disk boot error PLEASE HELP

Do you have an OS installed yet? If not you'd likely get that error.

Boot the Win7 disk to do a Clean Install Windows 7. If you aren't prompted to Press Any Key to boot the disk then it might be bad, so try another from Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 Step 1 using the tool to burn to DVD from Step 2. If that fails try the flash stick installer also provided.

If you have an OS on there already then boot the disk to confirm Partition Marked Active then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times. If this fails then work through the steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start which try everything possible to start Win7 leading up to rescuiing your files to reinstall.

thanks so much for the reply i have win 7 on disk and on a bootable usb when i turn my pc on an set it do boot from eather cd or usb it just goes to "disk boot failure" the cd drive is good as ive tested it all cables are connected properly im just lost at this stage please help

Back up your files, unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS you'll need to decide if you want UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS. If UEFI follow these special steps for Install, otherwise enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module to proceed with normal install:

Set DVD drive first to boot, HD second, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into Windows 7 installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here. I would use a fresh ISO written with tool in Step 2 as yours is in question.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10, or enter System Recovery Options to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
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 wiping the HD and marking Active which overcomes certain install failures.

Do you only have a CD drive? Win7 is on a DVD, not CD.

How was the flash installer written to stick? Use the latest official ISO for your licensed version written to stick with the tool also provided in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Boot into BIOS setup to set the hard drive to boot first, save changes and Exit. Then plug in the stick and trigger it to boot on the Dell F12 one-time BIOS Boot Menu key, under flash, USB, or HD. You may have to expand a listing. USB FD may be for floppy drive.

thanks for the reply i have a dvd drive the usb was done with wintobootic its worked fine for me in the past

hi again gregrocker an thanks again for the help ive red true that link an tried everything it said ive switch from ACHI to IDE an nothing it just still hangs on the second screen i already posted iv tried bootin xp and vista an the same thing happens i would be grateful for any more suggestions thanks

Test your hardware from Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 .

Check all cables are securely fitted, try a new cable if possible.

Please go back to Post #4 and confirm every step by posting back the results when you perform each again. This time do not skip the step to create a New Installer as I would not have posted it if we could rely only on the one you have. Try both the DVD and flash stick provided.

Those steps overcome 90% of install failures.