Installing Windows Problems

[stubbyhs]

Afternoon all,

So a friend of mine recently purchased two Acer 5750Z's and asked me to take all of the bloatware off them and to install some programs such as Office, Skype and whatnot. So I wiped the computers and reinstalled Windows, using the drivers from the Acer site and diong everything I usually do in this situation and both computers were working absolutely perfectly when they left my office(/bedroom haha).

One computer has since been having problems. Since she is not computer literate she couldn't really tell me what the problem was, though I gather it had something to do with the computer starting up; sometimes it wouldn't.

It then escalated to not booting up at all, just BSODing during boot up and looping. The BSOD appears on the screen so briefly you wouldn't know it was there unless you were looking for it.

I could not even boot the computer up in safe mode. I went into the repair function when I inserted the install disc and that didn't work either. And, though I installed Win7 Ult, it detected a Win7 HE instead which confused me a little.

I then tried to reinstall Windows and left it to install, and it got to the point where you have to enter time and date and then soon after it did the restart and then wouldn't continue the set up.

I think the "The computer didn't shut down last time so which mode do you want to run in" screen came up but I'm not sure because it appeared in wierd characters with only some of the right letters in the right place.

I then went to reinstall Windows again, and when I am asked where to install Windows, no drives are showing.

Could this be a BIOS problem? When I browse for a drive to install Win7 in, it shows a "Drive X" with most of a Windows installation on it, but it says there are no drivers for it. How do I install the drivers?

Sorry this is so long, but I've never come across this type of problem before and I felt that any information could be relevant.

Thanks a lot,
StubbyHS

SPECS:

Intel Core B940 2.0GHz
Intel HD Graphics
4GB DDR3 RAM
500GB HDD

 

[theog]

I would Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

 

[stubbyhs]

I need the drive serial number and I don't want to open the HDD cover in case of breaking the warranty:/

 

[theog]

Check in the BIOS.

 

[roban]

I think you'll have to open the case for this one. Replace the BIOS battery. You can't send this computer back because I would suppose by reinstalling the OS you've voided the warranty.

 

[stubbyhs]

BIOS checked, the Diagnostic Utility says I need an 8 character serial number but I only have 14 character number.

Any other ideas?

 

[stubbyhs]

I think you'll have to open the case for this one. Replace the BIOS battery. You can't send this computer back because I would suppose by reinstalling the OS you've voided the warranty.

Really? Oh dear, that's gonna cost me if it needs replacing

 

[theog]

What is the make?

 

[stubbyhs]

Hitachi

 

[theog]

Hitachi
http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/downloads/dft32_v416_b00.iso

http://www.hitachigst.com/support/downloads/#DFT

Drive Fitness Test

Version 4.16

The Drive Fitness Test (DFT) quickly and reliably tests SCSI, IDE and SATA drives. The DFT analyze function performs read tests without overwriting customer data. (Note: other DFT restoration utilities may overwrite data.)

NOTE: Currently the Drive Fitness Test does not support 3TB and greater internal drives.

Downloads

To run the DFT, you must download the appropriate creator or image and create a self-booting media.

You may create the media under Windows (using the Windows OS version) or Linux (using the binary image), for instructions on how to run the Drive Fitness Test utility download the User's Guide below.

Drive Fitness Test User's Guide (426 K)

Guide to using DFT Diskette creator for Windows OS (2,130 K)


Creates self-booting media to run DFT | Read Me | Having trouble creating the bootable diskette?


Binary diskette image for non-Windows OS (1,440 K)

Creates self-booting media to run DFT | Read Me


CD image (2,720 K)

Creates bootable CD for Linux, Windows and other operating systems ( requires CD-RW drive and software).


Notes

Does not support Microdrive Digital Media products.


Supports all Travelstar HDDs, except 8E, 10E and C4K series.


Does not support Endurastar products.


Does not support external USB or Firewire attached drives.


Compatible only with x86-based processors.


Does not support the PC which loads Intel ICH9M chipset. HitachiGST are working to fix this situation.

 

[stubbyhs]

I downloaded the CD Image and am using that. It doesn't detect a drive and so I have to enter a serial number.

I opened up the case and now have the serial number so am running the DFT now.

 

[stubbyhs]

The serial number isn't recognised as a drive either.

I'm assuming the HDD is just plain screwed. Could it be something wrong with the BIOS?

 

[theog]

Try resetting the HD Drive.

But looking like you will need to replace.