Win 7 Install crashing

[dandan]

I know many people seem to have this same problem of the install crashing / unresponsive at the "starting windows" screen. I tried the solutions that others had, but none seem to work for me. Here's my setup

- AMD Phenom X4 955 Black edition
- MSI 890GXM-G65
- Mushkin 2GB DDR3 1333
- WD 160GB HDD (SATA3)
- Samsung DVD burner (IDE)

It's pretty minimalist, setting it up for my mom to use. Anyways... I tried both a retail Win 7 and one from my MSDN subscription, neither worked. I know the disc is good, I was able to install it in a VM.

I tried disabling USB and USB 3.0, on-board audio, and LAN but nothing seems to work. Sometimes it gets suck at "starting windows", sometimes at the region/language selection screen.

Does anyone know if maybe the board is not compatible for some reason? Maybe some other devices on the board that's not compatible? I wasn't too sure how to mess around with the on-board graphics so I left it at the default settings. I'm connecting a monitor through VGA.

Thanks! Any help will be much appreciated

 

[Jonathan_King]

Welcome!

Try removing any video cards, and all but 1 stick of RAM.

 

[dandan]

I'm actually not using a video card, using on-board graphics. Also using a single stick 2GB ram module.

 

[Techguyjamie]

Did you completly format the hd berfore installing? Old Os files can clash and screw up

 

[Jonathan_King]

What is the machine you are installing it on? Is it a new build you just put together, or did it have an OS on it previously?

You may try testing the RAM. Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder. Boot from the CD, and run at least 5 passes.

 

[dandan]

Did you completly format the hd berfore installing? Old Os files can clash and screw up

It's a fresh install on a new hard drive.

I actually haven't tried install in safe mode yet. I'll try that and see what happens, but I'm kind of pessimistic about it working...

 

[dandan]

What is the machine you are installing it on? Is it a new build you just put together, or did it have an OS on it previously?

You may try testing the RAM. Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder. Boot from the CD, and run at least 5 passes.

Thanks, I'll try testing the ram with Memtest86.

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

When you say "it doesn't work" can you be more specific? Are there any types of errors that the installer is giving? Is there a specific point in time during the installation in which it stops working?

Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

Check all of the connections, replug cables and RAM chip. Test your RAM with memtest

Try setting SATA controller in BIOS to AHCI.

 

[dandan]

Memtest reported back with no errors.

I tried setting SATA controller to AHCI, but no luck. I disabled every possible thing I could in the bios, but still no go. Setup still freezes at the "starting windows" or at the language selection screens.

Tried installing in safe mode, at language selection screen I was able to click the next button this time, but the second I clicked it, it became unresponsive.

Oddly enough, I can install WinXP with no problems. It's going through the install as I'm writing this right now.

What's going on?? What's wrong with Win7?

 

[DocBrown]

Memtest reported back with no errors.

I tried setting SATA controller to AHCI, but no luck. I disabled every possible thing I could in the bios, but still no go. Setup still freezes at the "starting windows" or at the language selection screens.

Tried installing in safe mode, at language selection screen I was able to click the next button this time, but the second I clicked it, it became unresponsive.

Oddly enough, I can install WinXP with no problems. It's going through the install as I'm writing this right now.

What's going on?? What's wrong with Win7?

It's not Win7 We have a hardware Glitch here somewhere

Try to give some more hardware details in addition to what you have already listed. By any chance is there a floppy drive on this box ?

 

[win7clutz]

How do you install in the safe mode? If you can't boot to Win 7, that's not even possible. Matter of fact, if you can boot to W7, insert your disc, choose "Upgrade" and then reboot when prompted, the install will not complete if you "F8" into the safe mode!

After checking all connections as gregrocker suggested:

Check MSI's site for the latest bios and upgrade accordingly.

Set bios options to manufacturers default.

Boot to a known GOOD dvd and proceed with the install. If it continues to fail, your options are as follows:

Troubleshoot hardware with tools like memtest, (I know you have already been there)

Contact MSI for support.

RMA the board back to where it was purchased...

Since you state the box will properly install XP, that implies that your hardware is not an issue unless the bios and on board devices do not support Win 7. Therefore troubleshooting with the manufacturer is the most logical solution..

 

[dandan]

It's not Win7 We have a hardware Glitch here somewhere

Try to give some more hardware details in addition to what you have already listed. By any chance is there a floppy drive on this box ?

That is what's so frustrating... this is a very bare bones system, but yet it's having problems. Literally everything I listed is what's installed. This board does have a integrated graphics solution that I've never heard of, something called SidePort memory. I tried disabling that in the BIOS but it didn't help.

