Windows 7: Windows 7 unable install

joe2005 · 21 Aug 2013

I have dual boot with XP and Windows 7.Of late windows 7 started to have random freezes and display changing often so decided to reinstall.After inserting the DVD after Copying of files expanding of files it restarts again set up starts and is becoming a loop.Iam unable to find a cause.The allocated partition have 60 gb capacity.Request guidance.thanks

Night Hawk · 21 Aug 2013

By your system specs as far as the OS "windows 7 rc" would be the Release Candidate? which has expired in all forms. If that is a type and you have the Home Premium or other retail edition you may want to run a hard drive diagnostics just to insure the drive hasn't started seeing bad sectors appear.

Inspecting the 7 dvd itself from handling as well as the optical drive is also something to add to the list in the event a lens cleaner is needed or if the optical drive itself is having problem. A usb installation key then would become the option for seeing 7 installed fresh when booting from the flash drive install key. I've had a few optical drives belly up over the last few years between ddiferent builds and now mainly run with a usb key.

To see how a USB Install Key is made off review the guide seen at USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

gregrocker · 21 Aug 2013

Where did you get WIn7 and how is it activated?

Boot the installer, use the Drive options to Delete the old Win7 partition during Steps 7 and 8 of Clean Install Windows 7, create and format a New partition there to begin install.

Other tips for getting and keeping a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 are the same for retail.

joe2005 · 22 Aug 2013

After coming to you i was trying and able to re -install windows 7.In the bargain I am not able boot into XP eventhough i get the option such as earlier version of windows and windows 7.I think i messedup the boot record of XP and XP was installed first.Can you please help in this mess ? thanks

gregrocker · 22 Aug 2013

Please post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

Install EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required)

On Edit OS Menu tab highlight the XP listing and Delete.

Then on Add OS Entry tab, add XP by name, type, letter should autocomplete or supply correct letter, Save, reboot to Dual Boot menu.

joe2005 · 22 Aug 2013

I have posted the details as desired.please give me a clue to overcome this.

gregrocker · 22 Aug 2013

We know by the System Active flags on D that Win7 is still booting off the XP partition even though XP won't start.

Since Win7 will start then as I already suggested you can try installing EasyBCD to delete the XP boot entry: EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required)
Deleting Menu Entries - EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

Then add it back:

If this fails, Mark Win7 Partition Active, then reboot into Win7 installer or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times until Win7 starts and now holds the System Active flags on it's partition signifying it's booting the System.

Then if XP has not been included in a Dual Boot menu you should be able to add it from Win7 using EasyBCD.

Let us know how this goes.

Night Hawk · 22 Aug 2013

You may find it a bit easier following the steps outlined in the guide for setting up a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

The guide explains how to correct the booting problems whether XP is installed first or last. When 7 the newer version goes on last the boot entry for XP is automatically added in as the Previous version option you see at startup. If you are booting across two drives then the XP boot files and boot.in file are copied over to the boot drive if the second drive not default is used.

The EasyBCD tool is also referred to there. 7 however is no longer booting from the first but second primary as indicated by the screenshot of the DM showing the C volume marked as boot. This is why XP is not loading up when selected and why you will want to review the guide for setting up a dual boot between the two versions due to the differences in boot loaders.

gregrocker · 22 Aug 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Night Hawk

You may find it a bit easier following the steps outlined in the guide for setting up a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

The guide explains how to correct the booting problems whether XP is installed first or last. When 7 the newer version goes on last the boot entry for XP is automatically added in as the Previous version option you see at startup. If you are booting across two drives then the XP boot files and boot.in file are copied over to the boot drive if the second drive not default is used.

The EasyBCD tool is also referred to there. 7 however is no longer booting from the first but second primary as indicated by the screenshot of the DM showing the C volume marked as boot. This is why XP is not loading up when selected and why you will want to review the guide for setting up a dual boot between the two versions due to the differences in boot loaders.

Incorrect. Please do not state misinformation as fact.

Win7 is booting from XP partition as signified by the System Active flags, as I just wrote above.

The "Boot" flag only refers to the partition which is booted at the present time, Windows 7.

While it is true Win7 is supposed to create a working Dual Boot menu during it's install, the point of the thread is that it didn't. I showed two ways to try to remedy this. These are not dealt with in Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP because when Win7 is installed last it is assumed it will correctly configure the Dual Boot.

joe2005 · 23 Aug 2013

Yes As told created a repair disc booted into Windows 7 now I am able to get both systems.However after selecting XP option two more appears on the screen viz.1 Microsoft Window XP and 2. Windows (default). Able to boot into XP only choosing the second option.Hope requires some finer tuning.Ihave attached details of both bcds.please advise