I'm at wits end =(

[Dvaren]

I recently rebuilt one on my computers into a new case (and added new harddrives and video card).

Afterwards I attempted to install Windows 7 PRO 64bit. It hangs at the first "Starting Windows." I have been browsing these forums and just about every other one on the net trying EVERY solution I have come across. These are my specs:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750
RAM: G.Skill F2-8800CL5Q-8GBPI (2GBx4)
VGA: EVGA GTX460 1GB
PSU: Ultra X3 1000watt
MOBO: Asus P5E
HDD: (1) OCZ Agility 60GB SSD, (1) Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB

This is what I have tried so far:

(1) I have removed everything except 1 stick of ram, PSU, 1 optical drive, and 1 hard drive and VGA.
(1b) I have tried 2 different hard drives, both brand new, 1 SSD and 1 mechanical
(1c) I have tried 3 different optical drives, from 2 different manufacturers, 1 of which I bought brand new to perform these tests.
(1d) I have replaced every SATA data cord.
(1e) I have tried a spare ATI video card.

(2) I have disabled everything possible in the BIOS.
(2a) I have flashed the BIOS
(2b) I have loaded defaults to BIOS
(2c) I have removed the battery for 24 hours
(2d) I have tried installing as IDE, RAID, and AHCI

(3) I have bought a new keyboard.
(3a) I have tried and am currently using a ps/2 keyboard.
(3b) I have tried 2 different mice and currently I am using no mouse.

(4) I have changed the voltages and timings on RAM to match manufacturers specs. I currently have RAM at suggested voltage, but underclocked AND with loose timings (I really thought the RAM was the issue)
(4a) I had run MEMTEST on the RAM prior to the re-build, and all sticks pass together and individually
(4b) I have tried all 4 sticks of RAM in all 4 slots of the motherboard. I have tried 1, 2, 3, and 4 sticks of RAM. I am currently on 1 stick which I have changed out with the other 3 sticks and tried in various slots.

(5) I have tried 2 different Windows 7 PRO 64bit disks (both of which tested fine on multiple other computers)

(6) I have let the computer sit for 2, 10, 24 and 48 hours after it hangs.

(7) I have tried removing and reinserting the Windows disks after it hangs.

None of this has had any effect whatsoever. There are likely a multitude of other suggestions that I've tried (and failed) that I do not remember. Is there something I am missing???? I'm really out of clever ideas =(

 

[kword88]

when it gets to "starting windows", how long did you wait? i would give it at least an hour.

 

[DocBrown]

What type of monitor connection? VGA, DVI, HDMI ?

 

[Dvaren]

when it gets to "starting windows", how long did you wait? i would give it at least an hour.

I have given it up to 48 hours, lol

 

[Dvaren]

What type of monitor connection? VGA, DVI, HDMI ?

The video card has twin DVI and the monitor is VGA so I'm using a VGA/DVI coupler

Also: I have made a bootable flash drive, as was suggested elsewhere, and that too has the same exact problem. I figured I'd better mention that as I forgot in my OP

 

[DocBrown]

What is the make & model of the monitor? What output connections are on the spare ATI video card?

 

[Dvaren]

What is the make & model of the monitor? What output connections are on the spare ATI video card?

I have tried two monitors, a Hp w2408h and a Dell Ultrasharp 19 inch (older model)

Both video cards have twin DVI connections (gtx 460 and HD2900XT). How they are connected (DVI, HDMI, or DVI/VGA coupled) doesnt seem to make a difference, unfortunately.

In every case I've tried, Windows loads files and then freezes at "Starting Windows". The colorful logo does not even show up.

 

[DocBrown]

Does you MB have a VGA connection, so you can try without a video card ?

 

[Dvaren]

Does you MB have a VGA connection, so you can try without a video card ?

No, the MOBO is an Asus P5E. No integrated graphics. Also, if it matter, this system is a re-build...not entirely a fresh build. This is the same motherboard, RAM, CPU and VGA that was previously running Win7PRO64 flawlessly. The only thing that has changed is the cooling system, hard drives and case.

 

[DocBrown]

Do you still have the orig HD with win7 pro on it ? Can you still try it ?

