Many people are posting in this category with the same problems, so I have put together a guide listing common scenarios and their solutions. One thing to note is that while an In-Place Upgrade may seem easier, there is a greater chance that something may go wrong. Most of the users on this forum agree that doing a clean install is the safer option.
One tip does not fall into any category. If you created the disc yourself (e.g. you downloaded the files, and created a bootable disc from them), try burning at the slowest speed possible.
Make sure the power cable is plugged in, as well.
Disconnect all unnecessary hardware from the system. This includes hard drives, video cards, USB devices, and expansion cards. Remove all but one stick of RAM.
Use the VGA output on your card if possible.
These problems can also be caused by bad RAM. Run a memory diagnostic overnight, using Memest86 or something similar.
If nothing above works, you may have bad installation media. What condition is the disc in? Verify your copy of Windows came from a reputable source. Try burning a new DVD, using the slowest speed possible.
What to try:
Make sure that the partition is primary, active, and formatted with NTFS.
Instructions for marking a partition as active using Diskpart:
Open an elevated command prompt:
Method 1: From Windows
Click on Start and type “command prompt”
Right-click on the application and select “Run as administrator”
Choose “Yes” when asked to confirm
Method 2: From a Windows install/repair disc
Boot into the install/repair disc and wait for it to load
Choose “Repair my computer”
Select “Command Prompt”
Type diskpart and press enter.
Enter list disk and note the number of the disk you want to install on.
Enter select disk n n is the number of the disk.
Enter list partition and note the number of the partition you want to install on.
Enter select partition n n is the number of the partition.
Enter active
You can now close the command prompt and re-attempt installation.
What to try:
If possible, boot into the install disc and run the installation from there, as opposed to running setup.exe from withing Windows.
Make sure that the HDD is detected in BIOS.
Try changing the SATA setting in the BIOS to AHCI, or IDE if AHCI is already set.
As a last resort, because this will erase your data, try this tutorial.
What to try:
Sometimes setup fails when recovery partitions are still present. For example, Acer and HP both put a special recovery partition on their systems, that cannot be easily deleted.
To delete the partition using Diskpart:
Open a copy of Diskpart following the instructions given earlier.
Enter list disk
Enter select disk n
Enter list partition
Enter select partition n
Enter delete partition override
Now try reinstalling Windows.
What to try:
Change the BIOS setting from IDE to AHCI or RAID (if your planning to use RAID).
AHCI is for SATA components, HD, DVD etc.
If AHCI or RAID is set in the BIOS it will install the drivers.
Windows 7 is trying to find IDE drivers for a SATA DVD.
Change the BIOS and try the install again.
Some users have also reported that they solved this problem by deleting the recovery partitions that came with the computer.
If you still have problems with the DVD drive try installing with a USB memory key: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html
Thanks to Dave76 for the last solution, in this post.
If nothing is working, try clearing your CMOS. There is usually an option in the BIOS to reset to defaults, or something along those lines.
If none of the above suggestions work for you, please create a new thread in the Installation section. DO NOT reply to this post with your question.
One tip does not fall into any category. If you created the disc yourself (e.g. you downloaded the files, and created a bootable disc from them), try burning at the slowest speed possible.
Make sure the power cable is plugged in, as well.
Problem: Setup is stuck at X%
What to try:Disconnect all unnecessary hardware from the system. This includes hard drives, video cards, USB devices, and expansion cards. Remove all but one stick of RAM.
Use the VGA output on your card if possible.
These problems can also be caused by bad RAM. Run a memory diagnostic overnight, using Memest86 or something similar.
If nothing above works, you may have bad installation media. What condition is the disc in? Verify your copy of Windows came from a reputable source. Try burning a new DVD, using the slowest speed possible.
Problem: Error message “Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition.”
What to try:
Make sure that the partition is primary, active, and formatted with NTFS.
Instructions for marking a partition as active using Diskpart:
Open an elevated command prompt:
Method 1: From Windows
Click on Start and type “command prompt”
Right-click on the application and select “Run as administrator”
Choose “Yes” when asked to confirm
Method 2: From a Windows install/repair disc
Boot into the install/repair disc and wait for it to load
Choose “Repair my computer”
Select “Command Prompt”
Type diskpart and press enter.
Enter list disk and note the number of the disk you want to install on.
Enter select disk n n is the number of the disk.
Enter list partition and note the number of the partition you want to install on.
Enter select partition n n is the number of the partition.
Enter active
You can now close the command prompt and re-attempt installation.
Problem: Setup does not recognize hard drive during installation
What to try:
If possible, boot into the install disc and run the installation from there, as opposed to running setup.exe from withing Windows.
Make sure that the HDD is detected in BIOS.
Try changing the SATA setting in the BIOS to AHCI, or IDE if AHCI is already set.
As a last resort, because this will erase your data, try this tutorial.
Problem: Setup forces computer to reboot, and never finishes installation
What to try:
Sometimes setup fails when recovery partitions are still present. For example, Acer and HP both put a special recovery partition on their systems, that cannot be easily deleted.
To delete the partition using Diskpart:
Open a copy of Diskpart following the instructions given earlier.
Enter list disk
Enter select disk n
Enter list partition
Enter select partition n
Enter delete partition override
Now try reinstalling Windows.
Problem: Missing CD/DVD Drivers...
What to try:
Change the BIOS setting from IDE to AHCI or RAID (if your planning to use RAID).
AHCI is for SATA components, HD, DVD etc.
If AHCI or RAID is set in the BIOS it will install the drivers.
Windows 7 is trying to find IDE drivers for a SATA DVD.
Change the BIOS and try the install again.
Some users have also reported that they solved this problem by deleting the recovery partitions that came with the computer.
If you still have problems with the DVD drive try installing with a USB memory key: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html
Thanks to Dave76 for the last solution, in this post.
If nothing is working, try clearing your CMOS. There is usually an option in the BIOS to reset to defaults, or something along those lines.
If none of the above suggestions work for you, please create a new thread in the Installation section. DO NOT reply to this post with your question.
Last edited:
My Computer
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Custom
- OS
- Windows 7 Professional x64
- CPU
- Intel i7 2600K OC'd @ 4620 MHz
- Motherboard
- Asus P8Z68-V Pro
- Memory
- 16GB GSkill Sniper 2133 Mhz (4x4GB)
- Graphics Card(s)
- EVGA GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked+
- Sound Card
- Realtek High Definition Audio
- Monitor(s) Displays
- 2x Acer S273HLbmii 27"
- Screen Resolution
- 2 x 1920x1080
- Hard Drives
- 64GB Crucial M4 SSD
Storage: Hitachi 1TB 5400RPM, Samsung 1.5TB 5400RPM
- PSU
- Corsair HW Series 750w (modular)
- Case
- Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced Blue Edition
- Cooling
- CM Hyper 212+ CPU cooler, 3x 230mm + 1x 140mm case fans
- Keyboard
- Logitech MK320 (wireless)
- Mouse
- Logitech MK320 (wireless)
- Internet Speed
- 30 Mb/s : 2 Mb/s
