Windows 7 Installation Failure - Overcome

Windows 7 Installation Failure - Troubleshoot

   Information

These steps cover most of the current installation failures encountered. They do not cover hardware issues which can be tested separately from Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

1. Back up your files, power down to unplug all other Hard Drives and peripherals except keyboard, mouse and ethernet cable (which increases chance it will start up connected so you can get most of your other drivers via Updates).

2. Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, set SATA controller to AHCI, Hard Drive first to boot, Save changes and Exit. An SSD may have newer firmware to install on its Support Downloads webpage.

3. Search all tabs in BIOS setup for evidence of an EFI BIOS, including settings choices for UEFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS, Secure Boot, or UEFI Boot choices in BIOS Boot Priority menu. If EFI is enabled then proceed to Install Windows 7 with UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). If you don't want a UEFI install you can Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7. This video can help you decide: UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube

4. The problem is often bad media. A prompt for drivers during booted install almost always means bad installation media. Confirm or download the latest ISO for your licensed version and burn to DVD or flash stick as discussed in Step One here. You can test your media in another PC to see if it will boot and queue up correctly. If not replace it. If DVD fails even after replacing, try flash stick install and vice versa. For UEFI install you'll need to create a UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows.

5. Boot the media by tapping the BIOS one-time boot menu key below for your PC brand. Select DVD or for flash stick choose USB, Removable or HD choices which might need to be expanded to choose your stick. If you have a USB3 stick use USB2 port since SP1 does not support USB3 drivers. Asus - F8
HP/Compaq - Esc
Sony - F2
Acer - F12
Gateway - F10
eMachnes - F10
Toshiba - F12
Dell - F12
IBM/Lenovo - the blue Thinkvantage button

When prompted Press Any Key to Boot Disk.
6. At first installer screen Press Shift + F10, or enter System Recovery Options to open a Command Box, typeISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT
7. Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

8. In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

9. After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt. You are creating the partition here for the purpose of wiping the HD and marking partition Active which overcomes certain install failures. If necessary to test the hard drive, Disk Check will also work best on a full disk partition.

10. If the above steps don't help test your RAM and hard drive from Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

You may start a separate thread in Installation forum or ask in the Comments section below for more help. Please identify the exact failure point, any error message or behavior, include pictures if possible attached using the paper clip icon in reply box.

 

[gregrocker]

I understand you are not trying to install XP, correct? And that you don't have UEFI.

Did the ISO download complete? How did you burn the Win7 disk? Use the tool provided to burn disk or stick. What happens when you choose the device to boot first in BIOS or on BIOS Boot menu at boot? Do you receive any prompts?

Please fill in your System specs as best you know them in bottom left of post. We need at least your PC or mobo make and full model number

 

[PeterJamesJones]

Sorry for late reply (big meeting at work)

No I am trying to install Windows XP, because I thought the absence of Windows was causing the booting error?

I did complete the ISO download, but windows 7 USB/DVD tool, couldn't recognize or find
my external hard drive, nor rufus despite it being seen on my computer. So I am in the process at the moment of buying a USB stick to complete the burning of the Windows7 stick.

Once I buy the USB disk I'll let you know what happens when I boot the computer from the USB device thanks again

 

[gregrocker]

Why not burn the ISO to DVD? I see you have a DVD drive in BIOS Boot Order.

 

[PeterJamesJones]

No blank DVD's in the house unfortunately so will get one tomorrow and let you know if I have any problems thanks for all your help

 

[PeterJamesJones]

Just wanted to say a massive thank you to Gregrocker. After going through the steps here, and in your clean install tutorial the laptop is working back to normal something I couldn't have achieved without your help. If you're in London I definitely owe you a drink haha, have a great weekend!

 

[gregrocker]

Glad to hear it, Peter. Be sure to stick with the tools and methods given in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 to keep your install running perfectly.

 

[ThrashZone]

Found a new issue
New ssd no monitor to see what's going on :/
Do have the monitors disk but without a display ?

 

[gregrocker]

You're trying to install Win7 and you have no signal to the monitor? Is this for the Aspire in your specs? Are you using an external monitor? You may have to use the laptop display to install.

