Help with Installation

[Doubledee]

Okay here's my problem I have a Dell Latitude D531 and the hard drive is shot. It was a 120GB drive that had Windows Vista. Well I bought a new drive 250GB WD drive and I'm trying to install Win7 Professional and here's my problem, when it starts. I get to the Windows is starting screen and it stays there. I'm tried another drive, I've tried using a USB boot device as well that I know works and no matter what I do the screen stays on Starting Windows Screen. I've also tried using a USB external DVD drive thinking that would help but same problem. I've updated the Bios on the Dell to the latest version and just can't figure out why the screen is stuck on "Starting Windows Screen". Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[DocBrown]

Welcome Doubledee


Is the new HD recognized in the Bios setup ? Do you have an ext monitor connected to the laptop during the install ? (Best not to have connected) Any other ext devices connected ?

 

[Doubledee]

Hi Doc-Yes the new drive is recognized in the Bios and no I don't have anything attached to the laptop. that's what's so puzzling.

 

[gregrocker]

Where did you get Win7? Did you burn the ISO to disk yourself? If so, confirm the ISO integrity and burn another DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed with Verify.

Try resetting the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways To Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS While in BIOS setup, set SATA controller setting to AHCI mode.

Remove all but 2gb of RAM to try install.

Can you still make a Win7 backup image of your failing HD to try reimaging it to new HD?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

 

[Doubledee]

Thanks Gregg-Yes I did make an iso and I have more than one. They all work flawlessy on other machines just not this one. I've tried 2GB still with no avail. I'll try the resetting the Cmos perhaps that will help or the change to ACHI mode. No I'm afraid the original drive is dead. I'll let you know how I make out.

 

[DocBrown]

Have you tried any other type of bootable CD/DVD to see if they work with this optical drive, and can run the program ?

Something like Partition Wizard :ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html?ltr=P

 

[Sardonicus]

If you have another OS like Vista or XP, try booting til you get to the partition screen.
Delete all partitions. Try booting again with Windows 7.

 

[theog]

Press F12 at startup, & the Dell quick system diagnostic tool.

 

[Doubledee]

Well I tried "EVERYTHING" still can't get Win7 to load. Ran diagnostics told me everything is fine. Called Dell they want 300.00 to load the OS so this old baby is toast! Well thanks everyone for your input!

 

[Bill2]

Try the solutions in this thread.

Windows Setup Hangs When "Setup Is Starting Windows" is displayed - New-System-Build - Homebuilt-Systems

 

[gregrocker]

There are other steps to try. We do not give up here and will always get an installation even if it has to be installed on another machine or imaged onto the HD.

Test your RAM using memtest86 for 5-6 passes or overnight: RAM - Test with Memtest86+ - Windows 7 Forums

Swap your RAM sticks to try another combination for install.

Try wiping the HD with Diskpart Clean command to wipe the boot sector of possible corruption, then follow the Step 2.2 here to create a partition with Diskpart and mark Active. SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Test your HD using maker's diagnostic/repair extended CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp

Try another HD for install.

If necessary, swap your HD into another machine to install with only it plugged in. Then immediately after install SysPrep your HD to remove all drivers, hardware ID's and move it to the problem computer, where it will install all drivers requesting several restarts. SysPrep to move HD to another computer

 

[Doubledee]

Thanks Greg-But still won't load and here's the kicker. I can load Windows Vista 32bit just fine. so I thought well just do an upgrade right? Nope same problem. Win7 just freezes on starting Windows.

 

[Doubledee]

I forgot to mention that the DVD\CD drive on this laptop is shot so I'm using a external USB DVD drive. I also tried using a USB bootable flash drive and both work on other machines. Could that be the problem?

 

[fafhrd]

Yep. physically remove the dvd drive and try again.

 

[Doubledee]

BINGO!-That's what it was!!! I just can't beleive it. Everyone thanks so much I knew there had to be a reason and would have never guessed it would be the drive. Thanks so much again! all's well now! Lesson well learned!!

 

[Dave76]

Glad you got it solved, interesting resolution, will remember this one.