Win7 Clean Install - Graphics Not Responding

[Incipient]

I've been running Vista for the last year now on this new system, without any significant problems.

Recently I have decided to upgrade to Win7, however have hit a problem.
(clean install, formatted hdd)

I am able to install Win7 to a point, that is all the files copy properly, and the basic setup completes. When it attempts to reset itself to complete "in windows" install features, its fails. The fancy windows 7 swirling colors boot up completes, the windows logo glows brightly, then my graphics cards start screaming at me (the fan jumps to ~100% speed) and the monitor enters power saving mode. I have tried reinstalling windows, and had the same problem. (sometimes it seems that the monitor just displays alternating blue lines)

When starting in safe-mode (as it gives me the choice due to the incorrect shutdown) it boots up ok into windows, however gives me the error 'you can not setup windows in safe mode'.

I'm running 2x Radeon 4850 HD's on a gigabye X48T-DQ6 motherboard.

I can only assume that the graphics cards work, as about 3 hours ago, they were ok with Vista, and a friend running an identical rig has it running perfectly on Win7, so they're compatible.

Any ideas? =/

Thanks,
Inci

 

[FZ21Z]

Hi.

Try installing it without the cards inserted.

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/34853-common-installation-problems.html

 

[Incipient]

My computer just beeps at me, complaining that it doesn't have any graphics cards it can use.

Thanks for the prompt reply too! =)

 

[FZ21Z]

My computer just beeps at me, complaining that it doesn't have any graphics cards it can use.

Have you tried with just one plugged in?

 

[Incipient]

Still have the same problem, tried both cards, in both slots.

 

[Heroxoot]

Its not the cards. I'm running a single 4850. Try using drive sweeper and removing all ati drivers and reinstalling them again.

 

[Incipient]

As I said, its on a clean install (the hdd's were formatted) and I can't get into windows to run the sweeper.

 

[TVeblen]

I would help a great deal if you would fill in your system specs (lower left drop down) as thoroughly as possible.

Yours sounds like a hardware problem, but we can only do wild-ass guessing without more data.

 

[TVeblen]

Mmmm. The usual suspects are Video Card defect - but yours worked under Vista.

Bad RAM modules - but that's nice RAM. Is it on the "Approved & Tested" list?

Poor power - But that is a nice power supply.

Nothing easy pops out. But here are a couple of ideas:

For a clean install with problems it would be best to simplify the setup as much as possible. I would connect only one hard drive (disconnect data and power just to eliminate power issues during W7 setup). And I might install the OS with only one video card and deal with the crossfire thing after getting by the install roadblock.

As a rule I always take the opportunity to flash my BIOS to the latest version before clean installing an OS. There may be improvements made since the new OS came out. I might also help to reset the BIOS defaults before you install. Just configure SATA as AHCI before doing the install, but leave everything else as default.

 

[Incipient]

Thanks for that, specs are updated now.

I agree its likely a hardware problem of some type, however all of the hardware must function within some bounds as it is able to install correctly, indicating that the hard drives must be working. During the installation the display changes automatically to the ideal 1920x1200, indicating the graphics can function to some extent. The RAM is likely ok, as the fatal error occurs at the same point each time. The CPU is likely fine for the same reason as the ram.

edit: ubuntu installs fine on the system, after again formatting the hdd.

This is my thinking, feel free to object.

Thanks for the continued help!

 

[Rik55]

Yip, update the motherboard BIOS. I noticed they have updated the AHCI hard drive code in the BIOS. Maybe there was an issue with Win7. Then install Win7 with only 1 card installed. If it completes, run Windows Update to install all the patches. Install chipset drivers. Install Directx Feb 2010. Then install latest Cat drivers. Now shut down and install second card with bridge and power. Reboot and windows should install drivers for 2nd card and update ccc for a xfire install.

GA-X48-DQ6 - GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - BIOS=