 

[ThrashZone]

Yes it's the system the ssd is in now,
How to use the lappy ?

 

[gregrocker]

Mike, I'm not getting what the exact problem is. This is tutorial for troubleshooting installation failures. Are you starting to install Win7 and have no signal to the laptop monitor? Unless the laptop's own monitor has died it should have some sort of signal. If you have an external monitor unplug it for install.

I think you might be better off starting a new thread in General titled with the exact problem you're facing as there may be better hardware help to be found there.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
The install is on my desktop which it shows no monitor,
I have the ssd connected to my external case now so I suppose that is what you were referring to by loading everything from my laptop because without a monitor nothing shows up attempting to load my windows disk to

 

[ThrashZone]

SSD in devices and printers only :/
View attachment 337515
View attachment 337516

 

[gregrocker]

I'm trying to piece together what you're doing from the pieces you've given me while I handle a complicated install here.

You received your SSD and plugged it into your desktop and suddenly the monitor stopped working? I don't see how the SSD woult have anything to do with the monitor stopping working.

Did you check all its connections are tight, whether it works when plugged into another PC like your laptop?

Do you have another cable to try another port like DVI?

You'd not want to install Win7 to the SSD in your laptop if you want to use it in your desktop,. You'd want to resolve the monitor issue by either getting it to work or confirming its failed and replacing it.

 

[ThrashZone]

The monitor is fine,
It never worked during the boot I assumed because the ssd had no software on it

 

[gregrocker]

We know the SSD has no software on it Mike because it is blank.

It's the installation media that has the drivers in it but the monitor is not even dependent upon those drivers and can function without them for install. This is what makes me think it's plug has somehow been knocked loose when you installed the SSD. So check those connections!

 

[Reviting]

I was redirected here when i posted about an issued i'm facing - cant switch back to Windows 7 from Windows 8 on my Asus Q501L laptop.
The problem is that when i reach the step @ which i need to choose partition to install the OS on, i get this message " A required CD/DVD device driver is missing".
I have disabled the Secure Boot in BIOS, i have enabled CSM booting option ( i dont have UEFI as a choice), and the only SATA controller option i get is AHCI (which i think is a bit trange, but i might be wrong). I thought that maybe if i try switching to IDE controller i might be able to see the partitions of the HDD. I've also tried formating the HDD "on the go", while getting this "A required CD/DVD device driver is missing" via the Shift-F10 to get the Command Prompt window. Restarted, and again "...CD/DVD device driver missing..." .

Is it worth it to switch to IDE controller (i read that some people managed to see the partitions after doing that, but it is unclear to me how to do it)? What other possible options i have?

Thank you

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks for posting in the tutorial thread as it reminded me to update Step 4 as follows:

4. The prompt for drivers during booted install almost always means bad installation media. If your installation media is in question download the latest official ISO for your licensed version and burn to DVD or flash stick with tool also provided here. You can test your media in another PC to see if it will boot and queue up correctly. If not replace it. If DVD fails even after replacing, try flash stick install and vice versa. For UEFI install you'll need to create a UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows.

I know you said you see no UEFI setting in BIOS, but if you have Secure Boot then it should have UEFI choices, at least when accessing the BIOS Boot Priority order settings or BIOS Boot Menu via its hotkey.

So if you're getting the DVD or flash stick showing up as a UEFI or EFI device choice, I would choose that first to try install, deleting all partitions at the drive selection screen to create and format New as you please, or just clicking Next to let the installer do it for you.

 

[Reviting]

Thanks, i will try and will let you know about the results.

 

[egalexandersson]

I wholly agree and I believe it shouldn't matter if it comes from your own savvy or not, because you knew exactly where to find the best help.

For someone like me who doesn't have expert knowledge I recommend following the procedure step by step, with no hurry, and rechecking every step after you think you have finished. This is advice from a newbie.

 

[VistaUltimate]

Lenovo Boot Menu button is F12. If you want an EFI install,choose EFI DVD-ROM or EFI USB.