Windows 7 clean install - BIOS questions & system startup time

[RedLad]

Does this display properly? Sorry for the 'photo' of it.

 

[RedLad]

Also Paul, if needs be I do not mind going back and doing the reinstall again and not clicking on the 'New' option on the partition screen.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi RedLad,

Also Paul, if needs be I do not mind going back and doing the reinstall again and not clicking on the 'New' option on the partition screen.

The screenshot looks OK.

Before we go down another re-install route let's try a couple of things!

[1] Did you disconnect all other drives before the clean install?
[2] Are there any yellow triangles in Device Manager?
[3] What do you mean you clicked on the New option?
[4] Did it try and setup a dual-boot configuration during install?

I don't understand why it has used 72GB?

I always disable the screesaver, hibernation and sleep modes after a clean install if I am going to run WU [Windows Update]!

I hope this helps!

 

[RedLad]

Hey Paul, sorry I am only getting back now, I had a few things to do! Just before you read the below, please bear in mind I did not install any drivers, except for the on to get online, which was on a TP-Link disc I have.

1. I disconnected the 4TB hard drive beforehand, leaving just the new SSD. - I am only remembering that I did have my secondary screen connected to the back of the PC, along with the mouse and keyboard. Would the screen being connected have caused any issues?

2. There are lots actually:

About 130 'Base System Device' ones.
2 'Ethernet Controlers' ones.
'PCI Device, Serial Port and Simple Communications Controller' (x3)
16 'Performance Connters'
'SAS Controller'
'SM Bus Controller'
'System Interrupt Controller' (x2)
'USB Controller'

(During checking this, the PC froze again. Something is definitely up! I just hope it is fixable, as I had some work to do over the holidays.)

3. The New option. This was during setup - on the screen that lists the partitions/drives. It showed the SSD with just under 500GB. But I clicked on 'New' then clicked OK with the number it said to specify (I left that at default) Was this a bad idea? Thius then showed the 3 partions I mentioned earlier and after looking up online about it, I am nearly sure it said MSR in one of them as you can see in the attached screen example (this is not from mine)

4. I am not sure to be honest, I did not see or notice anything to do with dual.

I hope this info helps!
Paul

 

[RedLad]

The image referred to in answer 3 above:

And of course it won't let me attach, after trying twice. Here's the link

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgur...KffAhVoUhUIHZlhBFAQMwg9KAAwAA&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

[Paul Black]

Hi RedLad,

Just before you read the below, please bear in mind I did not install any drivers, except for the one to get online, which was on a TP-Link disc I have.

I have answered this below.

1. I disconnected the 4TB hard drive beforehand, leaving just the new SSD. - I am only remembering that I did have my secondary screen connected to the back of the PC, along with the mouse and keyboard. Would the screen being connected have caused any issues?

I doubt it very much but I always disconnect anything not relevant before I do a clean install. I just leave the keyboard and mouse attached.

2. There are lots actually:

About 130 'Base System Device' ones.
2 'Ethernet Controlers' ones.
'PCI Device, Serial Port and Simple Communications Controller' (x3)
16 'Performance Connters'
'SAS Controller'
'SM Bus Controller'
'System Interrupt Controller' (x2)
'USB Controller'

(During checking this, the PC froze again. Something is definitely up! I just hope it is fixable, as I had some work to do over the holidays.)

This is where all your issues are.

3. The New option. This was during setup - on the screen that lists the partitions/drives. It showed the SSD with just under 500GB. But I clicked on 'New' then clicked OK with the number it said to specify (I left that at default) Was this a bad idea? This then showed the 3 partions I mentioned earlier and after looking up online about it, I am nearly sure it said MSR in one of them as you can see in the attached screen example (this is not from mine)

The MSR partition [Microsoft Reserved Partition] reserves space on each disk drive for subsequent use by OS software. It's a placeholder invented by M$. It doesn't contain any meaningful data and it's there just in case you will ever need to create some additional partition for special uses. You don't really need it.

4. I am not sure to be honest, I did not see or notice anything to do with dual-boot.

That's good!

[1] Right, have a very close look at the installation disk, are there any scratches on it?
[2] What does the label on the disk actually say?

When I do a clean install, I usually delete ALL the partitions leaving a single Unallocated space partition which Windows than gets installed on.

From what you have stated, it appears that the disk you got from Dell is missing most of the Windows 7 drivers!

What you could do, is download a Windows 7 SP1 ISO x64, burn it to a DVD or USB, and use that for a clean install. This might be the better option depending on whether we can get the OS working correctly!

Alternatively, go onto the Dell website and download the relevant drivers, put them onto a USB and install them on the LIVE OS. You will need drivers for the MOBO, Graphics/Video Card, Ethernet, Chipset, WLAN etc => Support for Precision Tower 7910.

Can you post a screenshot on the Device Manager!

I hope this helps!

 

[RedLad]

Hi Paul,

1. Just checked the disc. No scratches, however I do notice a different shade/tone going across two parts of it..probably isn't good. I did use this before and it was fine though. I do have a second disk that from Dell that I will try, that hasn't been removed from the sleeve yet.
2. The label reads 'Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-Bit.'

Could you tell me Paul, once I go back and re-install and delete them partitions and install to the Unallocated space as you say - is it best to install driver then all Windows Updates?
OR - updates then drivers?
I will also disconnect the 2nd monitor so I just have my screen, mouse & keyboard as you say.

