64bit Installation Problems - ripping hair out

[sheenaa]

I am slowly going crazy...

So for about 2 days I've been searching the internet trying to find a solution to my issue. And I haven't been able to find a direct answer, so I'm posting and hoping that one of you beautiful people will be able to help me.

Basically, the situation is this: I currently have Windows 7 32bit installed (no issues installing or running it whatsoever), but I want to try out the 64bit. Do I really need it? Probably not, but I'm now determined to make it work because it's fighting with me.

I've done a clean install (formatted the drive before installing it) about 5 times, since this morning. I'm running an Acer with AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ with 280GB hard drive, with 6gigs of RAM, and an ATI Radeon HD 4350. I am installing onto only one partition...none of that fancy stuff.

When telling the computer in BIOS to use the new graphics card, I get a blue screen after Win7 installs, then it restarts to complete the installation, and blue screens. After the BSOD, it restarts again, asks whether I want to start in Safe Mode, then once something is chosen it goes into Loading Windows again, then restarts, and BSOD's again. It's a terrible cycle that never stops (I have tried booting in Safe Mode and others, but they all say that Windows wasn't installed or something). While the BSOD goes away rather quickly, I was able to catch under Technical Information:

** STOP: 0x00000116
** atikmdag.sys

So because I noticed it said ATI in there, I thought maybe I could try installing while telling my computer through BIOS to use the onboard graphics card, instead of my PCIe, then install some x64 drivers when Win starts up. So it installs, restarts to complete installation, and I'm left with a completely white screen with nothing on it. It sounds like the computer is doing something, but I'm not able to see anything.

Why can't the 64bit install as nicely and wonderfully as the 32bit version? Please help, I refuse to give up on this. Thanks in advance for any advice given.

 

[Tews]

Try using the on board VGA adapter during setup, then install your ATI card after your installation is complete..

 

[sheenaa]

Wow that was a quick reply - thanks! So I have to admit when it comes to the hardware and not easy stuff, I need a little bit of an explanation. Would you mind explaining how I would go about using the onboard VGA adapter please? Thanks

 

[theog]

Try removing the new card, install Windows 7. When Windows 7 is working OK, reinstall new card.

 

[sheenaa]

^ I actually had the white screen problem about a year ago when I tried to install the 64bit RC version. It installed fine, but went to a white screen after rebooting. I didn't have this graphics card back then, just the one that came with the computer.

 

[Tews]

Wow that was a quick reply - thanks! So I have to admit when it comes to the hardware and not easy stuff, I need a little bit of an explanation. Would you mind explaining how I would go about using the onboard VGA adapter please? Thanks

Remove the ATI card... plug the video cable into the remaining blue VGA socket on the back of your computer.. reboot... then install...

 

[sheenaa]

Oh thank you...I tried that though and that's when I get the white/blank screen.

 

[mark39]

I'm assuming your onboard graphics are enabled in the bios?

 

[sheenaa]

They weren't, because when I put in my new graphics card it told me to disable it there, so I did. But when I go the BSOD I thought maybe it was the new card causing the problem so reset it to use the onboard graphics instead of the new card.

 

[Adrian]

64 Bit Install

Hello Sheena,
Welcome to windows 7 support.
As we understand your issue: Install in 64 bit mode fails due to graphics card both on/outboard. Using main HDD.

A couple of questions for you:

1. Do you have the new graphics card removed?
2. What is the mobo brand and model spec?
3. Have you updated the bios recently?
4. Have you updated the mobo chipset recently?
5. Are you able to access the bios before boot?
6. Are you installing Windows 7 X64 from a CD, Penn Drive ISO?
7. 6 gigs of memory, how are they set up?

Let us know so that we can give you the best support.

 

[sheenaa]

Hiya, thanks for the response.

1. I've tried both with the graphics card in (which gives BSOD) and taken out (which gives blank white screen).
2. Motherboard is Acer F690GVM
3. No I have not updates the Bios since I got the computer a couple years ago.
4. No I haven't updated this for the same reason as above, haha. I'm not sure where to go to update it or how to do it. Chipset is ATI RS690/RS690M.
5. Yes when my computer restarts I am able to press the key to get into Bios.
6. I'm installing from a CD.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Adrian]

Suggestions

A couple of issues stand out for me: Memory! 6 gigs are these ddrII? Also I'm suspicious if some of the memory has gone south, since you/Someone else opened your case maybe a memory stick became dislodged.
Also, how are you able to affect graphics in your bios? I don't see it mine (ASSUS MOBO) If you removed the new grfxcard your bios should go back by default.
In your bios have you changed your boot priority to CD/DVD as 1st. boot priority?

 

[sheenaa]

Yes the 6GB of memory is all DDR2. 2GB came with the computer and I later added in an extra 4. I checked to make sure the sticks were in properly.

Yes I changed my boot priority to CD/DVD as #1. As far as setting the graphics in bios, maybe I just thought I was? But I found an option of where (I think) I'm telling it whether to use the onboard graphics card or the PCIe card.

 

[Adrian]

Suggestion

Yes the 6GB of memory is all DDR2. 2GB came with the computer and I later added in an extra 4. I checked to make sure the sticks were in properly.

Yes I changed my boot priority to CD/DVD as #1. As far as setting the graphics in bios, maybe I just thought I was? But I found an option of where (I think) I'm telling it whether to use the onboard graphics card or the PCIe card.

I suggest the following:

1. Go to your pc vendor support page and check for your bios and what update versions are available. (Your PC is an older model) Also investigate if there are any chipset updates.
2. Download the updates and burn them on a cd
3. After burning the updates reflash your bios.
4. Remove your new grfx card, depending on its power consumption you may have insufficient power to drive it.(Depends on PSU rating)
5. Ensure that all your memory sticks are firml seated.

Let us know how you progress, all of us will be popping in/out through out the day to give you a hand.

Adrian
P.S. DOn't pull out anymore of your hair.....

 

[DocBrown]

Check our Questions List !

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/28129-questions-use-help-installation-issues.html

Remove any un-necessary hardware for the installation. Try with your original 2gb of Ram Memory.

 

[gregrocker]

Remove all but 2gb of RAM to try install, then swap RAM, test RAM for 5-6 passes using memtest86.

Did you run Upgrade Advisor to see what issues 64 might present on that hardware?

The BIOS update might be important on older mobo. It is safest installed from Windows so follow the Read Me steps with great care.

Please fill out your System Specs in bottom left corner of post so we can help you find what you need. I cannot find your BIOS updates without knowing your Acer computer model.

 

[sheenaa]

I did run Upgrade Advisor and it said everything was fine for 64bit.

So I managed to get the 64bit installed and working by taking out 4GB of RAM and only using 2GB. I was feeling positive so I decided to put in the other 4, started it up, and the computer BSOD'd again. Am I seriously not going to be able to run the 64bit of Win7 with all my RAM?

After I originally got 64bit working, I went and downloaded the driver from ATI and got that installed, but unfortunately Windows had installed two updates for my HD graphics driver before I even realized. Is that what the problem is? When I blue screened this time it still gave the atikmdag.sys error...so I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

How do I get it to use my 6 gigs?

 

[Ztruker]

It sounds like the 4GB of ram is defective. Is it a single 4Gb stick or two 2GB sticks? If the latter, try then one at a time.

 

[sheenaa]

It's two 1GB sticks which came with the computer, and two 2GB sticks which I purchased recently. I don't understand how it would be a corrupt when it worked fine for the 32bit version?

 

[Ztruker]

64bit uses the memory differently than 32bit does. I would try them one at a time to see which one is causing the problem, then either replace it or run with 4GB.