Restarts after installation!

[7mm]

Hi there, it's my first post here & glad to be here . It's my friend's machine that causes the problem.

AMD Sempron 140
BIOSTAR 8100 (8100 nVIDIA chipset)
1 GB ZION @ 800MHz
250 GB HDD
450W PSU
Windows Ultimate 32-Bit (Build 7600)

He just installed the Windows Ultimate 32Bit. Everything went well untill system restarted for the first time after 100% install, a black screen came for the first time & then it restarts every time he starts the machine. Just when the four colours of windows starts to circle around, there, it dies down & restarts . Just having no idea about the what's going on, never seen the desktop yet. Please help!

 

[gregrocker]

Did you boot from the Win7 DVD to do the install?

Try booting into the Win7 DVD repair console to see if it finds an installation to repair. If so, run Startup repair to see if it will start.

If not, then try tapping F8 at bootup to see if you can get into Safe Mode. Check the Event Viewer for errors. Uninstall the video driver and restart.

 

[7mm]

Did you boot from the Win7 DVD to do the install?

Yes, did it from the DVD boot.

Try booting into the Win7 DVD repair console to see if it finds an installation to repair. If so, run Startup repair to see if it will start.

Wel..., yes, he did that too.

If not, then try tapping F8 at bootup to see if you can get into Safe Mode. Check the Event Viewer for errors. Uninstall the video driver and restart.

Faild . It just can't. As it's the first time booting after the 100% installation, so it won't let user enter in the safe mode either. It seems that it has some kind'a hardware problem with that setup. Same DVD I tried & it installed just fine (Just for the trial, didn't activated though, as I can't, it's his copy).

As I said earlier, it's best advancedment is till the Win7 logo starts to circle..., that's it! Then.., it restarts, don't know for what reason. Please help!

 

[gregrocker]

Check all of the hardware.

Download and burn to CD memtest86 and run several passes to clear the memory.

Now download and burn to CD Seagate Seatools for DOS, from the Support Downloads page for that model HD. Run the full diagnostics/repair, then zero the HD to prepare for a clean reinstall.

Check for a more recent BIOS version update from the mobo Support Downloads website; compare to version given on first bootup screen or by entering BIOS.

What is the SATA controller set to in BIOS?

 

[7mm]

Run the full diagnostics/repair, then zero the HD to prepare for a clean reinstall.

He installed the the new HDD last month using Windows XP Pro. Do we still need to diagnose it ?

Check for a more recent BIOS version update from the mobo Support Downloads website; compare to version given on first bootup screen or by entering BIOS.
What is the SATA controller set to in BIOS?

It's done the day MB was installed & since then nothing is released. We tired clearing the BIOS, reset to the default as well but to no avail. SATA is set to SATA from [SATA, RAID, AHCI] options.

For latest, we tried installing Vista Home Premium & it installed perfectly. Then we tried to upgrade to W7 but result remains unchanged for W7 .

 

[gregrocker]

Try with SATA controller set to AHCI.

 

[7mm]

Try with SATA controller set to AHCI.

Ok I'll do that, But what is this [AHCI] function does anyway ?

 

[gregrocker]

A more advanced setting for SATA controller, enables hotplugging.

Sometimes changing SATA controller setting to AHCI or IDE can jog installer to work. If it is set to IDE now, Win7 may not have those older drivers. AHCI is more current.

The drivers for AHCI on the BIOSTAR 8100/Nvidia chipset are here: http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/driver.php?S_ID=362

There is also a July 2009 BIOS upgrade which is for Win7

Check your mobo specs to be exact.

 

[7mm]

A more advanced setting for SATA controller, enables hotplugging.
Sometimes changing SATA controller setting to AHCI or IDE can jog installer to work. If it is set to IDE now, Win7 may not have those older drivers. AHCI is more current.

Umhh..., Yes now that we did that & it faild too as this one just didn't lift off. It show'd CD / DVD ROM 35..., then nothing happ'n. Kept us waiting!

The drivers for AHCI on the BIOSTAR 8100/Nvidia chipset are here: BIOSTAR :: GF8100 M2+ SE :: Driver
There is also a July 2009 BIOS upgrade which is for Win7
Check your mobo specs to be exact.

He's got the driver CD, so he'll do it when needed. And Yes, he has the same July BIOS update applied on the Motherboard. None is available since then.

 

[gregrocker]

Try running the installer from XP. Then explore DVD files, copy all to XP desktop, run Setup.

After re-reading the thread it remains that changing out the video card needs to be tried.

Perhaps you can unplug the existing card and default to onboard graphics if there.

Otherwise I'd borrow a card, or buy one for trial, because the symptoms described strongly suggest that is the problem.

Since you have the Win7 files on the XP desktop now, I would next slipstream the Vista/Win7 SATA controller and video card drivers in using Vlite, then run it again from XP. Next recompile ISO and burn to DVD to boot and try. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/32055-bootable-iso-create-installation-files.html

 

[7mm]

First, le'me apologize for delayed reply, it's my internet connection that allowed me to connect very late. Anyway, the problem has been solved & now Windows 7 is up & running just fine. We made several efforts & even contacted BIOSTAR helpdesk (INDIA) for the help & they showed us the way out. Solution : just remake the DVD (!), we copied the same DVD & voila itran & did the job. Though, this ISN'T the final solution here, they'll post a BIOS fix in the future for better show. I'm little surprised to see this nVIDIA 8100 chipset isn't listed in the Windows 7 Ready List! Even the old age 6100 / 6150 are there!

Anyway, thanx "gregrocker" for the support & valued efforts all the way, CHEERS!

Rep+

 

[gregrocker]

7mm - Thanks for sharing the good news. I guess saying you had used the DVD on another computer had me crossing it off the list too soon.

Was it the burn, or some peculiarity of that DVD and the laser?

 

[7mm]

Sorry for the delay "gregrocker", just surfing in the security zone of this forum. No, nothing related to the laser OR the burning box, may be it's the cheap bad media that caused the problem. The help desk from BIOSTAR didn't take second guess after hearing about the problem & they suggest to change / remake the installation media at the lowest possible speed (Which I do foe every type). And now my friend uses his machine with ease.