Solved Windows 7 Installation

[gregrocker]

You used Ultra ISO trial version following the steps I've written out several times now? There is no burning, then stick is written to from the ISO off the DVD. This is the only program I know that can do this.

No hurry. We'll be here as long as it takes and beyond.

 

[dustywoodworker]

You used Ultra ISO trial version following the steps I've written out several times now? There is no burning, then stick is written to from the ISO off the DVD. This is the only program I know that can do this.

No hurry. We'll be here as long as it takes and beyond.

Sorry for my misuse of terms. During my military days as a technician, one of my tasks was to "burn proms/eproms". Guess I had a flash back.

 

[dustywoodworker]

I have abandoned the idea of a dual boot for right now. I am confused enough just trying to resolve my original problem. Maybe later, after I have Windows 7 operating, I will come back to the dual boot idea.

Earlier Greg, you instructed me to: "While in BIOS setup set SATA controller setting to AHCI to try install, then IDE if that fails".

I am unable to find those options in my BIOS though I do find a section labeled "SATA Controller". Are these two settings (if I have them available) special modes? If so, what is the normal Mode?

After doing a bit of research (googling) I may now have a clue. Despite what my system specs indicate - I am not operating in RAID Mode. I had a major HD crash and when I recovered I came up in SATA Mode. I was unable to locate an identical HD to replace the one that failed.

Are the recommended modes applicable only to the RAID setup?

 

[gregrocker]

What choices are available under SATA controllers in BIOS?

 

[dustywoodworker]

What choices are available under SATA controllers in BIOS?

Phoenix - Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Silicon SATAII Controller
Disabled
SATA Mode **
RAID Mode

 

[dustywoodworker]

I had a question about how I was going to BOOT from the USB Flash Stick so I inserted it. The USB is not one of the items listed in my BOOT Priority list but then I realized that I was not booting.

Much to my surprise, a Windows 7 windows came up.:shock:

It offered the choice of either Upgrade Adviser or Start Now. I opted for the Adviser to make sure my machine was still compatible.

I was real tempted to just Start Installation but I did not.

I do not want to disable that computer again until I am certain the I have done all the downloading that I need to.

The other computer (this one) does not perform well online. It is an old machine with a slow 384MHz processor.

 

[gregrocker]

Use SATA mode.

Haven't heard of UPgrade advisor being offered by installer before. Might be something new. What does advisor report?

If USB isn't listed in BIOS Boot order or one-time BIOS Boot Menu key when plugged in, look under HD's or Removable. It should list the stick model, select it to boot. Clean Install Windows 7

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

This is what you happened upon, not really the best way if others are available.

Clean Install Windows 7 from the Windows 7 Desktop

Clean Install Windows 7 from the Windows XP Desktop


​

 

[dustywoodworker]

Use SATA mode.

Haven't heard of UPgrade advisor being offered by installer before. Might be something new. What does advisor report?

If USB isn't listed in BIOS Boot order or one-time BIOS Boot Menu key when plugged in, look under HD's or Removable. It should list the stick model, select it to boot. Clean Install Windows 7

I am mistaken. The choice was not for the Advisor but rather to "Check compatibility Online". When clicked on that it took me to the Adviser.

There were three alerts. My RealTek driver needs to be updated, I need to update IE7 and the Graphics Adapter won't support Windows Aero.

I have the driver, I'll download IE8 and I don't know what impact Windows Aero will be. Hopefully, I can deal with the graphics adapter later.

The USB (with Windows 7 ISO) is listed on My Computer as one of the removable devices but with a different icon than before.

 

[gregrocker]

The installer is not booting but running from the OS.

Did you tap the F8 key at boot to try to access the one-time BIOS boot menu to see if the stick is listed, perhaps under USB, REmovable or HD's?

It would be good to resolve the bootability issue first on the DVD or flash stick since it may be needed for repairs in which case it needs to be booted.

If necessary you can try running install from OS.

 

[dustywoodworker]

The installer is not booting but running from the OS.

Did you tap the F8 key at boot to try to access the one-time BIOS boot menu to see if the stick is listed, perhaps under USB, REmovable or HD's?

It would be good to resolve the bootability issue first on the DVD or flash stick since it may be needed for repairs in which case it needs to be booted.

If necessary you can try running install from OS.

I guess that is a good sign that Windows 7 is on the flash stick.:sarc:

Tapping the F8 key gets me to where I can boot. I did not know that was known as the "one-time bios boot menu". I have not done that with the flash stick installed. I assume the flash stick must be installed. I also have the option of using the TAB key which takes me to a menu (same menu as tapping F8) that allows me to select boot source

I feel that I must resolve the bootability issue.

