Windows 7 clean install blank screen

[jaredsh2]

I'm trying to install Windows 7 on a new SSD, my old hard drive crashed. My video card is an onboard ATI Radeon HD 4250. Initial setup works fine, but when the computer reboots it comes back up blank. I'm already running two monitors, one VGA and one DVI, and safe mode doesn't work either, I've seen both of those solutions posted for similar problems. I've tried booting from a flash drive and a dvd with exactly the same results.

 

[Golden]

Hi Jardesh,

What is the source of your Windows 7 ISO file?

Regards,
Golden

 

[Dave Atkin]

Hello,

In addition to Goldens question, does it show the BIOS Screen? And if you disconnect the DVI Monitor (So you just have one monitor connected) does it work?


Dave

 

[jaredsh2]

I've tried two ISO files, one freshly downloaded from MSDNAA (made into a bootable flashdrive) and then a disk my roommate had, identical results from both. It does show the BIOS screen, but if I don't pull it into a menu there it will go blank. Also I had been trying without the DVI originally, so no, it does not work without it.

 

[Dave Atkin]

Do you have the hard disk in IDE mode or AHCI?

Dave

 

[jaredsh2]

If I understand correctly, IDE is the default, which I haven't changed. The BIOS lists it as an IDE device.

 

[Dave Atkin]

Ok. Do you have a spare graphics card that you can try?

Its a very strange fault. Has it ever worked on the new SSD?

Dave

 

[jaredsh2]

I've tried an NVIDIA 9800 GT and a Radeon 6770. The radeon may not be getting the power it needs, I had to use an adapter to hook it up, but the NVIDIA card should be fine, only the onboard graphics would work during initial startup until the screen went blank. Windows 7 hasn't worked on the new SSD, but I have been able to install Linux Mint so I can test the hardware a little before trying Windows again. The 4250 and SSD are working fine for the Linux OS.

 

[Golden]

Hi,

Are you formatting this disk before the installation? Or is Linux still on this disk?

Regards,
Golden

 

[jaredsh2]

I have been formatting the disk almost every time before installation (I've tried a lot). Linux is on it right now, but if I have something new to try I will format it and try again.

 

[gregrocker]

Try wiping the HD before install to clean the boot sector of Linux code: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If this fails, reset the BIOS to defaults, set SATA controller to AHCI to try install first.

Unplug all other HD"s and peripherals.

Try writing ISO to flash stick using Universal USB Installer with Win7 in dropdown menu, boot under USB, Removable or HD's using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key - with HD set first to boot in BIOS.