please don't laugh...

[DocBrown]

Just a thought, have we determined if the HD in the Ext HD enclosure is an IDE HD ?
If it is a SATA HD, it will not work in the IDE connection bay of the laptop

 

[mypcbroke]

I don't think Windows Vista installed, but here is my PW snap

 

[Lordbob75]

Alright. Sorry, I kind of got lost in this thread.
This was your first installation with Vista, from a CD correct?

~Lordbob

 

[zzz2496]

mypcbroke, have you done the documentation? I'm really interested on how can you fail Windows installation so many times [that it's not even funny].

zzz2496

 

[Lordbob75]

mypcbroke, have you done the documentation? I'm really interested on how can you fail Windows installation so many times [that it's not even funny].

zzz2496

I agree. We need to see each step as you go through it.
It is possible you are making a mistake, or if you aren't then there is something we have overlooked.
Either way, it is important.

~Lordbob

 

[mypcbroke]

Sorry, after some previous comments, I wasn't sure if I should post anything else. Here is a step by step of what I did on my most recent Windows 7 install.
I followed the same steps for Vista (however in that one I did get the error message when formatting), and I received the error I mentioned earlier when it was at "completing installation":
"Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of installation. To install Windows restart the installation."

Where the mouse is hovering is where I'm about to click.

 

[Lordbob75]

Interesting errors.

Instead of creating a new partition, just chose the Unallocated Space and try installing it that way. Probably won't help, but it is possible.

As to the previous comments:
Paying someone to fix this would be faster, yes. Nonetheless, we are all still here to help you as much as we can.

~Lordbob

 

[zzz2496]

Here's what I think you can do: on the "Where do you want to install Windows" screen, the one that has "Refresh", "Delete", "Format", "New" controls under the disk selection box, if there's a defined partition on the disk, delete it using "Delete" control item. Delete every partition defined in there. Once you cleaned it up, press "New", create a 100GB partition. Once it's done, create another partition that will use the rest of the disk. Once it's done, select the first 100GB you created earlier, press the "Format" control item, post back what's the result, please...

I'll clear up the mess that automatic installation doing to you...

zzz2496

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

It looks as you are doing an upgrade install, if so this is the method you need to use, at this link below.

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

 

[mypcbroke]

Since doing the DoD wipe, I have been getting this error everytime I try to format via installer. I might try formatting via PW instead

 

[Lordbob75]

Interesting....

This happens with both Windows 7 installation and Vista correct?

~Lordbob

 

[zzz2496]

Since doing the DoD wipe, I have been getting this error everytime I try to format via installer. I might try formatting via PW instead

As of this moment I know that there's something terribly wrong with your laptop. It might be your laptop's motherboard (specifically the storage controller part), or your harddisk. Doing wipes with PW won't get you anywhere (I think wiping your disk more than 3 times is enough to prove that point), neither formatting it with PW...

If you have another harddisk that's compatible with your laptop, you might want to try and switch the harddisk. If switching harddisk doesn't solve your problem, I suggest you make that trip to the nearest Acer Service center...

zzz2496

 

[gregrocker]

Since the format failure error is new, let's use DISKPART to format and run chkdsk again at the same time. A failing HD may reveal itself in some redundant testing.

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

Now try Win7 and Vista installs again to formatted HD, if it will.

Next I'd run GWScan Extended HD diag/repair test again, too, and memtest86 overnight to stress test the RAM to be thorough with the hardware testing.

Edit: I see you're getting a format with Vista DVD, so let's see what install to Unallocated Space does, something I also suggested 3-4 pages ago. Next use Diskpart commands above to format and Disk Check, try both again. Then finish the day by running GWScan again and memtest86 overnight.

How much RAM do you have?

Then on to either imaging or swapping HD's.

 

[mypcbroke]

Interesting....

This happens with both Windows 7 installation and Vista correct?

~Lordbob

Just tried formatting with the Vista DVD instead, I did not receive an error. So, I'm following your previous steps with Vista right now.

 

[Lordbob75]

Interesting....

This happens with both Windows 7 installation and Vista correct?

~Lordbob

Just tried formatting with the Vista DVD instead, I did not receive an error. So, I'm following your previous steps with Vista right now.

Ah, thats good news then. So it might be a bad installation disk.

Let us know how this turns out.

~Lordbob

 

[kodi]

It looks as you are doing an upgrade install, if so this is the method you need to use, at this link below.

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version



Don't mind him and his comment, he's an 4sshole anyway.

Use the above method but I would do a CUSTOM install at this stage other than that you are going great dont listen to the knockers.
This site is here to help people like yourself who have problems and as long as you want we will be helping you

 

[tw33k]

Her last pic shows 3 partitions. Where did the 3rd one come from?

 

[gregrocker]

likely Unallocated, since some suggested making C 100gb

The latest error

Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next
phase of installation. To install Windows, restart installation

seems to indicate chkdsk, memtest86 and resetting the CMOS.

I believe you've already reset the CMOS at least once, and are about to chkdsk during partitioning and run Memtest86 overnight to stress test your RAM.

If you have more than 2gb RAM, removing one stick may also help.

 

[kodi]

Her last pic shows 3 partitions. Where did the 3rd one come from?

That would be the 100mb system reserved partition that windows made

 

[mypcbroke]

Since the format failure error is new, let's use DISKPART to format and run chkdsk again at the same time. A failing HD may reveal itself in some redundant testing.

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

Now try Win7 and Vista installs again to formatted HD, if it will.

Next I'd run GWScan Extended HD diag/repair test again, too, and memtest86 overnight to stress test the RAM to be thorough with the hardware testing.

Edit: I see you're getting a format with Vista DVD, so let's see what install to Unallocated Space does, something I also suggested 3-4 pages ago. Next use Diskpart commands above to format and Disk Check, try both again. Then finish the day by running GWScan again and memtest86 overnight.

How much RAM do you have?

Then on to either imaging or swapping HD's.

Currently going through these steps and letting it run overnight.
As to the question of how much RAM I have 3gb.