Windows 7 x64 Installation Freezes

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  1. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Windows 7 x64 Installation Freezes


    "No, there is too much. Let me sum up."

    After a long period of trials I cannot get my system to install Windows 7 x64. It freezes at some random percentage during the expanding files stage whether I use the DVD or the USB to perform the install.

    The system is currently setup with the following:
    1. Motherboard (Asus Maximus VI Hero*)
    2. RAM (Corsair Dominator Platinum 2x8GB**)
    3. SDD (Intel 530*)
    4. Dell Monitor being driven from the HDMI-out on the Motherboard.


    Last Step Taken:
    • Started install last night and left it running to see if it might complete, but it is still stuck at 4%.


    Any ideas or steps to try would be appreciated.

    * New
    ** Previously RMA'd



    Original Post - Verbose Edition
    I know this topic comes up a lot and after searching through the various answers provided I've not found any success. So I'm going to ask my own version of this question because I honestly don't know if I have an install issues or hardware issues, but I'm going to start here.

    I'm trying to perform a clean install of Windows 7 x64 on what is essentially a completely new system.
    1. New SDD (Intel 530).
    2. New Motherboard (Asus Maximus VI Hero).
    3. Intel i7 4770k.
    4. Asus GTX770.
    5. 2 sticks of Corsair Dominator RAM for 16GB total.


    I can get to the point where it says expanding files and it freezes along with the mouse cursor. I've also had it freeze at other points as well, more on that later. I have a legal copy of Windows Home Premium and I've attempted the install using a the DVD and a USB created from an ISO of my installation disk, I've even downloaded a new ISO of my DVD from the Digitalriver source. None of this has brought any joy.

    Here's a quick summary of a few other things I've tried unsuccessfully;
    1. Using a single stick of RAM.
    2. Switching from AHCI to IDE in the BIOS.
    3. Adjusting RAM timings.


    Now, I've had some serious issues with my system over the past months chronicled here. Yet after caving in and just buying a new Motherboard I'm still finding system difficulties.

    Which brings me to my earlier reference about other freezes; I was attempting to partition the SSD using the method described here when the system just froze while I was typing in the console window. I thought this was a fluke so I restarted and tried again and I got a little further, but again, the system froze. I freely admit I'm not pro, but there's no reason a healthy system should do this is there?

    I'm testing the RAM right now with MemTest and I'll leave that running for the rest of the day, but the really strong inclination I have... the one I've avoided... is that my Processor or Power Supply is kaput. Because everything else is new or has been replaced.

    So my questions:
    1. Is there any reason for a healthy system to behave as I've described?
    2. Is it possible that something other than hardware problems could cause problems like this?
    Last edited by Extra Fox; 07 Sep 2014 at 13:42. Reason: Clarity, reduction in text.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 185
    Win7 SP1 + Ultimate 64 bit
       #2

    Well, it does sound a little like PSU, what sort is it? 550,650,750W? and, is the PSU a good brand or a cheaper one? I doubt you bought a cheap one as the rest of your components sound top stuff.
    Have you tried to remove other hardware you might have fitted? like, remove the DVD drive and any other ancillary card? just have the HDD, and ram in? Might also be advisable to return the MB to the original settings as in, take out the battery for 5 mins, put it back, then try to install.

    I doubt that your ram timings are causing the issue. Is you BIOS UEFI? Try to do what I suggested and see if that helps? it might be a component you have? like a printer, or a DVD drive or??? Also, have you fitted the Video card into another PCIE 16 slot?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    It's a 760 watt Corsair AX760, which was supposed to be a decent unit. However, given everything else that I've tried I'm not ready to dismiss it as a possible culprit.

    At the moment the system sits at about the barest bones I can make it so just the processor, RAM, and the SDD. Any ancillaries including the video card have been removed. I've experimented with taking out a single stick of RAM as well, but that's not produced any results.

    I did re-flash the BIOS and that had the added bonus of resetting everything thinking that might do the trick, but the behavior was the same. It is UEFI compatible as far as I can tell.

    At the moment, the system was running an install that froze at 4% that I left overnight. I can still move the mouse so it hasn't completely frozen, but no further progress has been made. It's very frustrating as you might imagine.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    "No, there is too much. Let me sum up."

    After a long period of trials I cannot get my system to install Windows 7 x64. It freezes at some random percentage during the expanding files stage whether I use the DVD or the USB to perform the install.

    The system is currently setup with the following:
    1. Motherboard (Asus Maximus VI Hero*)
    2. RAM (Corsair Dominator Platinum 2x8GB**)
    3. SDD (Intel 530*)
    4. Dell Monitor being driven from the HDMI-out on the Motherboard.


    Last Step Taken:
    • Started install last night and left it running to see if it might complete, but it is still stuck at 4%.


    Any ideas or steps to try would be appreciated.

    * New
    ** Previously RMA'd
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    Work through the steps for Overcoming Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums.

    Is there a newer BIOS version? If not don't forget to reset to defaults.

    Is this an EFI BIOS? What are the EFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS and BIOS Boot Priority settings choices in BIOS setup?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    gregrocker said:
    Work through the steps for Overcoming Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums.

