please don't laugh...

[DocBrown]

We will get you fixed, because we are here 24/7

 

[gregrocker]

I would Create & Format install partition Primary (not Logical) NTFS using PW CD, then Modify>Set to Active. Now try install to partition you've created.

If given the option by PW, what size should I make the partitions? Because with Windows install I was guessing...

If you've already wiped the drive again, then boot PW CD, rightclick on empty drive space, Create New partition of whatever size you want (say 100gb), make it NTFS Primary, labeled Win7, Letter C, OK.

Then rightclick on the new Partition to Modify>Set to Active, OK, Apply.

Next rightclick on the new partition>Check File System, Apply.

Now boot the installer to try install to the partition you formatted.

There are other troubleshooting steps in my previous post.

 

[mypcbroke]

:shock: I got "Windows could not set the offline locale information. Error code: 0x80FE0000" again.
I swear, it went through the whole installation process two days ago (but it wouldn't boot). What am I doing wrong?

 

[gregrocker]

It just happened again?

What did you do to prepare for the installation this last time?

Need to try install with NTFS Primary formatted partition marked Active.

You'll need to test your HD next. What model is it?

Meanwhile, boot the DVD, press Shift F10 to open a Command Line and run commands given here for http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

We will try everything known to get it installed, but at some point you can decide to run your Vista Recov Disks, then try to either launch a Win7 clean install from Vista or do an in-place Upgrade. You may need a BIOS upgrade which needs to be done from Vista.

 

[mypcbroke]

It just happened again?

What did you do to prepare for the installation this last time?

Need to try install with NTFS Primary formatted partition marked Active.

You'll need to test your HD next. What model is it?

Meanwhile, boot the DVD, press Shift F10 to open a Command Line and run commands given here for http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

We will try everything known to get it installed, but at some point you can decide to run your Vista Recov Disks, then try to either launch a Win7 clean install from Vista or do an in-place Upgrade.

I wiped disk, then followed the steps you previously gave me (except for testing the HD, I seem to have glossed over that from the distraction in my apartment). Then install... ok, so my fault. How do I test my HD?

Also, I booted PW again and it now has "397.41 MB" used for my Primary Active NTFS partition. Is that ok? Or am I going to have to do something to that before hand?

And my HD I think is this:
IDE0 Model Name: WDC WD3200BEVT-22ZCT0

 

[gregrocker]

1. Date and time is set correctly on the BIOS.
yes
Make sure the time in BIOS setup holds correctly through restarts as it could be a flat CMOS battery.

2. You also need to set the bios to boot disk 1, instead of the required disk 0. You may contact your computer manufactuerer for making any changes to the BIOS.
Only IDE0 is populated, IDE1 isn't...
This fix given by MS to boot from IDE1 may require moving the HD to IDE1 port on mobo. Can you do that?

Researching the error now. Need some hardware experts on this.

 

[mypcbroke]

2. You also need to set the bios to boot disk 1, instead of the required disk 0. You may contact your computer manufactuerer for making any changes to the BIOS.
Only IDE0 is populated, IDE1 isn't...
This fix given by MS to boot from IDE1 may require moving the HD to IDE1 port on mobo. Can you do that?

No... I'm assuming mobo=mother board
And no as in, I have no idea what you're saying

 

[gregrocker]

Download and burn to CD the ISO of Data Lifeguard diagnostics: WD Support > Downloads > WD Scorpio & AV-25 > WD Scorpio Blue


Run full scan followed by http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html from Win7 DVD Command Line. Or in PW CD rightclick Partition you made to Check File System.

 

[DocBrown]

Earlier she said Bios date was correct. I can't find that this laptop can have 2 internal HD's, so don't think IDE1 can be a problem. Maybe what Greg asked me a few posts back about Zero-ing the HD because of Acer factory setting on HD may be affecting the install.

 

[gregrocker]

How so, Doc?

I would try pre-formatting using PW CD to NTFS Primary marked Active. WHile in PW rightclick to Check File System. Then try install.

Next I would run the HD diag/repair CD, then boot installer, delete partitioning using Custom>Drive options and install to the unallocated space letting installer auto-partition and -format.

There are many suggestions which have not been tried yet so I'll let you catch up trying them all and standby if you have any questions.

