Installation won't begin

[IMperson222]

During Windows 7 64 bit, the screen stops on "Starting Windows" screen.

I have made numerous different copies of the Windows 7.iso on a disc even at the slowest write speed. Still, when booting from the disc the installation stalls at the "starting windows" screen with the animated logo. I have 2 Hard Drives with windows xp pro installed on a 160gb HD. There is a 100gb chunk of unpartitioned free space. As well I have tried booting it with less RAM each time. In addition I have tried to run the installation in safe mode which also freezes after the list of cmds starting. My Specs are as followed:

PSU-
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified

CPU-
AMD Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ 2.01 GHz

Mobo-
MSI K9N SLI Platinum

RAM-
8GB geIL Black Dragon Dual Channel

Hard Drive-
160gb Western Digital Caviar(With the XP Installation)
1TB Western Digital Caviar Green

Graphics Card-
PNY XLR8 NVIDIA 9800 GTX+ 512 MB

Current OS-
Windows XP SP3 Version 2002

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[The Cool Guy]

From where did you get the copy of Win7? What is the build number? Did you try installing it from within windows xp?

 

[IMperson222]

I got the RC from the microsoft website:

File name:7100.0.090421-1700_x64fre_client_en-us_retail_ultimate-grc1culxfrer_en_dvd.iso

When trying to run it IN XP it says "This installation disc isn't compatible with your version of Windows. To upgrade, you need the correct installation disc. For more information, check your computer's system information. To install a new copy of Windows, restart (boot) your computer using the installation disc, and then select Customer (Advanced)."

 

[nate42nd]

You will have to do a clean install. You cannot upgrade from XP to Se7en.

 

[The Cool Guy]

Is there anything named 'SATA Native Support' in your BIOS? If so disable that.

 

[IMperson222]

I am not trying to upgrade, I have a partition for 7 that i will dual boot too. However i cannot even start the installation for 7.

 

[IMperson222]

Is there anything named 'SATA Native Support' in your BIOS? If so disable that.

Just checked, negative

There is only Sata nVidia Raid Support which was disabled.

 

[The Cool Guy]

Just checked, negative

There is only Sata nVidia Raid Support which was disabled.

Just try enabling it and see what happens.

 

[IMperson222]

Just try enabling it and see what happens.

Nothing changed

 

[torrentg]

During Windows 7 64 bit, the screen stops on "Starting Windows" screen.

You didn't say for how long. Let it sit, even for many minutes. I've read cases where even though it's not supposed to be like this, it has taken hours. Then it went on well from there.

 

[sevsman]

You can't upgrade because your xp is x86 and you copy of 7 is x64.

This might also be the problem if your trying to duall boot an x86 OS next to an x64 OS.

Try formatting the HDD during installation and see if that helps at all.

I don't know if there is issues dual booting with the two different platforms but it's the only thing i can think of.

Unless your not using 32bit XP that is?

 

[sevsman]

You didn't say for how long. Let it sit, even for many minutes. I've read cases where even though it's not supposed to be like this, it has taken hours. Then it went on well from there.

Your problem i bet i can cure in 2 mins!!!!

I had this problem with both vista and 7. I never had it at all,and then one day it just appeared as if from no where.

If you don't have a floppy drive installed then go in to the bios and disable floppy support and then go and remove it from the boot order.

It doesn't matter if your HDD is first!! The install process will look at all the devices in the boot order and try to access them to see if they are an option should it be needed.

If you remove support then remove from the boot order your install time will disappear back down to 20 mins max again...



However with 7 it will hang on the fancy new blue screen that comes before the screen where you choose which drive you want to install to, and not the screen with the new floating stars...

 

[nate42nd]

^^^^This is a good point. I have had a problem with an old machine getting stuck displaying the BIOS and Boot order options before it boots. I will try this....maybe it will work for my problem too.

 

[IMperson222]

i left it for over 13 hours....

 

[Orbital Shark]

It could be your GFX card, i think there have been reported cases of 9800 cards causing installation to crash. You could try http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/11273-install-windows-7-safe-mode.html and see if that helps.

   Note

Don't worry, it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your GFX card

 

[IMperson222]

It could be your GFX card, i think there have been reported cases of 9800 cards causing installation to crash. You could try http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/11273-install-windows-7-safe-mode.html and see if that helps.

   Note

Don't worry, it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your GFX card

nah, same thing happens in safe mode. gets to the end of the load list and never continues

as well my floppy has been and still is disabled.

 

[Snufffed]

When trying to run it IN XP it says "This installation disc isn't compatible with your version of Windows. To upgrade, you need the correct installation disc.

1. you can not upgrade from XP (currently NOT Allowed by Microsoft).
2. Even if you could you can not upgrade for 32bit (x86) to 64bit x64.
3. Only way to install x64 from a x86 OS, is BOOT FROM DVD. (Clean Install)
Then when the option comes choose A BLANK Partition to install Win7 x64.
4. It is always best to
A. Uninstall any AntiViris program
B. Uninstall any 3rd Party Firewall.
C. Have any drivers needed on a USB/Flash drive or CD that you might need, unless you added them the the .ISO under \Drivers
c1. Sata drivers, Raid Drivers, Video Drivers, IDE/Sata/Raid Card drivers, Printers, Scanners, etc etc.
5. The average Max time for Clean Install should be 1h30m, the average upgrade time should be 1h. If you have any doubt on how to install your version. Uncompress the x.iso open \sources\readme.rtf That is the Official Install - upgrade "howto" from Microsoft.

 

[IMperson222]

I apologize that you did not read more of this thread. I've clearly stated I AM NOT TRYING TO UPGRADE. The problem is that when trying to run the DVD AT START UP it begins by loading the windows files and when it cuts to the Windows Logo and says "Starting Windows" it fails to continue, it just stays on the logo. I am trying to install Windows 7 on a BLANK, UN-FORMATTED partition on one of my drives. There is nothing wrong with a current installation of my windows 7 because one does not EXIST. I CANNOT even get to ANY installation screen through this DVD. I hope this post clears up anything previously misunderstood.

 

[Snufffed]

I have 2 Hard Drives with windows xp pro installed on a 160gb HD. There is a 100gb chunk of unpartitioned free space

How much FREE SPACE is FREE on C:\(XP).
1. The main reason on DUAL BOOT, the DVD uses C:\$temp to uncompress so it can then install.
2. Win7 should have at min FREE 12GB space for TEMP Files.... it really does like 16GB FREE Space, and runs faster on 20GB Free Space.

I am trying to install Windows 7 on a BLANK, UN-FORMATTED partition on one of my drives.

3. FORMAT the HDD.
4. If you use a Firewall - uninstall it or Disable it.(stated in earlier post).
5. If you have a AntiViris - uninstall it...(stated in earlier post).
6. Install Win7 and enjoy.

 

[IMperson222]

100gb un-partitioned and on the XP partition there is 35gb