Solved PC Stuck on "Press any Key to boot to CD/DVD"

[AC]

My PC was acting slow lately, so I backed up my files and decided to do a clean install. I inserted my newly purchased Windows 7 Home Premium disc and deleted all partitions, and installed. Install went fine until first reboot, and the PC got stuck after Post, displaying the message "Press any key to boot from CD/DVD" Not pressing anything and letting it go through all the dots will prompt the PC to freeze, while taking the disc out or changing boot order to HD first results in a blinking cursor. I have also tried this with an XP SP2 disc and a Vista Ultimate disc, same problem.

The thing is, I can install Linux Mint, Ubuntu, or any other Linux distro just fine. The only problems are with Windows.

Any help, or is this PC done for Windows?

 

[lehnerus2000]

Are you pressing any key when prompted to by the Windows disc?

If you can run Ubuntu from a Live CD, use GParted to check if the HDD has any errors.

 

[AC]

The PC freezes right at that spot whether I press anything or not.

 

[theog]

Try using a USB Pen drive.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html
UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

 

[AC]

Try using a USB Pen drive.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html
UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

Forgot I had one of those setup.... I'll post back in a few.

 

[gregrocker]

You are correct that you don't want to Press Any Key after reboot during install. Try removing the DVD. If that fails:

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. (If an EFI BIOS you'll need to decide if you want UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS. If UEFI follow these special steps for Install, otherwise enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module to proceed with normal install.) Set HD first to boot, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes and Exit.

At boot tap the Sony F12 key to boot into Windows 7 installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here. If repeat failure try another ISO and method.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10, or enter System Recovery Options to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

I would then run HD Diagnostic extended CD scan to check the HD, followed by Disk Check from the installer's Command Line accessed by Shift + F10 at first screen.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt. You are creating the partition here for the purpose of wiping the HD and marking Active which overcomes certain install failures.

 

[AC]

Nope, same problem. As soon as it restarts, it hangs after POST.

 

[gregrocker]

See my post above.

 

[AC]

See my post above.

I somehow missed that my apologies. I'll post back. Right now I don't have a modern usable Windows system, and I never thought I'd need it so much, Lol. But I'll post back.

 

[AC]

So, I didn't back up all my files like I thought I did. I'm in a Linux live CD right now backing up my pics to Dropbox, then I'll do your suggestion.

 

[AC]

Alright doing your suggestion.

 

[AC]

Error...CD/ DVD drive device is missing.

 

[gregrocker]

Please give the exact error text as requested in the steps I gave you.

If what it says is a "driver" is missing then that is almost always a bad installer, which is why I said if it persists to download a new ISO for your licensed version and burn to DVD or write to stick with tool provided.

 

[AC]

I guess my image didn't upload, I'm on my mobile. I just tried with my DVD and all seems fine so far, its at Expanding Windows files.

 

[AC]

Install got past POST this time, all seems well so far.

 

[AC]

I'm now rocking and rolling, thanks Greg.

 

[gregrocker]

Good to hear, Alonso.

Which of the steps did you think made the difference?

Did you use a new installer?

 

[AC]

Your suggestion of wiping the HD instead of just the one partition like I had is what made the difference. Using a different installer also helped, so a combination of a few.