PC won't let me install Windows 7 :(

[Adamworthy]

Hi guys, my uncle has bought a copy of Windows 7 to put on his pc which is currently running ubuntu.

I put the Windows 7 disc in and boot from cd but it seems to just hang on a black screen for a while then boot into linux.

If i disable the hdd in boot menu it'll load up the set up then report an error of some file missing, txtsetup.sif I think.

It also does this with the XP disc. I know it has the grub boot loader on it.

It's stuck with Linux any help guys???

 

[not so gray matter]

This could be caused by a number of things, including hardware issues and cd issues. I'm guessing it's not the disk(s) because you have two. So we're stuck with a hardware problem. According to threads around the internet, it is most likely caused by a ram issue.

Download the Ultimate Boot CD and run the memory diagnostics

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview

If those come back clean, run the diagnostics for other hardware.

Also, please fill in your system specs via UserCP.

 

[Adamworthy]

I'll give it a go for the other hardware, it's definitely not the RAM as i've tried the RAM from my pc in it.

 

[gregrocker]

You need to deep clean the HD to remove GRUB. Then after Win7 install reinstall Ubuntu and GRUB if you want it to manage the boot. http://lifehacker.com/5403100/dual+boot-windows-7-and-ubuntu-in-perfect-harmony

You can use free Partition Wizard bootable CD to Wipe Disk. I would use DOD standard (3 passes of zeroes) to get it cleanest.

Or boot Win7 DVD Repair console, click through to Recov Tools to open a Command Line, type:

DIskpart
list disk
select disk # (use # for target HD)
clean all (run this 3 times for DOD standard)
exit

Now boot back into DVD to Custom install with Drive Tools to Create New partition(s) and format before installing.

 

[Adamworthy]

I'm downloading those things now, another thing though. It also failed with the ubuntu installation CD so i'm guessing it is a hardware problem.

I've tried different RAM and a differnet Hard Drive so it's not those.

The only disc so far that I've managed to boot successfully was GParted.

 

[theog]

Do you want a Dual Boot with Win 7 & Linux?

 

[Adamworthy]

Do you want a Dual Boot with Win 7 & Linux?

Nope, I want linux gone completely and just Windows 7 on.

One of his friends decided to install ubuntu and its been nothing but trouble.

 

[theog]

All Linux code must be deleted.

Try a full clean & full format.

1) Boot DVD.
2) Press Shift+F10 (for command prompt)

Type in command line
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (win 7 HD)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT=NTFS
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT

 

[Jonathan_King]

I wonder if this is a bad DVD drive. Do you have any other drives you can try out?

 

[Adamworthy]

All Linux code must be deleted.

Try a full clean & full format.

1) Boot DVD.
2) Press Shift+F10 (for command prompt)

Type in command line
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (win 7 HD)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT=NTFS
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT

Which dvd do I boot? It won't boot OS installation dvd's at all.

 

[Adamworthy]

I wonder if this is a bad DVD drive. Do you have any other drives you can try out?

Yeah, I have one from an old laptop I could try.

I'll give it a go when this memory test has completed.

 

[Adamworthy]

OMD Windows is installing after changing the disc drive over, this is weird as his friend installed linux using the same disc drive just last week :S

 

[Jonathan_King]

As optical drives are mechanical hardware, they are prone to failure without warning.

Fortunately DVD drives are cheap. Here's a good one for a great price: Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - CD / DVD Drives

 

[Adamworthy]

As optical drives are mechanical hardware, they are prone to failure without warning.

Fortunately DVD drives are cheap. Here's a good one for a great price: Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - CD / DVD Drives

I didn't need to buy a new one had an old laptop in bits so I just took it out of there

 

[Adamworthy]

Another thing, my laptops disc drive keeps disappearing. Could this be a faulty drive too?

 

[Jonathan_King]

Where does it disappear from? How do you get it back?

 

[Adamworthy]

Where does it disappear from? How do you get it back?

It'll just disappear from my computer and won't work. I have to restart.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Is the drive visible in Device Manager or Disk Management during that time?