 

[Dvaren]

Do you still have the orig HD with win7 pro on it ? Can you still try it ?

No...the original was a WD Raptor...one fo the old 75 gig'ers. It failed in a spectacularly final fashion

 

[DocBrown]

Can you find a friend that may have a compatible video card with a VGA out connector to try? This is some what of a stumper, considering all that you have tried.

 

[gregrocker]

Where did you get Win7? Did you burn it yourself? If so, burn another DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed.

Next try install from flash stick: Install UltraISO trial version, Open ISO on File tab, Write Image File on Bootable tab, Format, Write to stick.

You can also try wiping the HD first, but the hang at loading is normally installer, BIOS, or Memory. Or your build could have problems with connections or settings.

When I run out of time for troubleshooting, I apply a Win7 image to the HD using Acronis 10+ with Universal Restore which removes all drivers during imaging and prepares to start on other Hardware. You can also use Paraqgon Adaptive Restore CD on the HD to do the same thing once imaged. You may not even need those tools as failure to start on changed hardware is usually a combination of driver conflicts and you have much the same hardware.

 

[Dave76]

Great work on the trouble shooting.

Can you find a graphics card with a VGA connection, as Doc suggested?

Did you have an internet cable connected before the install?

Are you using BIOS version 1404? Or beta 1503?

Have you installed a new CMOS battery?

Is this RAM on the MOBO compatible list?
Do you have access to another brand of RAM, preferably on the MOBO compatible list, for testing purposes?
If you find one, use only one RAM card again.

When you tried the install via memory stick was the CD/DVD disconnected?

Disable all power saving features in BIOS.
CoolnQuite is a known Asus feature that causes installation issues, your MOBO doesn't appear to have this so disable all others for the install.

ASUS EPU
AI Nap
Q-Fan 2
C1E support - Disable​

Try manually loading your Chipset drivers during the installation.


Sounds like you have been very thorough, but just to confirm, have you checked for any grounding points on the motherboard?

If the above fail to help you may want to remove the motherboard from the case (bench test) and disconnect everything then start computer and check the beep codes, if OK add one component and check beep codes, etc.

Your Asus P5E Manual.

Beep codes are on page 3-1.

 

[spinifex]

What about a Linux OS that runs off disk or old HDD, to see if you can get through with that.
I realise you may not want Linux, but use it as part of trouble shooting to see what happens.

 

[Dvaren]

Sorry for the delay in response, I fell asleep last night, lol. Let me answer a few of these real quick..

I can try to find a VGA output video card. I have a few but theyre all AGP, lol. I'll ask around.

I do not have Linux, but I do have XP.

I have 2 retail copies of Windows 7. Both fail equally as well! =p

Ethernet cable unplugged and LAN adapter disabled.

The newest BIOS listed for my board, that is not BETA, is 1201 I believe and that came out January '09.

I have not installed a new CMOS battery.

I could probably find different RAM to test with, but the tests Ive already done on the RAM have been so extensive, that I doubt it's the issue this time. I say this, also, because I've built this rig before with this RAM, lol. This is just a rebuild with new case/hdd's/cooling.

I was not aware of losing the DvD when I tried installing via flash drive, no.

I have just about everything disabled in BIOS, but I want to go back and check if the things listed are also disabled.

I have no idea how to manually load chipset drivers during a 7 install and I havent seen an option? Where exactly is it?

As to grounding the mobo...lol...I actually have tried that, but for another reason! I had initially not installed one of the rubber washers under the northbridge heatsink clamps, and BOY OH BOY did it take me a long time to figure THAT out, lol.

On another note...after leaving the system ANOTHER 24 hours, it got to the "select a drive" portion of the install. It has made it this far once before but failed again immediately after. I'll post the results this time after I wait again...lol

Thanks everyone

 

[Dvaren]

Well of COURSE not, *sigh*

After Windows expanded files and all that crap, and restarted itself, I'm back at "Starting Windows" with no logo. Been this way for over 24 hours now.

 

[gregrocker]

Try installing XP, then launch Win7 DVD from XP.

Next try extracting the ISO files to XP desktop to run Setup.