Solved Fresh install on formatted SSD: no "install Windows" splash screen

[rontokyo]

Fresh install on formatted SSD: no "install Windows" splash screen

This is a system rebuild for a friend. Computer boots into Win7 64bit installation disk and loads Windows files. Next -- instead of opening the "Install Windows" splash screen [with "language to install," "time and currency" and "keyboard or input method" prompts] -- a blank light blue Windows 7 "Welcome screen" appears with only my mouse cursor in what appears to be safe mode screen resolution.

I should note that tapping F8 before the above process, I get a small bios prompt asking which drive to boot into. The ssd into which I want to install Windows appears [along with the choices Floppy and the Windows install disk]. My point is that the bios does recognize the ssd.

The ssd I'm trying to install Windows on originally contained a Japanese Win10 installation [updated from Win7]. I wiped that clean and formatted it [NFTS] on my own PC before trying the above Windows installation on the rebuild PC. I've tried installation numerous times, each time with the same results. I even tried using my wife's Win7 Japanese installation disk . . . and same results! This leads me to believe that it's somehow system related. However, the only thing to have changed on this rebuild PC is the OS -- no hardware changes from a previously functioning Japanese Win10 PC.

I am completely baffled by this. Help appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Ron,

There are some general requirements for loading W7 on newer PC's, so we need more info
Motherboard
EUFI or MBR install --- choice is yours
SSD type old/M2

from the above we will be able to give you a route to install
The blue screen your getting is i suspect the new style W10 default, black screen of death has gone

notes
Bios changes WILL be required -- dissable secure boot
newer ssd's will require drivers to be slipstreamed into your install media
W7 has no USB3 drivers more slipstreaming

 

[Megahertz07]

As torchwood already asked, Please edit your profile with ALL your hardware specs. It will help us to help you

System Info - See Your System Specs

 

[rontokyo]

Motherboard: Asus M4A78 PRO

EUFI or MBR install: I've tried two hard drives in addition to the SSD: [Hitachi 153GB and WD 2TB -- both MBR]. In both cases I continue to get the same resulting light blue blank "welcome" screen ["welcome" not present, but same Japanese motif as Win7 Welcome screen]. @torchwood, did you intend to write GPT instead of EUFI?

SSD type: Samsung 840

Re Secure Boot, I can find nothing in BIOS for Secure Boot. Security settings [found in Boot] allow only for password changes. As this is an old MB, is it possible that Secure Boot is not an option??

I have subsequently created a bootable USB containing the Win7 ISO. Results were exactly the same as I've experienced previously using my Win7 install dvd. I know there *must* be a solution to this. So I'm not ready to call it quits just yet .

Note that I hadn't considered a problem installing directly to the SSD. I remember now that Win7 was originally installed [on my wife's computer] onto a hdd and a few years later migrated to the SSD. For my purposes now, I'm willing to do the same thing and install first to the Hitachi drive. But the install has so far refused to provide me with the opening splash screen to allow me to choose the drive.

Thanks to both @torchwood and @Megahertz07 for replies.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Ron,

that reply was rather unexpected, i was expecting to see a much newer MB:shock: not a late Vista gaming model
(i know nothing about all the bells and whistles its got - you can tweak it once were up and running)
Please read the manual BEFORE you start -- link below

so THAT we can forget about EUFI, aka GPT
please enter the Bios and Reset to Default values - REBOOT
(your install media will now be required to use the MBR option)
If the PC only has 2gb of RAM please use the 32bit version of Windows - that board has a max of 32
(hope its only Home or Pro - Ultimate needs more)
Does it run now, if not please check which drive the Bios is using

post an update

notes
I dont believe its got far enough for it to be the Windows welcome splash screen
resetting MB defaults is always worthwhile, not even sure the MB has EUFI capabilities
drivers will not be an issue for the board or the SSD/HDD type


Further comments from the "Boys" most welcome


manual download link, used them before so i dont expect any problems

ASUS M4A78 Pro M4A78 PRO user's manual(English)

 

[Megahertz07]

As torchwood suggested, with 2G of memory, it will run much better with Win 7 32 bits.

If BIOS recognizes the SSD, there is no difference on the procedures to install Win 7.

Are you using a USB or a DVD as Win 7 installation drive?

Reset BIOS or load defaults.
Set Disk mode to AHCI, not RAID
Windows can be installed in two ways: Legacy-MBR or UEFI-GPT
To install as Legacy-MBR you must boot the installation drive as Legacy
To install as UEFI-GPT you must boot the installation drive as UEFI.

As you have an old MB, you should install as Legacy-MBR
Detach any other drives (SATA or Power cable) from the MB.

Boot from the Win 7 installation drive (SSD or DVD)
Go to install and delete ALL partitions on the SSD till you have one and only one unallocated space and then proceed.

