Windows 7 installation resets computer on "Starting Windows" message

TreeFlight · 22 Dec 2014

8 GB RAM
Video: GeForce GTX 650 ti
Motherboard: Asus P5k Pro

I've been trying to upgrade from Vista 32 bit to Windows 7 Pro 64 bit and I can't go further than "Starting Windows" message with swirling colors when I try to boot from DVD
(when I tried academic Win 8 it gave me a Phase1_initialization_failed)
I'm reasonably certain that UEFI method is not applicable with my motherboard
If I try to change from IDE mode to AHCI it gives me ataport.sys BSOD

I did have to substitute my video card recently, so it could be a driver problem even if I don't think so
Should I delete my BitDefender antivirus too?
I hope to progress further before formatting everything

**Pauly** · 22 Dec 2014

Theres a great tutorial here that gives you everything you need to get and keep a perfect install
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

it sounds like you are trying to install win 7 from within vista, you will be better of doing a clean install from boot but this will require losing your current install
If you are concerned about doing this then you can take a system image before you start and backup to external media and you will have the option to go back if you need to

TreeFlight · 22 Dec 2014

Ah, sorry, I didn't clarify myself enough - I'm trying to do a clean install from boot and I've saved necessary files to external hard-disk and I've been trying to follow the guide - yet I can't execute step 6 - after the "Starting Windows" message it resets computer(The message press DEL for bios setup appears again).

**Pauly** · 22 Dec 2014

After computer reboots what happens, are you stuck in a loop or does setup try to run again ?

TreeFlight · 22 Dec 2014

If I don't press any button when prompted to boot from DVD, my vista loads as normally.
Oh and after I have updated my bios right now, there was an ansy.sys BSOD when I switched to AHCI, so I have returned my bios to default settings( and the same reset behaviour as before).

**Pauly** · 22 Dec 2014

If you follow the tutorial exactly you will have either disconnected the HDD with vista on it or it should have been overwritten by the install of win 7
Personally I always follow step 6 here when I do a clean install of 7 which will remove all partitions and format the drive you are about to install to and remember you should set bios to AHCI before you start the install process
I suspect you have multiple partitions holding separate boot info for vista that is not being overwritten during new install, if this original boot info still holds the active partition flag then this will attempt to run at boot and give you vista and not 7

If for whatever reason don't want to clear the disk and clean install win 7 as per tutorial then post a shot of your maximised disk management window and we can see what you have

TreeFlight · 22 Dec 2014

I'm sorry am I misunderstanding everything?
I've thought that it has to reach some further step before I Press Shift + F10?
Am I missing something?
It says:
1)Unplug all other HD's and peripherals except ethernet cable - I did so and I only have 1 HD with 1 partition(with Vista)
2)Boot the windows 7 installer - it starts loading files, then there is "starting windows" screen and then it resets (or ACPI.sys BSOD with AHCI)
I can't even start installation fully, so I thought that I can't execute those commands to follow the guide exactly

By changing settings in BIOS I get :
STOP 0x0000007E: SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED or STOP 0x00000050: PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

I've also tried Vista 64 bit USB stick and I've got msrpc.sys 0x0000007E BSOD

Google tells me that the first screen looks like this and I've never reached it

**Pauly** · 22 Dec 2014

OK sorry I thought you were getting through the install and were failing on windows first boot to desktop

First I would try downloading the relevant iso from the link in the tutorial (7 Professional SP1U) and create a new installer, this is where most problematic installations are caused

TreeFlight · 22 Dec 2014

I've downloaded the ISO from that link and I've "burned" it on a USB stick with Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool, but almost nothing changed:
a pciidex.sys BSOD with AHCI - 0x00000050
or
a reset as usual with IDE

gregrocker · 22 Dec 2014

Can you try a DVD install to compare, confirming the ISO downloaded fully and burning to disk with Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool?

Will Vista or any other installation disk boot to the Drive Selection screen? If so, can you also run the wipe commands in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Installation Failures?

Will Partition Wizard CD burned with Windows Image Burner boot to run Surface Scan, then Quick Wipe drive?

Does the flash stick or DVD installer boot and proceed through the screens to Drive Selection screen in another PC?

Did you reset BIOS to defaults before setting SATA controller to AHCI, and what choices are given for defaults? While in BIOS setup do you see any settings for UEFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS, or for UEFI devices in the BIOS Boot Priority order?

If you unplug the hard drive will stick or DVD boot normally? Do you have another hard drive to try? Test your HD using bootable HD Diagnostics.

What devices are plugged into your mobo besides HD, DVD drive, CPU and video card? Do you have an onboard video chip so you can unplug the video card? Do you have another video card to try?