Cannot boot upgrade CD

[MadMaxData]

I strongly suggest NOT flashing your BIOS for a problem like this. Do so at your own risk. It could very possibly render your machine useless.

 

[Snadbad]

Then what would you suggest? I'm unable to boot from any type of media, and now it seems I cannot even access safemode. I have access to the keyboard, but I am unable to use it at the actual prompt, although, I can get the prompt to pop up, and yes, USB support is on. I have a feeling my computer is just gone.

 

[gregrocker]

There is nothing unsafe with Updating your BIOS if done from Windows. We have helped hundreds of people here with installation issue who have updated BIOS without any problem, and never had a failure I know of.

Read all of the instructions given with BIOS upgrade. There may be a way to back up current BIOS first.

What were the results of your Memory and HD diagnostics test. Still waiting to hear. Have you tried zeroing your HD as suggested earlier in order to force DVD to autostart? You can use free Partition Wizard bootable CD which also autostarts to Wipe Disk to apply zeroes.

 

[Snadbad]

I want to update my BIOS first and see if that cures the problem before zeroing my hard-drive. I'd rather that be a last ditch option. I'll get those results on the mem / HD test to you ASAP.

 

[MadMaxData]

I want to update my BIOS first and see if that cures the problem before zeroing my hard-drive. I'd rather that be a last ditch option.

I would zero out a HDD before I would flash a BIOS. I've zeroed out at least a few hundred hard drives, and it's completely safe. Flashing a BIOS isn't, and I've never had to do it once in almost twenty years. Your choice.

 

[Snadbad]

Yes, but I don't have any alternative computers to use at the moment, so for all my school work and such, I still need to chug along on this thing. That's why I was anxious to get to Win7 quickly. When it didn't work, I was more than dismayed because I can't really take risks with this computer now like I can when I don't have school.

 

[gregrocker]

Have you tried running the WIn7 DVD from Vista? If it will run, create a second partiiton in Vista Disk Mgmt to install Win7 onto.

If the infection hampers you from trying this, then run Microsoft Security Essentials to clean it up.

Later we can help you remove Vista once you know Win7 works right.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/5166-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-vista.html

 

[Snadbad]

I can't because the Win 7 license I have is for 64 - bit, not 32. However, I suppose I could email Microsoft and ask to exchange or something.

 

[DocBrown]

The win7 license Key Code you have should work with either the 32bit or the 64bit,
but since I asume your student download was the 64bit, therefore you don't have any 32bit media to try to install.

 

[MadMaxData]

The win7 license Key Code you have should work with either the 32bit or the 64bit,
but since I asume your student download was the 64bit, therefore you don't have any 32bit media to try to install.

Huh? His CPU supports the x64 platform.

And yes, the product keys work with both achitectures.

 

[gregrocker]

You might want to check this out: Microsoft Fixes Windows 7 Student Edition Upgrade Problems - Windows 7 student edition - Gizmodo

 

[Snadbad]

I have the 32 bit ISO now. What should I attempt to do? I'll try it this weekend, I guess.

 

[gregrocker]

Burn it using ImgBurn at 4x speed with Verify.

Try booting the installer first to Custom install. If it fails, try running it from Vista.

Post back exact error message or fail point if it doesn't succeed.

 

[DocBrown]

Just saw in your specs Dual Monitors !

Did you have both connected when you have been trying to do the win7 installs ?

Have you read this Questions list in our install section ?

http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...-use-help-installation-issues.html#post300660

 

[Snadbad]

Ah yeah, I have dual monitors, but I tried it even with one monitor unplugged, no dice. And no, I have not read that.

Also: The monitors are VGA - > DVI.

 

[Snadbad]

Hey guys, so I tried to run the setup through PowerISO I figured I could just mount it. And that I could, however, when I get to the part where I choose my HD, it does not find it there. The hard drive is Serial ATA, and if I click load drivers, nothing pops up. The HD I'm using is Western Digital WD5000AAKS I think

 

[gregrocker]

You are using 32 bit Win7 ISO to mount and run in 32 bit Vista?

Try burning it at 4X using ImgBurn with Verify. Then try booting it and running from Vista as first a Custom install and then an Upgrade install.

Next try shrinking Vista partition in Disk Management to create a second partition to test install Win7 32 bit from Vista, and from boot.

Report back results.

 

[Snadbad]

I'm mounting it because my computer was not booting from DVD's or USB's. Is there something wrong with having a SATA hard drive? I did read that some people had problems with it, but I was unable to find the driver. When I went to WD's site, they didn't even have drivers.

 

[gregrocker]

It isn't the HD exactly, but the SATA controller driver (which drives the HD) which absence can make a HD not appear in installer. However, Win7 installer should be driver complete for all SATA drivers - it is XP which is becoming outdated with the newer SATA drivers.

Are you following this to boot DVD? Boot from CD - How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD - Boot to CD

 

[Snadbad]

I've tried multiple times, the past 5 pages of this thread were basically how my computer would hang and not boot from any bootable media. I'm rather sure mounting is my only way out of this.