Double installation causing problems

[Frein]

Skip to the * if you feel like TLDR.

So, after going through every trick in the book, I was unable to make browsing happen on a 64bit Win7 (any and every browser would randomly hang the system completely), so my only option was to switch to 32bit.

The first installation failed and got stuck in a black screen with a frozen cursor. After a restart the installer told me I could continue the installation after a reset, so I did that, only to be greeted with the same message. This happened over and over a few times, so I figured it's not going to work and I'll have to make a fresh install.

Then something mysterious happens and I'm not yet sure what exactly happened. In any case, the end result was that I still had some of my 64bit installation remaining including some files I downloaded while trying to make it work in addition to my 32bit installation on my other drive (which I was not planning on formatting). The only explanation I can come up with is that I somehow managed to format the wrong drive, not once, but twice.

*
And this is where my current problem begins. I'd very much like to format the drive with the 64bit stuff, but Windows won't let me. I've tried doing it from the command prompt but it says "Access Denied as you do not have sufficient privileges. You have to invoke this utility running in elevated mode." I'm the system admin! How can I not have sufficient privileges? And what is "elevated mode"?

Ok, so on we go to the Disc Manager. This time I'm greeted with "Windows cannot format the system partition on this disk.". Great.

Actually, now that I think about it, I suppose booting from the CD might do the trick. Still, for some reason the installer takes its time starting (was much faster in for the 64bit version) and I'm getting tired of playing with the boot order, anyway.

So, I'm wondering if there is any way to format a disc with system files from another Windows installation without going through the CD boot. Any solutions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[profdlp]

...I'd very much like to format the drive with the 64bit stuff, but Windows won't let me. I've tried doing it from the command prompt but it says "Access Denied as you do not have sufficient privileges. You have to invoke this utility running in elevated mode." I'm the system admin! How can I not have sufficient privileges? And what is "elevated mode"?...

Elevated Command Prompt:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/783-elevated-command-prompt.html

If it still gives you grief, blow out the partition and start over:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

Hope this helps.

 

[karlsnooks]

Welcome to SevenForums.

Following will allow you to solve your problems:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[myzr7]

Welcome to SevenForums.
I like this tutorial for all things that you may need. Try the option 3 wipe a partition. Good luck to you!
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html

 

[Frein]

Elevated Command Prompt:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/783-elevated-command-prompt.html

Meh, even doing this it still wouldn't let me. Why does it have to be so hard? I guess its for security reasons, or something.

Welcome to SevenForums.
I like this tutorial for all things that you may need. Try the option 3 wipe a partition. Good luck to you!
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html

This wizard seems like the easiest and fastest way to do a secure erase. I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

 

[gregrocker]

Please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt drive map and listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu.

You may have the System MBR still on the 64 bit drive if you left it plugged during new install in or it's on the same HD as the new install. In that case, we can show you how to recover the System MBR and if desired the HD space into your new Win7 install.

 

[Frein]

Please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt drive map and listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu.

You may have the System MBR still on the 64 bit drive if you left it plugged during new install in or it's on the same HD as the new install. In that case, we can show you how to recover the System MBR and if desired the HD space into your new Win7 install.

This is what it looks like:

Not sure what MBR stands for but disc 0 is the one with 64bit stuff I want to format.

edit: In other news, I just had my first browser crash in 32bit... this does not bode well. I guess my hardware isn't compatible with Windows 7.

 

[gregrocker]

Mark the D and E drives Inactive, then C drive Active using free Partition Wizard bootable CD, or using DISKPART commands from Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD Command Line: Partition - Mark as Active - Windows 7 Forums.URL

Unplug DISK0 and swap its cable to DISK1 or set it as first HD to boot in BIOS setup.

Then boot the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD, accept any offered repair. If it fails to restart to WIn7, boot back in, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to write the System MBR to WIn7. Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times - Windows 7 Forums.URL

If you have a crash, start a new topic in our Crashes forum here where the real geniuses will help you upload a debugging report and find the problem for you.

I would also consider a clean reinstall to wiped HD as you have a partitioning mess there that could have caused some of your problems. Best to overwrite any conflicting code for the freshest slate: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Forums.URL

 

[Frein]

I did actually eventually do a new clean install with both drives completely wiped clean. For some reason I was unable to get the 32 bit installation through (always crashed at some point), so I just went back to 64 bit. Well, it doesn't really matter since I couldn't get my browsers stable in 32 bit, either. I've had a couple hangups so far but it's at least semi-stable.

 

[myzr7]

Happy to see that you have had some successful progress. Keep a eye on your windows updater might get some help with driver updates. Thanks for getting back with us on what you have done to solve your issue.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you send problem reports on the browser hangs to MS? They might have sent back a solution cued in Notification Center in System tray.

