Win 7 Install problem

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  1.    #21

    Upgrades can take a long time. This is one of many reasons I prefer clean install from boot formatting the HDD when/if you have time to reinstall programs and backed-up data.

    Did MS say how long to let it run?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8
    Vista 64
       #22

    Not really - "several hours" was as far as I could get him to say, but he did have me stop the install when I told him that it had gone on for 5 hours and that the bar was 2/3 of the way across the screen with no activity.

    Oddly enough Shift-F10 does not bring up the terminal window, either. I was hoping to go manually look at the log file to see if it was progressing.

    So I am going to let it run till morning....maybe something weird is just making it go super slow.... I only have about 200-250 GB on the system.

    I can't stomach doing a clean install. I have several games, lots of licensed utilities, etc. This would be the first OS failure in my entire life with MS - from 98 on, I have always done successful in-place upgrades.

    R
      My Computer

  3.    #23

    Well remember if you gotta do it that you'll never have to reinstall again if you save externally a backup image using Win7's new Backup Imaging. I have it kept up to date with file backup in the background when computer is idle, saving to my ext.HDD.

    A few rare posts in the past year that caught my eye about 2 day-1 day-20 hour-etc. in-place Win7 Upgrades. It is most likely in some kind of compatibility-mode testing loop on multiple software (games!) trying multiple modes, which involves running the program over exponentially.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 28 Oct 2009 at 17:16.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 8
    Vista 64
       #24

    OK, so here is the update.

    It worked and took about 10 hours to complete. The one problem I had at the end was that my NIC could not be started (onboard Gigabyte EX58-UD4P motherboard) - Realtek RTL8168B/811B.

    I had to download the new drivers on another PC from the manufacturer to get it to run. MS advised me to turn off the internet connected install, originally fearing that this would cause a conflict. This was probably bad advice.

    I have a lot of programs and games to check out, but so far other things look ok. I was expecting to lose Windows Mail but I am not sure how to get it back.

    In all, I consider this a flawed installation. Why does the last stage of installation not report # of items left, progress, etc? The only indication that there is a chance that it has not failed is that the screen is not locked up.

    Thanks for the moral support, Greg!
    R
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 32
    Window 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #25

    It sounds like we have about the same setup. I let my system run all night a couple days ago and it was still at the same place. I glad you resolved your issue. I'm beginning to think that I like Vista a lot better than I used to.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 8
    Vista 64
       #26

    kaci- check out the setupact.log.

    If at the end of it, it just terminates at some percentage (62 or otherwise), add in the system variables listed above from MS and then just let it go for more than a night.

    Of course you can also call into MS to get the REAL solution which I don't think they have yet.

    If there is no error in the file, it will install eventually - there is some weird problem that makes the process take forever with almost imperceptible hard drive action. If you screen does not lock up and you see a hard drive blip every so often, it is really happening.

    FYI, so far I have no problems or bad behavior in Win7 after I let it finish.

    R
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 32
    Window 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #27

    After trying several "work arounds" I just went ahead with a Clean install. Took less than an hour and so far it appears to be running fine. I'll have to chase down a printer and scanner driver but everything else seems to be where it should be and there's no flags. I neeed to reload a few programs but that will still take far less time than I spent watching the little bird. As was recommended by most of you. A clean install really is the best approach.
      My Computer

  8.    #28

    Glad you worked it through Rhyalis. I wonder about those who aren't as tech savvy as you are, though. And I hope you have some experience with clean-installed 7 to compare your Upgrade's performance to. It should be snappy and never freeze, to start. If in doubt, clean install to a second partition and drag enough over to do a comparison test.

    kaci, you might be surprised that if you turn your printer on, Win7 will autoload drivers that will allow you to print, or scan (if combo) using Windows scan utility by rightclicking on printer in Devices & Printers. Not always necessary to have a big printer software program - a Custom install of that software to just get drivers is worth it, though the Win7 installer or Windows Updates may have a more recent driver.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 29 Oct 2009 at 14:42.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 32
    Window 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #29

    Windows saw my scanner last night, but I didn't notice the printer. They both ran under Vista so I'm sure I can get them to work. It was late when I finished the instal and added a virus program. So I really haven't done too much yet. I'll play more tonight after work. This pesky working for a living is really inconvienent.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 32
    Window 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #30

    Just as an update to this exercise. Everything is working like a champ. Printer and scanner installed without a hitch and I've reinstalled the software that I need. All I have left is to delete the old windows folder. Thanks for your support guys!
      My Computer


 
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