please don't laugh...

[DocBrown]

Change letter isn't an option in PW... it's also greyed out

Probably greyed out because they are unformatted partitions :huh:

 

[mypcbroke]

How about Surface Scan?

Is there any chance you tried install to Logical partition? Because that is the first cause of this error.

You've tried partitioning and formatting using Win7 DVD resulting in error, then partitioning, formatting and marking Active with PW resulting in same error, correct?
Yes

I am running Surface Scan right now.

 

[gregrocker]

To run Disk Check from booted DVD, first repartition, format, assign drive letter.

Boot DVD, press shift F10 to open a Command Line, type:
DISKPART
SELECT DISK 0
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
FORMAT FS=NTFS
ASSIGN letter=C
EXIT (only exits Diskpart)
CHKDSK C: /f
EXIT

Then select Install Now to try install to C partition.

 

[mypcbroke]

It looks like Gateway has taken down GWScan which is the Data Lifeguard version I have used for years on all makes and models of HD"s. I can put it up briefly for you to download to burn to CD as it may work better than Data Lifeguard, which gets regular complaints.

When you run .exe file (as Admin) it will unzip to C:Cabs where you can browse to the ISO file to burn to CD with ImgBurn at 4x speed. Let me know when you get it done as I need to take down this file.
I have downloaded the file and currently burning it. Also, I am also at the format fs=ntfs step. It's crawling along at 31%.

 

[DocBrown]

It's a 320gb HD, so it will go slow formatting to 100%

 

[gregrocker]

You are moving right along. Anything found on the PW surface scan?

It would be disturbing if GWScan doesn't see the HD.

GWscan should autostart to a DOS screen with 3 choices: type in 1 to Run GWScan, press Enter. On next screen, use down arrow to select Extended Scan. After scan completes, arrow down to Exit, then restart computer into DVD to try install again.

It's a 320gb HD, so it will go slow formatting to 100%

Doesn't the full format include chkdsk, but only quarantines bad sectors?

If so, it should still be a good idea to run chkdsk /f.

 

[mypcbroke]

It came out all green for the surface scan. And I'm at 41% now...

 

[gregrocker]

The full format may do it. THis is a disk or BIOS problem according to Google results I skimmed.

If you're forced to recover Vista then a BIOS update should be done from Vista if one is available from the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer. This has also solved the error for some.

Once the BIOS is updated, I'd try the booted clean installer again, next run installer from Vista, then as a last resort in-place Upgrade.

 

[mypcbroke]

Ok, to clarify, I am doing these steps:
Boot DVD, press shift F10 to open a Command Line, type:
DISKPART
SELECT DISK 0
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
FORMAT FS=NTFS
ASSIGN letter=C
EXIT (only exits Diskpart)
CHKDSK C: /f
EXIT

Then I'm going to boot with the GWScan disc

Then I'm attempting to install via Windows DVD on C:

 

[gregrocker]

Good.

If all that fails, then I'd complete testing hardware by running memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes. Memtest86 - Download Page

Then you can either Google the error text and number and read more in depth to try to get to a fix, or run the Vista Recovery disk, Update BIOS, try install from Vista - even an in-place Upgrade as a last resort.

Others may have more ideas. I will call in some heavier artillery.

 

[Lordbob75]

Wow, one hell of a week.

Alright, since the integrity of the drive and whatnot seems to be in question...

Can you download Ubuntu, burn it to a CD, and then boot onto it? I just want to check that everything is more or less working alright. We will also be able to see your partitions (and work with them) from within Ubuntu.
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

~Lordbob

 

[DocBrown]

What stage are you at now ?

 

[karlsnooks]

Wow, one hell of a week.

Alright, since the integrity of the drive and whatnot seems to be in question...

Can you download Ubuntu, burn it to a CD, and then boot onto it? I just want to check that everything is more or less working alright. We will also be able to see your partitions (and work with them) from within Ubuntu.
Download | Ubuntu

~Lordbob

That we can do with the Win 7 DVD or with a WiN 7 System Repair Disc.

 

[Lordbob75]

Wow, one hell of a week.

Alright, since the integrity of the drive and whatnot seems to be in question...

Can you download Ubuntu, burn it to a CD, and then boot onto it? I just want to check that everything is more or less working alright. We will also be able to see your partitions (and work with them) from within Ubuntu.
Download | Ubuntu

~Lordbob

That we can do with the Win 7 DVD or with a WiN 7 System Repair Disc.

You can't boot into Windows without installing it first...

My point is that it will be a lot easier to work with since she is having problems with the harddrive booting.

~Lordbob

 

[karlsnooks]

My good man.

You boot up the Win 7 DVD and at the first dialog you push SHIFT F10 key combo. This gets you to a WinPE installed in ram. From this point, with DiskPart you can do everything and more than disk managment does.

 

[Lordbob75]

My good man.

You boot up the Win 7 DVD and at the first dialog you push SHIFT F10 key combo. This gets you to a WinPE installed in ram. From this point, with DiskPart you can do everything and more than disk managment does.

I never knew that...
Learn something everyday I suppose.

In that case, we don't need to use Ubuntu (though we still could).
My only other concern is the disk she has. I know she mentioned it, but I know it was not a full install disk...

~Lordbob

 

[mypcbroke]

Ok, aside from the past few posts confusing me, I am currently at GWScan and I'm not sure what I'm doing.

I have these options:
Select Drive
Check Smart Status
Quick Test
Extended Test
Write Zeros To Drive
View Test Results
Print Test Results
Log File Open/Close
Help
Quit

?which do I pick?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

You may be getting "Logical" partitions by default when you create them using Partition Wizard as the default is logical and Windows cannot / is not able to boot (start) from a logical partition; be sure to pay attention when presented with this dialog box.

click to enlarge

​

 

[Dave76]

You're right BFK, the System Reserved partition is now 'Logical' and should be 'Primary'.

You need to give partition a drive letter in PW to Check File System. WHile you're at it, Resize partition to include whole HD.


How do I give the partition a drive letter?
Also, I'm not sure what you mean with resive to include whole HD.
Currently, I have 2. One with 297.99GB (Primary Active) and the other has 104.47MB (logical)

You need to change this: the other has 104.47MB (logical), to a Primary Partition.

This was initially setup as your System Reserved Boot Partition.
It will Fail to install as the boot files are there and the OS is in the other Partition.

Boot into the Partition Wizard CD and change the 104.47MB partition to Primary and Active.
First, Partition Tab > Modify > Set Partition as Primary
Then, Partition Tab > Modify > Set Active
Make sure they are both 'Primary' partitions.

Then post a camera shot of PW with the two partitions.

 

[mypcbroke]

Ok, to clarify, I am doing these steps:
Boot DVD, press shift F10 to open a Command Line, type:
DISKPART
SELECT DISK 0
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
FORMAT FS=NTFS
ASSIGN letter=C
EXIT (only exits Diskpart)
CHKDSK C: /f
EXIT

Ok, I did this step then per the suggestion of other I booted PW again. Now I only have 1 partition listed...
Partition *:
File Stystem
NTFS
Capacity
298.09 GB
Used
95.05 MB
Unused
298.00 GB
Status
Active
Type
Primary

?confused