Solved Ongoing problems with computer

[yellowgeek4]

I have been having problems for a few months, since november 2014. It started with windows 7 freezing at login screen. After I could not do anything anymore, I installed windows 8. It turns out my windows 8 product key was invalid so I had to install linux. When I installed linux, I mistakenly messed up the windows boot loader, and could only boot linux. I didn't give my linux partition enough space, and Gparted wasn't working to fix the partitions. I then decided to try to fix windows again. I used bootrec.exe /fixboot on the windows install disk, which did nothing, then I used bootrec.exe /fixmbr, and when I restarted after running that command, I only got a blinking under score. I reinstalled grub using rescatux install disk, and I was able to boot linux again. I still needed more space on my linux drive, so I tried installing windows 7. I installed it twice, and were still unbootable from grub. I then use ubuntu boot repair to fix that. I was able to run windows 7 and linux fine, for about a day, then the next day I tried to boot windows, but i got a black screen with a cursor, and eventually a BSOD. When I tried to boot the computer again I got: BootMgr is missing, Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restart. So I did that a few times and eventually I was able to boot my computer again. Later I tried booting windows, to find that it got stuck at the Starting windows screen. I tried safe mode also, but no luck. I used the install disk to try to fix that, but when I selected my windows 7 installation, it said: This version of windows is incompatible with this disk. I then tried booting linux, where I investigated the windows files. I discovered that there was no files in system or system32. Right after that my files window closed, I tried to reopen it from the menu, but then the menu dissapeared. The files on my desktop became no longer visible. I had to forced shut down by holding the power button. This is where I am now. This has been extremely frustraiting, and I would like some help.

 

[gregrocker]

Work through these steps to Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums
which will most importantly wipe the drive.

Once it installs then stick with the steps, tools and methods in Clean Reinstall Windows 7 to get and keep a perfect install. Over a million have used that tutorial without a single complaint or returning with problems IF they stick with the tools and methods given.

 

[yellowgeek4]

I have been unable to complete these steps. When I install windows it reboots and gives me a blue screen for about half a second, then reboots. I have tried diskpart from the live disk, but I get an error about there not being any fixed disks.

 

[gregrocker]

Is the hard drive detected in BIOS setup? If not you'll need to change the cable, reseat it to try to get it recognized, or try another hard drive plugged in by itself.

Where did you get the Win7 disk? How is it burned or written to stick?

Do you have an EFI BIOS? This is one of the steps in the tutorial to check for UEFI settings in BIOS, report back. It also requires special formatting for the flash stick, booting the installation media as a EFI device.

 

[yellowgeek4]

The hard drive is detected, my dad get the windows 7 disk from work, and I do not see any signs of an UEFI or EFI bios. I remember one of the times I tried to install, I got an error about drivers for my cd/dvd drive. Do you think the cd/dvd drive could have something to do with it?

 

[gregrocker]

The prompt for drivers almost always means a bad disk. Try another for your version. Obtaining media is discussed in Step 1 of Clean Reinstall Windows 7

 

[yellowgeek4]

I ran the ultimate boot disk, and tested for hard drive errors, it turned out my hard drive was failing, so I bought a new hard drive, installed windows, and now its working perfectly! Thanks for the help!