 

[mypcbroke]

Or in PW CD rightclick Partition you made to Check File System.

It is grey, PW won't let me run "check file system."
How would I do it via command prompt? I don't know the drive letter name (you're welcome to eyeroll anytime -if you haven't already)

 

[DocBrown]

When you format or partition, all the information about which files are stored on a disk and where they are stored is overwritten, but the files are still there. When you zero fill the HD, you write zeros to all the storage space on the disk, so the files are gone. But this means you need to format the disk to write information about where it can store files, so i guess a zero fill by killdisk should include a format afterwards.

I am sure the WD Lifeguard Tools disk has this option on it.

 

[mypcbroke]

Ok, I bruned WD Scorpio and booted it. I am getting:
NO DRIVE FOUND
ERROR/STATUS CODE: 0120

then I have at the very bottom of a all black screen:
A:\>

Am I supposed to be doing something with this?

 

[gregrocker]

Or in PW CD rightclick Partition you made to Check File System.

It is grey, PW won't let me run "check file system."
How would I do it via command prompt? I don't know the drive letter name (you're welcome to eyeroll anytime -if you haven't already)

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.

I would rightclick> Check File System and then Surface test with repair box checked. Then try the Data Lifeguard HD diag Full Test again.

Sometimes you need to repair the file system first, and PW Surface Test does the same thing as Data Lifeguard CD test but has less repair capability.

 

[DocBrown]

1. It should be seeing the HD, since we had it before ????
4. You can now boot the computer to the diagnostics CD. Make sure your boot order in your BIOS is set to boot to the CD-ROM drive first.
5. You will see the following options:
   • SELECT DRIVE - Always choose this option first, as it determines which drive you will be working on.
   • QUICK TEST - This option tests your drive quickly for any major physical problems. (Please note: Although this option is safe and does not alter the data on your hard drive, Western Digital recommends that you have a current backup of your data).
   • EXTENDED TEST - This option checks your drive thoroughly and it can repair any correctable errors. (Please note: Although this option is safe and does not alter the data on your hard drive, some data loss may occur, depending on the errors found and the errors corrected. Western Digital recommends that you have a current backup of your data).
   • WRITE ZEROS TO DRIVE - The Write Zeros option, wipes any and all data off your drive. This option used when your data is no longer usable or recoverable. If you no longer need any data from your drive and would like to start over, run this option to set your drive to an as new condition. NOTE: Please make sure that you have selected the correct drive to perform this function on as once ran, no data will be recoverable.
   • VIEW TEST RESULTS - You can see the results of the test you just performed
   • PRINT TEST RESULTS - Test results can be printed with this option. USB printers are not supported
   • LOG FILE OPEN/CLOSE - You can access the log file which is generated automatically
   • ENTER AND PRINT RMA INFORMATION - Information pertaining to each drive tested can be customized and printed with this option.
   • HELP - Brief descriptions of each option in addition to explanations of error codes are available in this option.
   • QUIT - Reboot your system once you have completed the selected tasks
6. Select the task you wish to perform.

Related Resources

• Technical information, FAQ, and related answers from the knowledge base

 

[mypcbroke]

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)

 

[tw33k]

I think things are getting a bit too technical and may be overwhelming her. Can I suggest simply deleting both partitions, creating a single new partition with PW then booting the Windows disk and then creating a partition for Windows and programs and a 2nd partition for data. This would be so much less complex for her.

 

[gregrocker]

That's fine. Boot PW CD, rightclick on each partition to Change Letter.

Then rightclick on each to Check File System with Fix box checked..

Then rightclick on each to run Surface Test.

I think things are getting a bit too technical and may be overwhelming her. Can I suggest simply deleting both partitions, creating a single new partition with PW then booting the Windows disk and then creating a partition for Windows and programs and a 2nd partition for data. This would be so much less complex for her.

You can certainly do this next if you want, but after 3 tries at Install with same error, the troubleshooting for this specific error needs to be commenced at some time. First would be Disk Check and HD Diag/repair CD Scan.

At any point, the OP can decide to run the Vista Recovery Disks to try to launch a Win7 clean install from there or if necessary an in-place Upgrade. I would first check for a BIOS upgrade to install from VIsta since that is another troubleshooting step for this error.

 

[mypcbroke]

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

 

[gregrocker]

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?