Is this the right approach for a truly clean install?

Megahertz07 · 06 Jul 2017

We are now on the right track.
You can't just copy the iso files to a disk. If you do so, it won't boot.
You have to "burn" the iso to a disk. Windows does have a program to do it. Burn a Disc Image from an ISO or IMG file in Windows 7
You can also "install" the iso on a USB flash disk. Windows USB/DVD Download Tool - Microsoft Store

As you have done a fresh install, did it already installed all the updates? MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

Very strange is it is slow. Do a Check Disk. Open a admin CMD window and type chkdsk c: /f . It will ask if you want to schedule to next restart. Yes. It will run on next boot. Pay attention on the results.
Any way, if I were you, I would install a SSD. You can buy a small 128G SSD for U$50 and an adapter to install the HDD in the place of the ODD. You have no idea what a SSD can do for your laptop.
You then transfer C:\users do D:\users. You will have the speed of a SSD and the space of a HDD.
ADATA Ultimate SU700 2.5 ASU700SS-120GT-C - Newegg.com
PNY CS900 2.5 SSD7CS900-120-RB-Newegg.com
laptop odd to hdd - Newegg.com

Paul Black · 06 Jul 2017

Thanks Megahertz07 for the insight and suggestions.

I ran the chkdsk c: /f and all seemed fine as I watched it run through, I don't understand it.

Anyway, I will burn the ISO either tonight or tomorrow and have another go at installing Windows.

I know that if I only wanted to relocate My Documents, Desktop & Favourites to the D: drive I could follow this tutorial:

User Folders - Change Default Location

This option does sound to be the best choice at the moment.

Thanks in advance.

Paul Black · 06 Jul 2017

Hi Megahertz07,

Well, I downloaded the ISO onto my old laptop, copied it to a USB and then copied it to the desktop of the new laptop.

I followed the instructions as per the link you sent me to burn the ISO to a DVD and also clicked the Verify disk after burning box.
It failed and ejected the DVD (I started with only 3 DVD's available so 2 to go).

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance.

Megahertz07 · 06 Jul 2017

Try to burn the dvd at half the default speed.

Use one of these free programs http://www.thewindowsclub.com/top-3-...ners-windows-7

Paul Black · 06 Jul 2017

OK, thank you. I will have another go in a minute.
I an just sitting here watching the Shanghai Darts Masters with a nice cold beer.

Paul Black · 07 Jul 2017

Hi Megahertz07,

I managed to burn the ISO to a DVD by reducing the burning speed as you suggested and also checked the verify box and it burnt without any errors or problems. Thank you for that tip, it worked brilliantly.

I put the newly created DVD in the laptop and booted it.
All went well until I got to the stage after it rebooted and continued the installation saying completing installation... It has been sitting there saying that for 2 hours now. I don't know whether to stop it or not and try again?

What about if I powered it off and on again so see if it continues from the right place and carries on?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT:

I have just restarted it again!

Paul Black · 07 Jul 2017

Hi Megahertz07,

I am at a loss now. I have tried installing from the disk 3 times now and it just gets stuck on completing installation...

I have spent most of the day Googling it but without any joy. I removed the mouse as many people with same problem found that removing all the USB devices worked for them, but not for me.

The disk seems to spin upto the completing installation... stage and then just stops. The hard drive light doesn't flash or anything.

I have freed up a USB so I will try to copy the ISO to that and run it using the link you provided:

Windows USB/DVD Download Tool - Microsoft Store

Thanks in advance.

EDIT:
Ater copying to the USB I got a message saying:
Files copied successfully. However, we were unable to run bootsect to make the USB device bootable.

Is this because I did the copy to the USB on my Vista machine?
Obviously my new laptop hasn't got a system on it at the moment so that is why I did it like this.
What do I do now please?
Do I need to install Windows from the original DVD upto a point when I can insert the USB and then double-click the Setup.exe file on the USB.

Paul Black · 07 Jul 2017

I re-installed the system using the DVD that came with the laptop upto a stage where I could insert the USB.
I inserted the USB and run Setup.exe.
That also hangs on the completing installation... stage.

Has anyone got any ideas please?

Paul Black · 08 Jul 2017

Well, I left it running on the completing installation... stage all night in case it continued, but no luck.
This morning I hard booted the laptop using the power buton leaving the USB in and got the following messages on the load up screen:

Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller Series v.2.36 (07/29/10)
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable.
PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM.
Operating System not found.

Can anyone advise me what to do please?

EDIT No. 1:

I rebooted the laptop without the USB and the system told me that:

The installation was not uccessful.
Changes made during the installation process are being undone.
Do NOT restart your computer during this time.

EDIT No. 2:

The above has been running for SEVEN hours now.
I have stopped it and rebooted.

Megahertz07 · 08 Jul 2017

Paul, if you don't know what you're doing, it's like shooting in the dark.
If you began installing with the M$ DVD and it gets stuck on completing installation, it found a problem with a driver.
I can't help you as there may be many steps to get to the problem.

If you were successful with the Fujitsu disk, why are you trying to install with the MS disk?