Can't do a fresh install of Windows 7.

[dsscottage]

You could try creating a USB flash stick and see if that will boot / install Windows.
You need at least a 4 GB flash stick, and nothing on it that needs to be kept !

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

Unfortunately, this computer is so old that it doesn't allow dooting from a USB stick.

 

[Layback Bear]

How about your computer is so old it has a C/D player and not a DVD player.

 

[DavidE]

In post #15 the OP stated "-The DVD can be correctly read from Windows Explorer"
It seems the PC does have a DVD drive.

 

[Layback Bear]

I noticed that but the OP does not state which computer he can read the DVD from.

Is the OP using the computer that boots the DVD to read the DVD using Windows Explorer or the computer that can't boot the DVD and using Windows Explorer to read the DVD?

To answer the question would be simple. Pull out the optical drive and check the numbers on Google.

Or Speccy would also give the information. From my computer.

Optical Drives
CD-ROM Drive
Media Type BD Writer
Name CD-ROM Drive
Availability Running/Full Power
Capabilities Random Access, Supports Writing, Supports Removable Media
Read capabilities CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, BD-R, BD-ROM, BD-RE
Write capabilities CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, BD-R, BD-RE
Config Manager Error Code Device is working properly
Config Manager User Config FALSE
Drive D:
Media Loaded FALSE
SCSI Bus 3
SCSI Logical Unit 0
SCSI Port 3
SCSI Target Id 0
Status OK

 

[DavidE]

Good points Jack,
Maybe i made a bad assumption about which PC could read the DVD in Windows Explorer, and that Speccy info might help.

Also, from post #8

5. I'm thrashing about looking for a solution so I ran the Win 7 disk setup file from Windows Explorer within Windows 7. When I tried to reinstall over the existing Windows on partition C, it failed and gave me a BSOD. Then I tried to install it in the empty partition F: and it installed correctly. Now, when I boot, I still get the black bootmgr screen (with 2 Win 7 options) but it is still unresponsive. It ultimately times out and boots to the new Windows on partition F: This new Windows on partition F works as it should.

It was after that the OP fixed the BIOS setting to be able to use the USB keyboard with Legacy support.

Are there now 2 Win 7 OS's
- can either be selected from the Boot Menu
- the original OS is a problem - the new [F] OS is not a problem ? Maybe a Repair Install should be tried for the problematic [C] OS ? [URL]http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html[/URL] From the Repair Install tutorial: [QUOTE]You can only do a repair install from [B]within Windows 7[/B]. You[B] cannot [/B]do a repair install[B] at boot [/B]or in [URL="http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/69585-safe-mode.html"][B]Safe Mode[/B][/URL]. [/QUOTE]

 

[dsscottage]

Sorry if I wasn't clear.

The computer with the problem has both a DVD-RW and a CD-RW. I do know which is which and when I place a bootable DVD in the DVD drive, it will not boot but I can read and load the contents from Windows Explorer. That same DVD-RW drive will boot a CD. I don't understand the reason but trust me that is what is happening.

I'm in the middle of a process now which I believe will give me a working Win 7. Actually, I had it working but I screwed it up doing something else.

If and when I ever get this finished, I'll post my results.

 

[dsscottage]

Thanks to the help from everyone in this thread as well as a lot of internet searches (and maybe a little dumb luck), my problem is resolved.

The issue is so obscure that this may not happen to anyone else but just in case it helps one person, here is a summary of the issue and solution.

The problem:

• Win 7 Ultimate was installed on a very old computer. It ran extremely slowly. A minute or so after boot, CPU usage went to 100% and stayed there. As a result any other action took forever.

• The Win 7 DVD (or any other DVD) would not boot in the DVD drive. Therefore, a complete reinstall couldn't be done.

• A CD could boot in the DVD drive.

The plan:
Format the HDD, install Win XP, then install Win 7 by running the Win 7 setup program from the Win 7 DVD using Windows Explorer.

The next problems:

• The new installation of Win 7 Ultimate had the same problem (100% CPU usage)

• I had a Win 7 Home Basic DVD and tried the same thing but received the following error when attempting to install. "Windows could not retrieve information about the disks on this computer"

Here is what worked:

• Using Minitool Partition Wizard, I created and formatted 2 partitions on the HDD

• Installed Win XP in partition D

• In Win XP, open Device Manager, click on the HDD Properties/Volume and click on "Populate", then leave it open. (Win 7 wouldn't install otherwise)

• Using the Win 7 Ultimate DVD and Win XP Windows Explorer, ran the Win 7 setup file to install Win 7 Ultimate on partition C.

