Strange Issue During Install

[DeaconFrost]

I'm having a rough time getting Windows 7 to install on a computer I'm building for a friend. This is my first AMD build in about a decade, so maybe I'm missing something simple. I'll post the specs at the bottom.

Anyway, the problem I'm having is this. I can boot from my USB stick and start the Windows 7 Home Premium x64 install. I know this USB stick is working properly because I just used it on a laptop. Once I come to the first screen of the GUI install process, I can enter diskpart, set up the drive, and then continue. I can let the install run through, and do it's thing, copying files to the drive. It works down the list, install updates, etc, then it reboots. The setup continues after reboot, comes back to the list, and finishes. It reboots again, where I would expect the system to boot to the sceen where I choose a user name, choose to activate, etc. However, the screen goes black, the monitor tells me there's no more input, and it sits. The HDD light is sold for a minute or two, and then goes off. I've left the system sit for 2 hours at this point, with no progress.

I tried three different hard drives, and reset the CMOS. I've tried AHCI and then went back to IDE. Nothing I seem to try is working.

System Specs:
AMD FX4100
Gigabyte 78LMT-S2P 5.0 with F2 BIOS
4 GB MicroCenter brand memory (tests fine with Memtest)
ATI 4350 PCI-E card
600W OCZ PSU

So, here's my first question. The BIOS mentiones on-chip VGA, and the mobo has video outputs. Does this system require a graphics card, or does it have built-in video on the proc, like the Intel processors? When I try booting without the PCI-E card, I get no signal at all on my monitor. When I pop in the video card, I get the problems described above.

I'm lost as to what could be causing this. Previously, I was able to install Windows 7 to this system, but it would hang for about a minute after loading the desktop...and the continue fine. I tried doing a clean install to solve the hanging issue, and now I'm stuck here...regressing.

 

[gregrocker]

This behavior is most commonly caused by driver failing to load.

Less often it can also be caused by video being outputted to a projector, tv tuner card or elsewhere via the BIOS so that when the driver loads it drops the VGA screen image.

Try entering the Device Manager during install to uninstall any drivers in error (likely Display) so that install will complete and drivers can be updated from desktop: Device Manager - Access During Windows 7 Installation

If this fails try another video card, or study the mobo Manual on it's Support Downloads webpage to assure you are correctly engaging the onboard display chip and try removing the video card.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I downloaded the manual late last night, so I'll go through it today. Thanks for the link. I'll mimic the first comment in that thread...that I had no idea I could access Device Manager during the install. I've used the console many times to run diskpart and set up my drives. but never knew that.

 

[CB]

That was exactly what had bothered me a lot last year. I tried installing Win 7 to a friend's newly bought AMD machine. All installation was just done uneventfully. After self restarting at the end of installation the screen went blank. I did it twice with the same result.

Since my friend was in a hurry, I just installed Win XP SP3, and he brought the rig to other city. The case ended up unanswered, and I happened to forget it.

Kevin

 

[gregrocker]

In that case you can also install from the XP desktop to overwrite C, which sometimes works to overcome these sorts of problems.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I made a little progress today, in terms of research. I can confirm that the processor does not have integrated graphics, so at least I can now rule out trying the system without the 4350. I believe I have some spare video cards sitting around, such as a 7900 GS that I can try tonight as well.