Reason I ask the above question is because I see two different opinions of order here:
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

and here:
Clean Install Windows 7

Thanks for this help Paul

 

[Paul Black]

Hi RedLad,

1. Just checked the disc. No scratches, however I do notice a different shade/tone going across two parts of it...probably isn't good. I did use this before and it was fine though. I do have a second disk that from Dell that I will try, that hasn't been removed from the sleeve yet.

2. The label reads 'Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-Bit.'

OK.

Could you tell me Paul, once I go back and re-install and delete them partitions and install to the Unallocated space as you say - is it best to install drivers then all Windows Updates?
OR - updates then drivers?

I think in your case I would install the drivers [although the drivers should be on the installation disk from Dell as it is a Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-Bit]. This is why I can't understand why you have so many errors in Device Manager!

Reason I ask the above question is because I see two different opinions of order here:
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

and here:
Clean Install Windows 7

The thing is, an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] usually has a restore factory image [settings] on a recovery partition!

I hope this helps!

 

[RedLad]

OK, thanks I will try installing the drivers from their site. Hope I get this sorted, and sooner rather than later!

 

[Paul Black]

Hi RedLad,

OK, thanks I will try installing the drivers from their site. Hope I get this sorted, and sooner rather than later!

If that doesn't work, then you will need to decide how you want to move forward. By that I mean, either using the other Dell disk, or downloading a Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-Bit ISO and using that. If you need instructions for the latter, I can walk you through it!

 

[RedLad]

I only noticed your question "Can you post a screenshot on the Device Manager!" there sorry. I have gone and am trying to re-install with the other disc but had a question:

At the partition screen, I deleted the MSR one and another 100MB one. So now I see:

Disk 0 Unallocated Space - 228 MB
Disk 0 Partition 1 - 476GB

I cannot delete the 228MB one, when I highlight it it says 'Windows cannot be installed to this disk' which is OK, I expected that. But why can't I delete it?

For the Disk 0 Partition 1 - 476GB, is it safe to delete this, as it doesn't say 'Unallocated Space' as you mentioned to install to??

 

[Paul Black]

Hi RedLand,

At the partition screen, I deleted the MSR one and another 100MB one. So now I see:

Disk 0 Unallocated Space - 228 MB
Disk 0 Partition 1 - 476GB

I cannot delete the 228MB one, when I highlight it it says 'Windows cannot be installed to this disk' which is OK, I expected that. But why can't I delete it?

For the Disk 0 Partition 1 - 476GB, is it safe to delete this, as it doesn't say 'Unallocated Space' as you mentioned to install to??

I don't think you will be able to [but it might delete automatically] delete the Disk 0 Unallocated Space - 228 MB partition [we will cover that latter if needed]. Delete the Disk 0 Partition 1 - 476GB partition [that is where Windows is currently installed on], hopefully leaving a single Unallocated space partition which is where Windows will then get installed on.


I hope this helps!

 

[RedLad]

Ah perfect, I deleted that and it automatically deleted the Disk 0 Unallocated Space - 228 MB partition.
I will keep you updated, cheers Paul

 

[Paul Black]

Hi RedLand,

Ah perfect, I deleted that and it automatically deleted the Disk 0 Unallocated Space - 228 MB partition.
I will keep you updated, cheers Paul.

 

[RedLad]

Out of curiosity - is it odd that the 'Expanding Windows Files' took about 4 mins to get to 1%?
Although, it is now at 14% after 7 mins

 

[Paul Black]

Hi RedLand,

Out of curiosity - is it odd that the 'Expanding Windows Files' took about 4 mins to get to 1%?
Although, it is now at 14% after 7 mins

It will take a little while, be patient!

 

[RedLad]

Just a bit paranoid that the SDD I bought may not be fully compatible. Probably nothing to worry about as I suppose if it wasn't it wouldn't be installing at all!

 

[Paul Black]

Hi RedLand,

Just a bit paranoid that the SDD I bought may not be fully compatible. Probably nothing to worry about as I suppose if it wasn't it wouldn't be installing at all!

2. Never thought of this, but just read a comment on Amazon where I bought it saying 'My God this thing is fast, windows 7 fully boots in about 15 seconds and opening programs is almost instant.'

 

[RedLad]

Hi RedLand,

True I forgot about that!

Well, I just got a window saying "Installation was cancelled."

Windows cannot install required files. The file may be corrupt or missing, Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation.
Error code 0x80070017

Also, after I checked this 'newer' disc, it does indeed have a slight scratch on it.

This dam thing just doesn't want to install for me does it?!
Back to the first disc so, to give it another shot.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi RedLand,

Well, I just got a window saying "Installation was cancelled."

Windows cannot install required files. The file may be corrupt or missing, Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation.
Error code 0x80070017

Also, after I checked this 'newer' disc, it does indeed have a slight scratch on it.

OK. The error 0x80070017 translates to CRC Error, which basically means that the files being copied from the DVD are not making it to the hard drive with the same structure and meaning than the original files on the disk, and are either being modified/changed/corrupted while being copied to the destination location [C:\] on your hard drive during the installation.

There could be a couple of reasons for this:

[1] A bad DVD.
[2] A read error on the DVD drive.