Install Now . Check the I accept the license terms box and click on Next. Click on the Custom (advanced) option. Then choose
Disk 0 Partition 1: Window (C:\) and click Next

theog · 01 Jul 2013

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Full 32/64 Bit Version CD,

Where do you buy your DVD from?

heythereTX · 01 Jul 2013

Thanks for the prompt help! I bought Win7 CD on ebay (I know, risky, but has COA and proceeds for charity). For the CMD Prompt code: I successfully completed the CLEAN and CREATE PRIMARY PARTITION, but then I get an error message: "The Disk is not initialized."

VistaKing said:

Code:


DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0
CLEAN
CREATE PRIMARY PARTITION --> error message: "The Disk is not initialized."

How do I initialize it?

VistaKing · 01 Jul 2013

Change Create primary partition to create partition primary

heythereTX · 01 Jul 2013

Thanks, VistaKing! Partitioning successful! Trying the Win7 install again.

VistaKing · 01 Jul 2013

Make sure Windows 7 says its made it Puerto Rico . eBay is known to sell fakes that look like the original .

heythereTX · 01 Jul 2013

It's a brand new HDD, and I used CMD Prompt to CLEAN the Disk Part, create a new partition, make it active, and then Boot the CD-ROM for a new installation of Win 7 Home Premium 32-bit. New error is "Missing Operating System/Error Loading Operating System." But I just loaded it. I tried fixing the Master Boot Record (found on another thread), and then installing Win7 again, and same error.

Since it's a new HDD, and I've tried the DISKPART clean, and tried a clean Win7 install, could the problem be the mobo BIOS? If so, how do I fix without the original mobo GIGABYTE GA-M68MT-S2P CD? No idea what more to try, since it seems to load Win7 just fine, but then when I restart, I get that error.

VistaKing · 01 Jul 2013

Is the disc a retail copy or an OEM ?

heythereTX · 01 Jul 2013

It's an OEM version.