Help with install & build

iseeuu · 22 Mar 2010

TJ1376 said:

Ok. I have the machine setup to replace the hdd with 0's (going to take a few hours), then I will try the install again. The 2nd install didnt fail today with the drive read error, so who knows, maybe 3rd time is a charm? I will post again when I obtain either the USB drive and a clean download of the install or when I get a new DVD.

Thanks again for everyones help!

You are most welcome! I have installed 7 several times and have not had these kinds of difficulties, so it isn't always like this!

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

Cheers!
Robert

gregrocker · 22 Mar 2010

Try copying your DVD using ImgBurn. This has worked before.

Other than replacing DVD, USB flash stick install would be your next step.

TJ1376 · 23 Mar 2010

So someone at work suggested I remove the USB mouse I use during boot up. I did this and now I get a new error when starting Windows 7 (the install works successfully, the reboot after the install does not work)

File: \Windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
Status: 0xc00000e9
Info: Windows failed to load because the kernel is missing, or corrupt.

Think this furthers a bad DVD?

gregrocker · 23 Mar 2010

See if it detects an installation to repair when you boot DVD Repair console. Then click through to Recovery tools, open a Command Prompt, type:

bootrec.exe /fixboot
bootrec.exe /fixmbr
exit

Now return to run Startup Repair repeatedly to see if it will start.

Do you have video outputted via a tv tuner card or projector, etc? This sometimes happens after install completes, during driver loading phase when monitor changes to alternate output preset.

TJ1376 · 27 Mar 2010

I have now got an enterprise version of Windows 7 ISO file (from microsoft website, 10 day trial), which I have loaded onto a USB device and used the USB tool in the sticky to transfer that ISO file to the usb stick. I have made the necessary changes in the BIOS to boot via USB (tip to others, make sure you force your bios to read the USB as a FDD), and on boot, I get "A disk read error occured"

I am now totally out of options.

Does any have any suggestions? Could the motherboard be bad?

I have tried to install a friends Windows 7 32 bit home version, my own Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, and now the enterprise version of Win 7 64 bit, all to no avail.

Any help out there?

TJ1376 · 27 Mar 2010

gregrocker said:

See if it detects an installation to repair when you boot DVD Repair console. Then click through to Recovery tools, open a Command Prompt, type:

bootrec.exe /fixboot
bootrec.exe /fixmbr
exit

Now return to run Startup Repair repeatedly to see if it will start.

Do you have video outputted via a tv tuner card or projector, etc? This sometimes happens after install completes, during driver loading phase when monitor changes to alternate output preset.

So I tried this with Win 7 home 32 bit, as it was the only version where installation repair would recognize the OS installed.

The bootrec commands worked fine, and said they were successful.

Running startup repair then only tells me that no problems were found and the OS booted successfully, even though I get the same ntoskrnl.exe error

TJ1376 · 27 Mar 2010

So I got the usb stick to work (reset BIOS/CMOS), restarted machine and it booted right into the Win 7 install.

Install performed successfully and then rebooted...

Straight into:
File: \Windows\system32\config\system
Status: 0xc00000e9
Info: Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing or corrupt

This is now three DIFFERENT versions of windows on three DIFFERENT discs (well, 2 DVD's, 1 USB)

What is wrong with my machine?????

gregrocker · 27 Mar 2010

Can you remove the HD from the problem machine and install Win7 using another computer with same number of cores?

I use this method when troubleshooting is taking more time than I can afford. It has worked about a dozen times for me, never failing to start up and swap out all of the drivers - requesting several restarts. It then passes chkdsk, System File Checker, HD diag scan, etc.

However it has failed a few times for others, so be aware of that possibility - as I know you are by now.

I am truly sorry for the trouble you are having. You have tried everything imaginable, researched more deeply than anyone ever does, and have more skills than most who inquire here.

We won't give up if you don't.

Let's go over basics one more time, since this thread is epic:

Remove all but 2gb of memory. Test memory. Swap sticks.

Update BIOS to latest version. Reset CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Try all SATA controller settings, starting with ACHI, then IDE. Check connections and cables.

Try USB flash stick install. If MS tool fails, try another method: USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srOoGhm-jcI Flash stick will often appear under HD's. Use one-time (F11,F10,F12) Boot Menu.

Edit: I see you got flash stick to boot. This does seem to clear the installers. It would need to be mobo, BIOS setting or HD. Now is the time to update BIOS if necc. or clear CMOS, adjust all BIOS settings to test.

Try installing to HD in another machine.

Jonathan_King · 27 Mar 2010

I have just read this thread over again, and there is one thing that has not been mentioned.

First, though, I support Greg's suggestion of installing from another machine.

Now the problem sounds like a hardware issue. So far, you have tested both hard drive and RAM.

How about the CPU, motherboard, and PSU? If you are overclocking, stop.

It is not very easy to test the motherboard, but if possible, try running Prime95 on your CPU.

Lebon14 · 27 Mar 2010

Jonathan_King said:

How about the CPU, motherboard, and PSU? If you are overclocking, stop.

Yeah, you are right! I would also test those pieces of hardware if they are working correctly. I've read in the past some BSOD issues from other users. After many RAM testing and clean installs, BSOD were still present and after replacing the PSU (Power Supply Unit), the errors went away. So, something, during the install corrupts the kernel files for some reasons. I would follow Jonthan's advice.

Also, I would try installing Windows Seven on another machine. It could be a friends', it could be a computer at work, as long as it matches the number of cores you have.

As for myself, althought that I just read the whole thread, I'm clueless. Some hardware isn't working correctly; that is for sure...