I'll not load Windows 7 by running from the OS unless there is no other way.

If I can read and write from my CDROM, can I assume that the CDROM is not the issue here?

The problem began when I first installed Windows 7. This attempt ended after the first restart. The process should have come back to either finish "Copying Files" or go to "Expanding Files" but did not. I really do not know what it was doing.

What was interesting is that it was W7 related (based on the screens) which did change from time to time. I left it there for about 6 hours. At times I even thought I was getting somewhere BUT finally gave up.

This is why I was considering doing a dual boot. I could get back into Windows XP without needing to rebuild XP if not successful at the W7 install.

 

[gregrocker]

Plug in the flash stick, unplug all other peripherals, boot the computer, tap the F8 key repeatedly until you can access the one-time BIOS Boot Menu.

Look through the choices to find the flash stick which is normally listed by model, but may be under USB, Removable Devices, or even HD's.

Use the up or down keys to choose the flash stick, press Enter.

What happens?

 

[dustywoodworker]

Plug in the flash stick, unplug all other peripherals, boot the computer, tap the F8 key repeatedly until you can access the one-time BIOS Boot Menu.

Look through the choices to find the flash stick which is normally listed by model, but may be under USB, Removable Devices, or even HD's.

Use the up or down keys to choose the flash stick, press Enter.

What happens?

It begins a load process. A black and white screen at the bottom of the monitor.

I did a reset at that point because I did nt have time to stick with the load.

 

[dustywoodworker]

Installation time is rapidly approaching. A few questions before I start.

I have two HD that are disconnected now but will be part of the system when done. Should I reconnect them before I do the installation. Does that make a difference to drive letters.

The HD that will get the OS (s) is 137.73 GB with 128.76 GB free now. This drive contains XP and nothing else.

If I decide to add Windows 7 on this HD, will the installation automatically partition the drive while leaving XP in tact?

Will Windows 7 be the default OS?

Since there is no unallocated space, how do I get a partition for Windows 7; I assume that clicking "New" will do that?

Do I automatically have a "Reserved Partition" along with a second partition (for W7) when I do this.

How much space should I allocate?

I don't intend to have anything on this HD other than the OS(s) and the reserved partition.

 

[gregrocker]

If you want to Dual boot and you have other HD's then I would use the cleanest method which is to put the OS's on separate HD's booted via the BIOS.

To do it this way unplug the XP HD, plug its cable into the Win7 target HD making sure it remains set as first HD to boot in BIOS setup. After installing, plug back in the XP HD as secondary DISK1 and boot it when needed using the F8 key.

 

[dustywoodworker]

I want to thank all the members who posted on this thread. Each and every post has been helpful and have jointly led to this day.

Today I plan to install Windows 7 and this time I have great expectations that I will do it right. This level of confidence comes from the terrific advice that I have received here.

I am already a true fan of Windows 7 (and I don't even have it loaded yet) and I wish I had made this move sooner. Just the exposure to all of the tutorials has made me feel this way.

Hmmm I wonder what Windows 8 would be like.

 

[gregrocker]

Good luck and let us know how it goes. Will check in throughout the afternoon here.

Windows 8 is targeted to tablet and mobile devices which Windows OS sales took a hit on recently. There is already a windows8forums.com if you want to stop by and browse or ask questions.

 

[Golden]

Thats great feedback Dusty, its that sort of response that keeps fellas like Greg rocking-on (if you excuse the pun). I'm sure you are going to enjoy Windows 7.

Regards,
Golden

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hmmm I wonder what Windows 8 would be like.

Windows 8 Forums
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[dustywoodworker]

It has been about one hour since I started.

Nothing has proceeded according to the script. In fact, it might be a repeat of every other attempt.

The first thing that happened after post was a black screen with a progress bar across the bottom. It stated "Loading Files".

After a few minutes, the screen changed to "Starting Windows" with four orbiting colored dots. Those dots eventually got larger and occasionally relocated. Then they changed to an out of focus Windows logo (flag).

At twenty one minutes into the process, the screen went blank. Six minutes later there was a pointer added to the blank screen. The pointer does not respond to the mouse. It is larger than it was/is. Resolution appears to have changed to about 800x600.

It has been one hour now since I started.

It is certain that I have once again stomped all over my XP installation but the curious point is that I have done this three or four times now and XP will load right up from disc according to script.

I am really confused but will not give up. BUMMER

PS The pointer does not move with the mouse but does move. It moves in the right direction - mouse is being tracked but not in real time.

I am going to leave it do whatever it is doing for an hour or two just to see what happens.