Often browser hangs are faulty Flashplayer or Java Runtime install. Are these known to be up to date? Reinstall from the Flashplayer and Java Runtime websites.

Go to Computer>Properties click on WEI score, choose Advanced Tools and google repeat errors at time of hang in Performance log. Look for cued issues at top of Tools page, then Generate a System Health Report.

I would work with IE8 as it is the best ever and rock-solid stable in Win7. Uninstall others.

 

[Frein]

I can't send a problem report because the crash completely and instantly freezes the system and nothing responds. I can't even move the cursor. This even happens with a clean install with no programs/new drivers installed.

It's probably not Flash or Java as I've had it crash with neither installed. Updating all my drivers doesn't help. I've also tried mimicing the stable safe mode by disabling all the services that aren't running in safe mode but it still crashes. I'm thinking it's a hardware problem associated with my Abit Ab9 Pro motherboard, but it didn't happen with WinXP, so it's triggered by Win7.

 

[gregrocker]

Are there Win7 or Vista mobo drivers?

Try another browser?

 

[Frein]

Are there Win7 or Vista mobo drivers?

Try another browser?

There are no Vista or Win7 drivers since Abit went bankrupt some time ago. I did, however, update the chipset (Intel 965) and ethernet controller drivers.

Also, every browser crashes the same way. I've tried IE8 32 and 64bit, Firefox 3.6 and 4 beta and the latest version of Chrome. I haven't yet had anything else crash the system that way, so it's almost certainly somehow tied to browsers.

It also seems pretty random. I can go hours with no crashes, then crash thrice in fifteen minutes. The more I do the more likely it is to crash, though at least if there is video playing, it can crash even with no input from me.

 

[myzr7]

Have you tried to run in compatibility mode. Not sure what that does but can't hurt to try. tools/compatibility settings/ run all web pages in compatibility. This is found in IE8.

 

[gregrocker]

Agree, try installing the old XP drivers in XP compatibility modes to see if it relieves the problem. Compatibility Mode You will want to become intimately familar with compatibility mode for installing some programs, as well. Remember that you are finding the installer's executable file to rightlick>Properties>Compat.

However, most browser crashes I've seen are related to flash player's correct install, or not.

I gave you the steps to google repeat errors in Event Viewer>Admin view and Performance log where these failures are logged. What did you find? You have to do the work to get to the fix.

 

[Frein]

Have you tried to run in compatibility mode. Not sure what that does but can't hurt to try. tools/compatibility settings/ run all web pages in compatibility. This is found in IE8.

Did not help and neither did running Firefox in XP compatibility mode.

Agree, try installing the old XP drivers in XP compatibility modes to see if it relieves the problem. Compatibility Mode You will want to become intimately familar with compatibility mode for installing some programs, as well. Remember that you are finding the installer's executable file to rightlick>Properties>Compat.

IIRC I tried the drivers but got an error message saying the version of Windows was not supported. Can you really get around it like that? I'll have to give it another shot.

I gave you the steps to google repeat errors in Event Viewer>Admin view and Performance log where these failures are logged. What did you find? You have to do the work to get to the fix.

Hmm, I completely missed that. I'll have to see if there is anything there. Firefox at least fails to store any error data.

I was thinking of trying the SP1 beta as well. Also, it's far-fetched but I have ordered a new video card as I needed one anyway.

 

[gregrocker]

Try using IE8 as it is finally in Win7 rock-solid stable with better features IMO.

The video card may well resolve probs.

 

[Frein]

Ok, so I checked the event viewer and the only error it reports is from the restart following a sudden shutdown.

The mobo drivers from the Abit homepage turned out to be simply older versions of the drivers I already updated.

The new Gefore 460 did not solve the problem, either. I'll just have to give the SP beta a try and if it doesn't help, I'm done with Windows 7.

Also, I don't think it has anything to do with Flash or the contents of the web pages in general, as I've had it crash the very moment I double click the icon, even before the window appears and one crash happened during the window opening animation we get in Win7. Also, IE 64bit crashes the same as any browser and Flash doesn't even support it.

 

[gregrocker]

IE 64bit crashes the same as any browser and Flash doesn't even support it.

You're a little shy on the RAM to be running 64 bit. It might be worth it to try again on a 32 bit install. Check for latest BIOS update, if none clear the CMOS then set SATA controller to AHCI: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/tp/clearcmos.htm. Wipe the HD, unplug everything else.

I run almost exclusively 32 bit because I don't like the problems that stack up in 64 bit installs, especially on my lower RAM (4gb<) machines.

Did installing chipset in XP SP2 Compatibility Mode help any?

Do you have any drivers cued in optional Windows Updates and are your Updates current? SP1 is likely just going to be a rollup of first year's updates.