Windows 7 hangs on fresh install on SSD

[211]

I'm putting together a HTPC using a ASUS E35M1-I Deluxe (AMD Zacate mobo/cpu combo), 30GB Kingston SSD, and 4Gb Crucial DDR3 1066.

Problem is when I boot from the Windows install disk I get the "Windows is Loading Files" status bar but when it gets the end it just hangs there. Usually it boots right into the next Windows loading screen.

So before I start troubleshooting I want to make sure there's nothing special I need to do with the SSD before installing Windows. Its a brand new drive but I'm pretty certain during the installation process there's a Format option.

The Windows install disk was burned from an ISO using IMG Burn at 16x. Before I left for work I started another burn (with img verification) at 8x. But I'm not certain that will help. I've burned plenty of images at 16x speeds without issue.

I just want to make sure I'm not missing a step someplace.

...and yes, the SSD shows up in BIOS.

 

[gregrocker]

Try burning 4x using ImgBurn with Verify.

Make sure you have the latest BIOS version update. If so, reset the CMOS:
Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

While in BIOS setup, set SATA controller at AHCI to try install.

Remove all but 2gb of RAM to try install. Good time to test your RAM for 5-6 passes with memtest86.

If these fail, confirm your ISO HASH against official Win7 HASH.
HashTab... is the coolest thing ever!
Windows 7 RTM SHA-1 hash - checksums

 

[211]

Try burning 4x using ImgBurn with Verify.

Make sure you have the latest BIOS version update. If so, reset the CMOS:
Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

While in BIOS setup, set SATA controller at AHCI to try install.

Remove all but 2gb of RAM to try install. Good time to test your RAM for 5-6 passes with memtest86.

If these fail, confirm your ISO HASH against official Win7 HASH.
HashTab... is the coolest thing ever!
Windows 7 RTM SHA-1 hash - checksums

Thanks for the prompt reply.

How much of this can I do without being able to boot into OS? Is memtest86 bootable from a USB?

There are no updates for the BIOS, I already looked. In fact the current bios is something like 107xx and the one offered for DL on the ASUS site is 103xx.
I'm assuming the BIOS that shipped with the board is more recent that what's offered based on the numbering convention.

 

[gregrocker]

Memtest86 - Download Page
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

 

[blissmanna]

221,
This might sound stupid but, how long did you let it hang before giving up? I have now installed Win7 Home Premium 64bit on 3 different SSD drives and on every one of them it got to the point where it just sat there for at least a good 20 minutes, yes, 20 minutes of seemingly not doing anything, and then suddenly continued to install. Once the OS is fully installed everything is great - 21 second boot time and all that.

 

[gregrocker]

Good point, Bliss. Thanks for the reminder that you sometimes have to let the installer run to see if it unhangs.

 

[211]

I didn't let it hang for much more than 5-10 minutes. At one point I walked away, and came back after drinking a beer.
I did switch the SATA controller to ACHI mode which did the trick. After Windows was installed I switched it back just to see what would happen and it didn't boot.

I've read conflicting reports of ACHI vs. IDE mode and how there's not much of a reason to use ACHI. But I guess "...because it doesn't boot otherwise" is a good enough reason.

 

[gregrocker]

AHCI is likely the future as it enables hot-plugging the HD/SSD like a USB with Safely Remove. We recommend trying it first to see if it works.

Glad it helped.