Solved Newly Formatted C, This installation disc isn't compatible No Boot!

[Trapper]

Hi. My brother is trying to install Win 7 Pro 64 bit onto a HD previously containing XP. the drive has been formatted using Partition Wizard and the HD had a small unallocated partition which was merged to make one drive.

On inserting and trying to boot from the Windows 7 CD the BIOS shows to "press any key to boot from Cd DVD drive........"

Then nothing, the Windows CD will not boot.

I am wondering if the problem is the MBR, in PW I think there is an option to repair the MBR. Would this resolve the problem?

We have set up the CD as primary boot drive and PW boots fine from the CD however I guess this is booting into dos.

Any suggestions as to what to try?

 

[Brink]

Hello Trapper,

What did you use to create the Windows DVD with?

(Silly question, but must check) Did you press a key when prompted to start booting from the Windows DVD?

You might create another bootable 64-bit Windows 7 Pro using the method in the tutorial below with an ISO from below to see how it works.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html

Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links
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Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

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[Trapper]

Hi Brink.

He is using a genuine Windows 7 64 bit installation DVD, Is this not a bootable disc?

 

[Brink]

In that case check the DVD for any scratches or smudges that may prevent it from working properly.

(Silly question again, but must check) Did you press a key when prompted to actually start booting from the Windows DVD?

You might also connect the HDD inside another computer to run the "Clean" command on it, format this cleaned HDD, then connect it back to the original computer see how installation goes.

 

[Trapper]

I have checked the DVD and the surface is clean, he tried, just to see if it work, to get the 32bit version to boot, it didn't he also inserted his old XP and that did not boot either.

In case the problem was the keyboard he has replaced that as well but it made no difference, pressing any key when requested did not make any difference.

I can put his HDD in my PC and reformat it, this is quite a hassle so would prefer to find a more easier route if possible!

 

[Brink]

Be sure to run the "Clean" command on it, and not just format it. Formatting alone may not be thorough enough.

 

[Trapper]

Thanks for your help, would you please let me know why a "clean" may resolve the problem as opposed to a format?

 

[Brink]

"Clean" will delete all MBR or GPT partitions, volumes, and any hidden sector information on the complete hard drive. This allows for a fresh start.

Format is not as thorough.

 

[Trapper]

Okay, we've printed out the tutorial on "Clean" and will read up tomorrow,its too late tonight for our fuddled brains!

 

[Brink]

Ok. Get some rest mate. I'll be here when ready.

 

[Kaktussoft]

"press any key to boot from Cd DVD drive........"
=>so it's booting from dvd fine. Wait 20 seconds... what happens.

Boot again from dvd. "press any key to boot from Cd DVD drive........"
press a key within 5 seconds. Does the message disappear faster then before?

Just to check that machine detected the key press

 

[AddRAM]

He went to sleep

 

[Trapper]

Thanks for the help and suggestions, I am pleased to say that my brothers PC is now being installed with Win 7.

I "cleaned all" using your tutorial and reformatted the disk but did this on my old XP machine in case something went wrong, luckily it didn't!

Regards
Alan.

 

[Brink]

Great news Alan. Glad we could help.