I actually spoke too soon about WinXP install. It's stuck... but it did get past the point of formatting the drive to the actual install portion

Anybody have experience with this particular MSI board (MSI 890GXM-G65)? I think it's a relatively new board that they came out with.

Every hardware component is new except for the DVD burner.

Do you think it's just a compatibility issue, or could one of the components be faulty? I would think if a component was faulty, it wouldn't even POST.

 

[dandan]

How do you install in the safe mode? If you can't boot to Win 7, that's not even possible. Matter of fact, if you can boot to W7, insert your disc, choose "Upgrade" and then reboot when prompted, the install will not complete if you "F8" into the safe mode!

After checking all connections as gregrocker suggested:

Check MSI's site for the latest bios and upgrade accordingly.

Set bios options to manufacturers default.

Boot to a known GOOD dvd and proceed with the install. If it continues to fail, your options are as follows:

Troubleshoot hardware with tools like memtest, (I know you have already been there)

Contact MSI for support.

RMA the board back to where it was purchased...

Since you state the box will properly install XP, that implies that your hardware is not an issue unless the bios and on board devices do not support Win 7. Therefore troubleshooting with the manufacturer is the most logical solution..

For safe mode install, I pressed F8 after the BIOS posted. Normally it would go to the "starting windows" screen, and then to the language selection screen, etc. But when I pressed F8, it went to the safe mode boot options screen. I guess going to safe mode doesn't work?

MSI had an updated BIOS available, I tried flashing it using their "M-flash" function, but it couldn't find the update in my USB drive. I'll take another stab at it.

Yeah... if I can't get it to work, I'm going to return it for another one...

 

[Techguyjamie]

Is your computer 32 bit or 64 bit?

 

[neo101]

Memtest reported back with no errors.

I tried setting SATA controller to AHCI, but no luck. I disabled every possible thing I could in the bios, but still no go. Setup still freezes at the "starting windows" or at the language selection screens.

Tried installing in safe mode, at language selection screen I was able to click the next button this time, but the second I clicked it, it became unresponsive.

Oddly enough, I can install WinXP with no problems. It's going through the install as I'm writing this right now.

What's going on?? What's wrong with Win7?

I can't remember which, but the WIN 7 disks are recorded on +R? (dual layer?).

I had an older ASUS 2004/5 DVD drive that couldn't read the format/dye/layers properly and failed miserably just after start-up (whilst the WIN 7 disk read fine on a more up to date blu-ray drive!)

Download Nero "INFOTOOL" - it tells you what formats of DVD disk your drive can read/write to

Can you fill out FULL system specs with serial/model numbers if you want better help
eg Wot graphic card or is it built in?

 

[Techguyjamie]

It is possible you cant rum Win7 on your machine.. If possible get hold a copy of XP and download this.. it will tell you if your computer can safely run Win7

Windows 7 upgrade advisor
Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

 

[gregrocker]

To my knowledge, Win7 cannot be installed in Safe Mode.

Try install using USB flash stick, using Boot Menu shortcut key to trigger stick to boot (often listed under HD's): http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

Reset your CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Test your HD using maker's full diag/repair CD scan: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

 

[dandan]

Ok, I give up. I'm going to just return the motherboard and cpu and get a Core i3 combo instead. I've never had this many problems building a system. First time working with AMD - not a good experience.

Everything seems to check out fine, but it still crashes. Memory tests passed. Hard drive test passed. Tried installing Win7 from a USB stick, didn't work. Unplugged and reconnected everything, still no go. I successfully updated the BIOS, but that didn't help.

I'm thinking some how it's a bad board. I noticed that whenever the install crashes, there's either no power going to USB (mouse and keyboard lights are not on), or the USB is stuck on sending an active signal (or something) because the light on my IR mouse is bright as though it's being used, instead of a dim light like when it's inactive. I tried using a PS/2 keyboard and disabling all USB in the BIOS but that didn't help.

Well, thanks for all the help.

 

[DocBrown]

I build this computer 3 weeks ago. No problems with install whatsoever

Win7 ultimate download from my technet subscription!


Amd Phenom II x4 955
3.2 ghz
Socket AM3
Gigabyte MB GA-MA790XT-UD4P
Patriot Viper Series DDR3 Ram
PC3-12800
1600 mhz
3 x 2gb modules = 6gb
LG Lightscribe DVD IDE Drive
Hitachi 2 TB HD, 32 mb cache, 7200 RPM
Gigabyte nVidia 9600GT (1gb GDDR3)