• Boot to Win 7 Ultimate (still running at 100% CPU occupancy) and install Win 7 Home Basic (a different DVD) on partition D.

Now Win 7 Home Basic is running correctly on partition D:

I hate things that don't make sense and this is one of them but it worked.

Thank-you to everyone in this thread who made suggestions. They were a great help!

 

[DavidE]

You're welcome and glad to hear you have it solved.

I was going to suggest try disconnecting the CD-RW drive and then see if you can install the Win7 DVD in the DVD drive.
Maybe BIOS sometimes get confused with 2 optical drives connected, but that's just a guess.
You could still try that idea if you're interested, just to see if the DVD will boot.

Also, did you ever try using the one-time boot menu with the Win 7 install disk in the drive ?
Maybe that would list and correctly use the DVD drive and boot the DVD for install.

Just guesses here.

 

[dsscottage]

You're welcome and glad to hear you have it solved.

I was going to suggest try disconnecting the CD-RW drive and then see if you can install the Win7 DVD in the DVD drive.
Maybe BIOS sometimes get confused with 2 optical drives connected, but that's just a guess.
You could still try that idea if you're interested, just to see if the DVD will boot.

As you can probably tell from my convoluted solution, I tried many logical and illogical solutions. I did disconnect the CD drive but it didn't make any difference.

Also, did you ever try using the one-time boot menu with the Win 7 install disk in the drive ?
Maybe that would list and correctly use the DVD drive and boot the DVD for install.

Just guesses here.

Yes. I tried that too with the same results. The CD drive isn't listed as a boot option in either the BIOS or the one time boot menu. (Probably because it is not a primary drive)

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[DavidE]

Ok, understood, good troubleshooting !

Are the optical dives connected with PATA cables, the old wide ribbon cable, that can have 2 devices per cable ?
Or the newer SATA cables, smaller, one device per cable ?

I'm still just curious

 

[DavidE]

fyi, Forgot to mention,
I've seen many threads recently where folks are having issues with installing Windows Updates after a clean install.
It may take up to 24 hours to install all the updates.

 

[dsscottage]

Ok, understood, good troubleshooting !

Are the optical dives connected with PATA cables, the old wide ribbon cable, that can have 2 devices per cable ?
Or the newer SATA cables, smaller, one device per cable ?

I'm still just curious

It's an old computer so they are connected with the old wide ribbon cables.

 

[dsscottage]

fyi, Forgot to mention,
I've seen many threads recently where folks are having issues with installing Windows Updates after a clean install.
It may take up to 24 hours to install all the updates.

Yup! There are 213 updates and it takes forever!

To add to my sad story of grief, I had Win 7 Home Basic working to my satisfaction with all the updates installed and decided to reinstall Windows XP in a dual boot arrangement. I screwed it up and ended up with a computer that wouldn't boot at all! Therefore, I had to go through the whole process again!

Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy!

 

[DavidE]

Ok, understood, good troubleshooting !

Are the optical dives connected with PATA cables, the old wide ribbon cable, that can have 2 devices per cable ?
Or the newer SATA cables, smaller, one device per cable ?

I'm still just curious

It's an old computer so they are connected with the old wide ribbon cables.

OK, those cables/devices do have Master/Slave/Cable-Select options, but you may have already tested that stuff.

I remember deciding to use Cable-Select so i didn't have make sure the Master/Slave Device was connected to the correct cable "connector".

I don't think i ever had 2 optical drives in 1 PC.

 

[DavidE]

fyi, Forgot to mention,
I've seen many threads recently where folks are having issues with installing Windows Updates after a clean install.
It may take up to 24 hours to install all the updates.

Yup! There are 213 updates and it takes forever!

To add to my sad story of grief, I had Win 7 Home Basic working to my satisfaction with all the updates installed and decided to reinstall Windows XP in a dual boot arrangement. I screwed it up and ended up with a computer that wouldn't boot at all! Therefore, I had to go through the whole process again!

Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy!

I've been there and done that so many times, but that's how we learn
What i learned is to create periodic System Image backups, it's a lot quicker to restore an image.
Now I'm using Macrium Reflect (free) and it works great for me.