Solved Windows 7 Installation Issues (PLEASE HELP)

[Kesha]

Hello. I need some help. Please forgive me if i sound stupid. I am trying to install Windows 7 64 bit on my PC.

I can give you some background info, I have a Dell Inspirion that came with Windows 7 64 & 32 installed. Last year I ended up getting viruses on my PC, I had it cleaned and fixed. The person that repaired my PC wiped everything (Dell backup, factory reset etc) (at the time I didn't like that the Dell backup option was gone, but nothing could be done). Now about a few months ago, I ended up getting another virus, Windows Essential and Offender could not remove the virus. I was able to get the PC without any issues, but I did not want to pay bills online, sign into accounts etc.

I ended up downloding and installing Windows 8 Evaulations from Microsoft. After the PC restarted I ended up getting a signature error message. I tried the system restore option that did not work. I even backed up my boyfriend's PC (that is a Dell Inspirion) to try to restore, factory reset and etc. That did not work.

I purchased Windows 7 repair/reinstall disk that did not work. Whenever I try to reisntall Windows 7, the system complete the reinstallation process, the PC restarts and go back to Installation Screen (Language, Time & Currency, & Keyboard input). Did it a few times, same outcome.

Now I purchase an official Windows 7 64 and 32 bit discs. I have the product key for the Windows 7 that came with my PC when I first purchased. And the same with my boyfriend's PC. When I tried to install Windows 7 64 bit, the PC restarts and back to the Installation Screen.

I've tried to format the partition then install Windows 7 64 bit, nothing happens. Once the PC restarts it goes back to Installation Screen. I've looked online, and forums trying to get the PC to install Windows 7. Nothing works.

Please help, I can provide any information on my PC, if you can give me the steps or how to get the needed info.
(I'm using a laptop to post this on the forums.) Sorry if I posted in the wrong thread, and/or did something stupid.

Please help!


Thanks.

 

[theog]

On the first Installation reboot, remove the Windows 7 DVD from the DVD drive.

 

[Kesha]

Thank you for replying back. After the system said it will restart, and went back to Installation Screen, I took the disc out of the drive and click next. I got a message about there is not a media in the drive, please use a floppy disk, USB or disc.

In the same prompt box it said if the Windows Installation disk is in the drive, it can be safely removed. The option I has was Browse, Rescan, or OK. I choose Ok, then get an error message to put the disk in.

No device drivers were found. Make sure that the installation media contains the correct drivers and then click OK.

 

[fireberd]

Here is the Dell manual reinstall instructions, it may help.
Windows 7 Manual Reinstall | Dell

 

[Kesha]

Thank you for the Dell manual. I took a look at the section on how to "Reinstall the operating system from the OS Setup Disk."

I've done this step again, to make sure I'm doing it right. After the system install Windows 7, restarts then it come back to the Install Screen again.

 

[gregrocker]

You don't need to buy another copy of Win7. You own the one which came preinstalled on the OS for life to reinstall however you want as often as you please using the Product Key on the COA sticker. Everything needed to get a perfect install including the latest installer and tool to burn to DVD or write to flash stick is in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

You said that the tech wiped your HD before, correct? Maybe he only deleted some partitions and you still have the bootable Diagnostics. Try tapping the F12 menu at boot to see if you can run them now to check over your hardware first: Dell Diagnostics Utility - How to Run the. If it wont' run and the following steps don't work then we'll return to hardware diagnostics.

Next follow these extra steps which overcome 90% of install failures such as you describe:

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS, enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module, set DVD drive first to boot, HD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here. How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

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.

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.

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 marking it Active which overcomes certain install failures.

 

[AddRAM]

The computer should never boot from the dvd drive with the disc in it, unless you hit the keyboard when it says "Press any key to boot from dvd" you are only hitting the keyboard 1 time aren`t you ?

If that indeed is the problem, then.....

In the bios, set the boot order to

(1st) Hard Drive
(2nd) DVD Drive

then use the 1 time boot key ( shown on the bios screen ) to boot from the dvd the 1st time. Then it should boot to the hard drive like normal on the 2nd boot.

 

[Kesha]

You don't need to buy another copy of Win7. You own the one which came preinstalled on the OS for life to reinstall however you want as often as you please using the Product Key on the COA sticker. Everything needed to get a perfect install including the latest installer and tool to burn to DVD or write to flash stick is in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

You said that the tech wiped your HD before, correct? Maybe he only deleted some partitions and you still have the bootable Diagnostics. Try tapping the F12 menu at boot to see if you can run them now to check over your hardware first: Dell Diagnostics Utility - How to Run the. If it wont' run and the following steps don't work then we'll return to hardware diagnostics.

Next follow these extra steps which overcome 90% of install failures such as you describe:

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS, enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module, set DVD drive first to boot, HD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here. How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

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.

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.

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 marking it Active which overcomes certain install failures.

Thanks for replying. When I press F12 Boot Option, ran Dell Diagnostic Utility. Did not find any errors, said something about doing another test that was recommended. Did that, came back to the PC soon after getting your reply last night, seen a message saying (this AM), said "No diagnostic partition identified."

I restart my PC and set it to boot from the DVD, when the Installation Screen (Language, Time & Currency....) I press Shift then F10, nothing happens. I press Shift + F10 nothing happens.

The only thing I have connected to my PC is a VGA Switch (b/c I use a deployed PC for work, and my PC) to use 1 monitor for both PCs. I have ethernet cable connected to router, keyboard and mouse.

 

[Kesha]

The computer should never boot from the dvd drive with the disc in it, unless you hit the keyboard when it says "Press any key to boot from dvd" you are only hitting the keyboard 1 time aren`t you ?

