Installation problem Status: 0xc00000e9

[benji906]

Hi,

Yesterday I tried reinstalling Windows 7 on my laptop, without any success unfortunately : /.

So this is my problem:

When I boot from the installation DVD at the very beginning when windows says it's loading files I get an error message

Windows has encountered a problem communicating with a device connected to your computer.

This error can be caused by unplugging a removable storage device such as an external USB drive while the device is in use, or by faulty hardware such as a hard drive or CD-Rom drive that is failing. Make sure any removable storage is properly connected then restart your computer.

If you continue to receive this error message, contact the hardware manufacturer.

Status: 0xc00000e9
Info: an unexpected I/O error has occured

However, there were no USB devices connected at anytime of the installation.

​

What I've tried:

• I disabled the USB devices in the BIOS

​

What I've checked:

• I used seatools to check for any errors on my hard drive. There were none.
• I ran a memtest check. No errors either

​

My suspicion:

• I think I will need to unplug my cd/dvd drive and try installing windows with a usb drive. However, I'd like to avoid that because unplugging my laptop's cd drive is gonna be a real pain in the a**

​

Misc:

• I used the same installation cd to install windows 7 on another laptop the day before.
• I use to have windows vista on my computer but installed windows 7 five months ago
• I tried installing windows xp and also got a strange error (not the sata drive one)

If you could either confirm my suspicions or help me find what the real problem is I would be truly grateful

Laptop: Asus U81a

Thanx in advance,
Benjamin

 

[severedsolo]

Hi there I suspect you may be right, and your CD/DVD Drive is either on the fritz, or it doesn't like Windows 7.

To test this, can I suggest you download a Linux Live CD such as Ubuntu Ubuntu homepage | Ubuntu and burn it with another PC, and see what your PC makes of it?

Incidentally, as its a laptop, does it have any "built in devices" like a Card Reader or Wireless? They might also be causing the issue

 

[benji906]

Thank you for you quick response
I should have a debian live cd lying somewhere at my place. I'm gonna try that right away

And yes it does have integrated wireless and a card reader. I'm gonna try disabling those later.

 

[severedsolo]

I would actually bet that its more likely to be the card reader or the wireless. There is precious little that can go wrong in a CD/DVD Drive unless the entire drive is dying or it needs a Firmware update

 

[benji906]

So I could perfectly boot from the live cd.
And I tried disabling everything that I could disable in the bios (only my SATA interface is activated)
and still nothing : /

Thank you for your time

 

[severedsolo]

How odd.... I supose its possible that your Computer just doesn't like Windows 7....

Have you tried changing the SATA Mode to SATA or ACHI and see what happens? (if they aren't set to it already)

 

[benji906]

I know I don't get it either
I'll just install a Linux distrib instead

Thanks a lot for your help,
Benjamin

 

[severedsolo]

Your welcome, sorry I couldn't be of more use to you