 

[torchwood]

forgot to say, once you have reloaded Bios defaults, Ensure your install media option appears >>above<< the SSD

 

[rontokyo]

Yeah, I feel foolish for not having posted system info from the get-go. This machine was my first build with [at the time] all quality parts and has run like a champ for *years*. As my wife really only needed a PC for internet and nothing else, she inherited it [with a fresh install of Japanese Win7]. She recently upgraded to a new PC. When a friend mentioned he could use it solely for duping vinyl [something I did with it and continue to do], seemed like a perfect fit. Just had to replace the OS. . . .

I won't be able to get at it again until this afternoon [it's 6:30am now], and given the time difference between us you both will "off line." Just wanted to say thanks. Will post an update, one you all will get tomorrow.

Resetting the bios -- hadn't thought of doing that. But I'm not really sure what effect my not having done so has had. We'll see. But should I continue to get the "light blue Win Welcome screen of death", for sure I'll post a pic.

Oh. To be clear, the PC has *always* booted into the install media [both DVD and USB] and has gone thru the process of loading all Win files [as expected]. But subsequent to loading files, the expected Install Windows splash screen fails to appear. Oh well.

 

[torchwood]

Ron,

please confirm RAM value the the OS version

 

[rontokyo]

OS = Windows Home Premium -- will try the 32bit DVD next time.

Re RAM . . . I'm afraid age has finally caught up with me. Before giving the PC to my wife years ago, I pulled the memory originally in it and sold it along with other spare parts. The 2GB in it now is crap, but was good enough for her internet browsing. It's obvious I've got to replace/upgrade the memory for my friend and what he intends to use it for.

I'm wondering now if the combination of a 64bit OS install and the crap memory wasn't enough to have prevented a proper install.

 

[torchwood]

How much ram is on the system,,,, specs said 2, even home's gonna struggle a bit with that small amount

ps it should be ddr2

 

[Snick]

rontokyo

2GB of RAM is the minimum recommend amount for Windows 7 64 bit
So you should be fine,
32 bit works as well.

Is your copy of Win 7 in tact, may be a corrupt image, my thought.

 

[rontokyo]

Thanks, guys, for taking the time to help out. Here's the update: I reset the bios to "setup default" and tried both a bootable USB and DVD installation with 32 bit Windows. But, alas, same result: the blank Windows welcome screen [with no "welcome" message, just my cursor.] But this time, for the heck of it, I left the computer on, left home to run some errands for a couple of hours. And . . . [wait for it] the Windows Install Splash screen was up when I got home. Two possibilities for this success: one, both setting the bios to default settings + installing a more manageable 32 bit Windows did the trick or two, the Windows "welcome" screen with zero information and nothing but my cursor was actually a placeholder while Windows was performing unknown mysterious tasks. Before today, I never waited longer than 5-6 minutes before either trying again or calling it quits.

In any event, I bought more [DDR2] memory on auction and will either try the 64bit install later or, if that fails, do so after the new memory arrives.

For future reference [for what it's worth], I'm attaching a pix of the "welcome" screen. Many thanks one and all !

 

[torchwood]

Hi Ron,

Thats really ODD,
its the background for W7 on the first part of the setup

BUT its not reading the next instruction exe --- (smaller window) Install Windows

My guess the media is corrupt..... we can get you a link for a fresh install

 

[rontokyo]

Hi Ron, Thats really ODD,
its the background for W7 on the first part of the setup

Well, actually that's correct. [Unfortunately for me, I was unaware that it was the "first part of the setup."] As mentioned, if I'd given that screen more time it would've eventually opened the Install Windows splash screen. It was only by luck that I left that screen in place while I ran errands . . . and upon my return the Install splash screen was up.

Your offer for fresh install media is appreciated, but mine was OK as I was able this evening to install 64 bit Windows, even with only 2gb of memory. New memory is on its way -- once that's done + a few software installs, I'll be ready to hand it off to my friend. Again, thanks so much for time and assistance.

 

[Megahertz07]

You should use Win 7 32 bits if you have 4G or less memory.
Win 7 64 bits should be used if have more than 4G of memory.

For the updates use Single file with all updates - Simplix

 

[rontokyo]

Re the Win64 install, yes I'm aware of the memory requirements. But on the off-chance it would install I tried and successfully installed it. New upgraded memory will probably land on my doorstep Mon or Tues. I'll then have 8GB of ddr2-- sufficient for my friend's purposes.

Your suggestion of the Simplex install was most welcome . . . and timely. As my Win7 PC hasn't been properly updated in a few years, I successfully installed the update pack this morning for both it and the "rebuild" PC. Great work @Megahertz07 and many thanks!

I am, however, unclear about how to uninstall the telemetry files via cmd. Could you please explain the procedure.

 

[Megahertz07]

Click on the kb_spy.cmd.txt link to download the file.
Rename it as KB_Spy.cmd and run it.

 

[Snick]

rontokyo

I have Win7 x64 or x32 SP1 both clean ISOs from M$ Digital River, official download from M$ if you need them.