Installation stuck at "Windows is loading files..."

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 x64
       #1

    Installation stuck at "Windows is loading files..."


    Hi all!

    Wanted to do a nice clean installation on a HP Compaq dc7800 Convertible Minitower. Using known good Windows 7 volume USB which I have used a dozen+ times with no issues.

    I get stuck at "Windows is loading files..." as I don't think that screen is ever supposed to be there over an hour or so.

    Linux mint live USB boots just fine.

    Using Windows 7 OEM usb (not legal on that rig, but I was testing), I got past the loading screen and reached "Windows 7 cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk." error instead.

    I toyed around with ram sticks. They're installed as they should be. Then tried each of them in the correct initial slot to see if one of them might be bad. Then installed two additional sticks to see if it had enough memory to load the OS. Same result.

    I've reset the bios. The SATA settings are on IDE, not RAID. The original OS that I'm trying to replace also boots just fine.

    Just running out of ideas here.
    Last edited by higgins; 31 Dec 2015 at 11:55. Reason: clarity
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Bump.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Known good Windows 8 fails at logo, too.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 8
    Windows 7/8/10 UEFI/GPT system
       #4

    higgins said:
    I've reset the bios. The SATA settings are on IDE, not RAID.
    To run a single drive configuration on HP Compaq dc7800 in AHCI mode: Change SATA Emulation from IDE to RAID.

    SOURCE: dc7800 convertible mini-tower & SSD?? - HP Support Forum - 1934725

    AHCI is a subset of RAID. Usually the BIOS will have three different settings: IDE, AHCI, and RAID. However, for the HP dc7800 you enable AHCI for a single drive but using RAID. See bottom of page 4 on the PDF: https://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/si...tte.cachetoken
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Sorry. That wasn't it. Hangs up just the same.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I just used it successfully on two installations on different machines. Not corrupted.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 172
    Windows 7 x64 SP1
       #7

    higgins said:
    I just used it successfully on two installations on different machines. Not corrupted.
    I have had a few similar problems lately with different laptops and found the only way was to low level format the HDD not just a quick format but fill the thing with either 0's or 1's I am not sure if Partition Wizard will do this but I know Aomei their partition software can do it if you select "wipe" from the menu, it will take a long time though 500GB about 3-5 hours...
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #8

    PW will fill a drive with 0`s and not take long at all.

    Bootable Partition Manger | MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    I've tried four different hard drives in this rig now, including a brand new one. Same issue each time.
    Last edited by higgins; 18 Feb 2016 at 08:42. Reason: Voice dictation, you funny guy
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Installed linux. Problem solved.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:37.
Find Us