If that indeed is the problem, then.....

In the bios, set the boot order to

(1st) Hard Drive
(2nd) DVD Drive

then use the 1 time boot key ( shown on the bios screen ) to boot from the dvd the 1st time. Then it should boot to the hard drive like normal on the 2nd boot.

Thanks for replying. Oh ok, I see. But I did the order you said. I went into F2, (CMOS Setup Utility), go to Boot Device Configuration changed it to:

1st Boot Device: [P1-TSSTcorp DVD=/-]
2nd Boot Device: [PO-ST332048AS]
3rd Boot Device: [USB]
4th Boot Device: [Removable Dev.]
5th Boot Device: [Network]

Save and exit, pc starts and start loading.... I don't have an option to press any key.

 

[gregrocker]

If the diagnostic partition cannot be found then you can delete all partitions using the Clean command. Later the Dell diagnostics are available online from http://www.dell.com/support/Diagnostics/us/en/04

Another way to access the Command Line is choose Repair My Computer on the second screen when you boot into DVD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

If you cannot get the prompt to Press Any Key to boot Disk at reboot, try tapping the f12 BIOS Boot Menu key at boot, choose the DVD drive. Any prompt now? If not then burn another DVD from the link provided. If that fails try writing to flash stick, booting under USB, Removable or HD's. If that fails, unplug the DVD drive and try again.

 

[Kesha]

If the diagnostic partition cannot be found then you can delete all partitions using the Clean command. Later the Dell diagnostics are available online from Dell PC Diagnostics | Dell US

Another way to access the Command Line is choose Repair My Computer on the second screen when you boot into DVD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

If you cannot get the prompt to Press Any Key to boot Disk at reboot, try tapping the f12 BIOS Boot Menu key at boot, choose the DVD drive. Any prompt now? If not then burn another DVD from the link provided. If that fails try writing to flash stick, booting under USB, Removable or HD's. If that fails, unplug the DVD drive and try again.

Thanks for replying. Ok, I'll try the Clean Command. That worked (restarted the PC got a prompt to press any key), now I'm reinstall Windows 7 I have:

Disk 0 Partition: WINDOWS 7 Total size: 100.0 GB Free Space: 99.99 GB Type: System
Disk 0 Unallocated Space Total size: 198.1 GB Free Space: 198.1 GB Type: (Blank)

My question is I would like the whole HDD for Windows 7, b/c I plan to play PC games (The Sims 3). Should I do the the Clean Command again to change the size of it? If so, can you tell me the specific size it should be, please? I remember looking at it (before doing the Clean Command, that there was a partition for System reserve and another partition (I'm assuming it's was for Windows 7).

Sorry for the stupid question(s)! I appreciate you helping me so far!

 

[gregrocker]

If you want a full disk partition for Win7 then after the Clean Command reports it completed, type Exit, close the box, then click Install Now,

at drive selection screen click Drive Options shown in Steps 6/7 of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html, create New partition with the full size given, Format it and click Next to begin install.

Ignore the 100mb Boot partition created at front of drive.

While it is installing please read over the steps to get a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 again. The extent to which you use the tools and methods given will determine if you get and how long you keep a perfect install.

 

[Kesha]

If you want a full disk partition for Win7 then after the Clean Command reports it completed, type Exit, close the box, then click Install Now,

at drive selection screen click Drive Options shown in Steps 6/7 of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html, create New partition with the full size given, Format it and click Next to begin install.

Ignore the 100mb Boot partition created at front of drive.

While it is installing please read over the steps to get a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 again. The extent to which you use the tools and methods given will determine if you get and how long you keep a perfect install.

Thanks for the help! I got it to work (I'm using my PC that I wanted to fix). I appreciate your help so much!

I have one thing that I would like to fix and I promise you I'll leave you alone!

I activate Windows on my PC, and I would like to know is there any way to get 100 gb that I used labeled as WINDOWS 7.
The Unallocated partition, I followed the link for Clean Windows Tutorial, then I was able to install Windows, without any issue. (THANK YOU SO MUCH!!)
But now I would like to get use my whole HDD I see that I only have the 198 gb. How can I change it to 298 gb?

After this I'll leave you alone!

 

[gregrocker]

I gave you the step to create a full disk partition so I dont' know why you ended up with 100gb.

To add the unallocated space follow this tutorial and just keep clicking next: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2670-partition-volume-extend.html

You can label partition by rightlcicking on the C drive in Start>Computer, then choose Properties and type in a label in the empty box at top.

 

[AddRAM]

Have you figured it out ? Post a shot of disk management.

rb:start>right click computer>manage> wait a few seconds> left hand side choose disk management> wait a few more seconds> post a pic of the results.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[Kesha]

Thank you guys, Gregrocker & AddRAM!

Yes, was able to fix it! I did the reinstall over and finally got all my HDD! I truly appreciate!!!

Sure, I'll be glad to (post a pic).

 

[gregrocker]

Looks good Kesha. If there are no further issues, when ready mark the thread Solved at top.

Since you like the spectacular Win7 backgrounds, here's a little gift for you from us: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/...on-scenery-regional-wallpapers-free-download/

Enjoy Win7!

 

[Kesha]

Looks good Kesha. If there are no further issues, when ready mark the thread Solved at top.

Since you like the spectacular Win7 backgrounds, here's a little gift for you from us: 120 Original Windows 7 High Resolution Scenery Regional Wallpapers Free Download « My Digital Life

Enjoy Win7!

I do!

Hopefully no more issues! Thank you for the link/gift!!

Will do!

Again, thanks for everything!!!!!

 

[gregrocker]

You're most welcome.

 

[AddRAM]

Excellent Job