"Windows could not complete installation" - yet again.

neoeevee · 06 Mar 2015

Hey everybody, I've been trawling this site for a little while and I know this topic comes up a lot. But, my situation is a tiny bit different, so I figured I'd quit lurking and ask directly.

I recently bought a Fujitsu T904, factory refurbish, off of Ebay. I get her in the mail, she's gorgeous, etc. Anyway, I boot up the computer and let set up run, thinking everything is normal, only to be met with an error message that might be familiar to you all; "Windows could not complete the installation. Please restart to complete the installation."

I reset. I get the message again. This goes on for about an hour.

Now the solution to this problem might be no big deal, as far as a clean factory install goes, except for two problems; one, I don't have a Windows 7 installation disk on-hand. Disks for Windows 8 came with the PC, but I would sooner set myself on fire than let that particular operating system near any machine I own. But even if I wasn't morally opposed to an OS that ditches functionality for style, it wouldn't do any good; the T902 has no optical disk drive.

So I'm in a bit of a jam here. I need a way to try for a clean installation of Windows 7, possibly from a USB drive? I'm no tech head, if it goes beyond following simple instructions or "turn it off and turn it back on again" it's well beyond me. Also, side note: I live on a college campus. If I want WiFi on the new PC, I need access to a web browser to set the whole deal up. Either that, or a specific type of ethernet cable I don't appear to possess. I can provide pictures if necessary. Any help is appreciated.

Ranger4 · 07 Mar 2015

Hi neoeevee, welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Your post is a bit hard to follow. But I assume you have bought this laptop from Ebay & you start it & it comes up with the message that is cannot complete the Windows installation. If you have not done anything other that just attempt to start it then there may be a problem with it & you might consider returning it for a refund.
You say it came with Windows 8 discs, so you could complete the Windows 8 installation if that what it is actually asking you to do, with the "cannot complete the installation" & then use it download Windows 7 & then use that to reload the Fujitsu.
You will of course have to buy a Windows 7 licence as well.
As you are on a campus there should be plenty of people there that can help you.

gregrocker · 07 Mar 2015

Your campus likely has a program via the IT office for Student version of Win7 that is very inexpensive if you don't already own a license. They will also be able to provide you with the Installation media.

Look over these steps for Clean Reinstall Windows 7 which show you how to get and keep a perfect install, including the options now available for finding media if you already own a Win7 license.