    Is there a newer BIOS version? If not don't forget to reset to defaults.

    Is this an EFI BIOS? What are the EFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS and BIOS Boot Priority settings choices in BIOS setup?
    I'll run through that process now. If past experience is my guide, the system will freeze once I attempt the DISKPART step. At which point the SDD will show as "Frozen" in the BIOS. I'll do it anyway all the same.

    The BIOS itself is the latest, version 1505 to be exact, and I do believe it's an EFI BIOS. You'll have to forgive me as my BIOS does list things exactly as you've noted them so I'll do my best to get what I believe the current settings are:
    • EFI: I'm not sure how to answer this one?
    • CSM: Launch CSM is Enabled, Boot From Device control is set to "UEFI and Legacy OPROM", Boot from Network Devices is set to "Legacy OPROM Only", Boot from Storage Devices is set to "Legacy OPROM Only", Boot from PCI-E/PCI Expansion Devices is set to "Legacy OPROM Only".
    • Legacy BIOS: I don't see anything unless I captured that above.
    • BIOS Boot Priority: Right now it says "disabled".
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    If it fails Diskpart then the HD may need testing with the maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan.

    Are you booting the WIn7 installation DVD as a EFI or Legacy device in the BIOS Boot menu? It has both choices enabled so each device (DVD, flash stick, Hard drive) should show an EFI device and and Legacy version of the same device to choose.

    Try each one, e.g. for DVD install try UEFI DVD drive for install. Then if that fails try the Legacy or unlabeled DVD drive choice. If these don't appear in the your BIOS setup Boot Priority order, then use the one-time BIOS Boot menu key which every PC has.

    If it gets that far to the drive selection screen during install, you must delete all partitions to assure it will correctly format it as GPT for UEFI install or MBR for Legacy install. If it stalls there then run the Diskpart commands if possible and add Convert GPT for UEFI install or Convert MBR for Legacy.

    Report back results with screnshots if possible.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I will definitely test the drive and thank you for the link.

    As far as the BIOS goes I'll have to ask for your forgiveness, working within the BIOS has never been an area I've been particularly comfortable with and this ASUS UEFI BIOS has a dizzying array of options.

    So what I'll start with here is some screen shots that I want to show you so that I can make sure I'm doing what you suggested.

    First, this is the Boot Menu from the Asus BIOS.
    Windows 7 x64 Installation Freezes-bootconfig-fastboot-usbsupport.jpg

    It's hard to see, but the item highlighted is USB Support, it's currently set to Partial Initialization which I've wondered if it should be Full Initialization when trying to install the OS via USB?

    Perhaps I should disable Fast Boot as well?

    Next, this is the boot priority section.
    Windows 7 x64 Installation Freezes-bootconfig_priorities.jpg

    This is just what the BIOS has defaulted everything to. Right now it has the DVD-ROM first and the USB key second, but the SDD is disabled.

    The BBS Priorities sections apparently allow me to setup the boot priority among the installed drives by type.

    Next, this is the CSM section.
    Windows 7 x64 Installation Freezes-bootconfig_csm_bootdevicecontrol.jpg

    It's again hard to see from my photo but this is the area I believe you made reference to in trying out the UEFI or Legacy support. So my thought is that I'll set the Boot Device Control to UEFI Only first, then if that doesn't work I'll set it to Legacy OpROM only. This in conjuction with boot priorities, unless I'm wrong, should allow me to test as you described.

    The options break down like this, with the currently selection option in bold.

    > Launch CSM ([enable] [disable])
    ....> Boot Device Control ([UEFI and Legacy OpROM] [Legacy OpROM only] [UEFI only])
    ....> Boot from Network Devices ([Legacy OpROM first] [UEFI driver first] [Ignore])
    ....> Boot from Storage Devices ([Both], [Legacy OpROM first] [Both, UEFI first] [Legacy OpROM first] [UEFI driver first] [Ignore])
    ....> Boot from PCIe/PCI Expansion Devices ([Legacy OpROM first] [UEFI driver first])

    Finally, this is the Secure Boot section.
    Windows 7 x64 Installation Freezes-bootconfig_secureboot.jpg

    I don't think the setting here is wrong for what I'm trying to do, but I thought I'd show that it's in Window UEFI Mode.
      My Computer

  9.    #9

    Since it clearly says to the right that Partial Initialization only allows USB keyboard and mouse to be recognized, then obviously you'll need to change it to Full in order to boot a USB stick.

    Secure Boot must also be disabled to install any other than Windows 8.

    You'd want Storage Devices to be set to UEFI and Legacy in order to install with USB (storage device) to UEFI.

    Then boot the stick as a UEFI device using the one time BIOS Boot menu key which every PC has, unless you want to install to Legacy. UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube

    UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with
    http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials...e-windows.html
    Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    This sounds very promising Greg, thank you!

    I almost convinced myself to take today off to work through this, but I'll have to wait until the evening when things settle down at home. It may take me a couple evenings, but I'll definitely be getting back to you.

    Thanks again!
      My Computer


 
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