Solved Windows 7 Installation

[dustywoodworker]

What a surprise. This computer has not been trashed. It came up in what I believe is a DOS mode where I had several options on how to proceed. One being Safe Mode and another to Come up Normally.

I chose to Come Up Normally and here I am.

Still confused but happy to at least have this computer operational.

 

[gregrocker]

Now try running the installer from the XP desktop to see what transpires.

If it gets that far, choose Custom install to XP partition.

Or you can follow the steps in Method One here to shrink XP for a second partition to try install into: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP .

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If he's going to try from the XP desktop, this may help give him the idea.

Clean Install Windows 7 from the Windows XP Desktop
​

 

[Zomby88]

Why would he be doing anything from the XP desktop ? I thought the whole purpose of this thread was to install W7.

What system do you have on your pc right now ? And also, could you post a shot of your disk management page.

 

[gregrocker]

We seem to be spinning our wheels for quite awhile now trying to troubleshoot Win7 booted install failure, so why not try running it from XP?

 

[Zomby88]

He mentioned the problem and the reason in the op. You do not take the disc out of the drive until you come to the screen asking you to input your name. Sounds like he was removing it early.

 

[dustywoodworker]

He mentioned the problem and the reason in the op. You do not take the disc out of the drive until you come to the screen asking you to input your name. Sounds like he was removing it early.

No, I left the disc in.

My problem may be just that simple though. I have attempted to do this install several times with just about the same results.

I have booted from the windows disc, I have tried to run from the XP desktop and I have booted from an iso copy on flash stick, I have attempted to install from retail copy of Upgrade 32bit, a retail copy of Full Install both 32and 64 bit. Enough times from different sources that I do not believe it is the source.

All attempts have ended about the same way.

Right now, after some telephone assist from gregrocker, I am letting still another installation attempt play itself out.

It has now been suggested that if I must do this again that I double check memory (RAM) and my GPU (GPU driver).

That will be subject of discussion later.

 

[gregrocker]

Does anyone recognize these symptoms which have just replicated again during attempt to install from XP, same as they did repeatedly for OP during attempt at booted install:

Files copy and expand until first restart, when about half of the boot animation appears, stalling repeatedly until it defaults to Vista animation, then the screen goes blank, long delay then a blinking cursor which can be dragged by the mouse but is severely delayed.

This seems to be a GPU problem when the boot animation cannot render and defaults to Vista. But the video card is only operating using the installer's temporary driver so I suggested OP try loading the card's driver at beginning of install.

He doesn't have any hardware problems in native XP so I'm not sure reinstalling the video card is indicated yet. He has tested HD but not RAM with memtest86 which I've suggested.

I'm going to ask others to look at this thread as perhaps these symptoms are recognized. If you have some time please read back over to see if we are missing anything else. I need to re-read the whole thread tomorrow with fresh eyes.

Thanks.

 

[Dave76]

Setup will reboot 3 to 4 times.

I would Check your ram.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/715-memory-diagnostics-tool.html?ltr=M
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

Both the memory test and the HD test PASSED.

Did you use Memtest86+ to test with?

Let's check some settings to see if anything might need attention.

D/L CPUZ and post a snip of the CPU, Mainboard, Memory, and SPD tabs.
For posting the information , enter 'Snipping tool' in the Start button > Search box, hit enter. Select the area you want to post and save to a convenient place.

How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums


There have been installation issues with Asus 'Cool 'n Quite' setting, disable this before the next installation attempt. You can enable again after the install is complete.

Edit
Have also seen installation issues with some motherboards that were solved by running the installation with only one RAM card installed.
The other RAM cards can be re-installed after the installation is done.

 

[theog]

There have been installation issues with Asus 'Cool 'n Quite' setting, disable this before the next installation attempt. You can enable again after the install is complete.

+1 Good point

 

[Golden]

Hi Dusty,

Greg asked me to make this suggestion.

I found some references to system hangs and black screens for this card on our Vista forum back in 2009 (GeForce 7950 GX2 Problems Loading Drivers - Vista Forums). I'm not entirely sure if its relevant since it seemed related to Nvidia drivers, but perhaps you might consider installing the drivers for this card during the install (Load Drivers link on the Drive Selection screen)?

Just another avenue of attack if Dave's suggestions don't work.

Regards,
Golden

 

[dustywoodworker]

The installation that was started yesterday afternoon IS STILL RUNNING. It has progressed (if I can use that term) to Expanding Windows Files (87%). If this continues at this rate and if I understand the installation sequence, I should experience a restart sometime between 8:00am and 9:00am.

In the mean time, I am deciphering all of the short cut terminology that you guys use and I now have a list of Tasks and D/Ls and Snipping that I must do to call this thread closed.

Thanks again for staying with me on this. I would be no where on this without the help of this forum group. You guys make a great team.

 

[dustywoodworker]

Hi Dusty,

Greg asked me to make this suggestion.

I found some references to system hangs and black screens for this card on our Vista forum back in 2009 (GeForce 7950 GX2 Problems Loading Drivers - Vista Forums). I'm not entirely sure if its relevant since it seemed related to Nvidia drivers, but perhaps you might consider installing the drivers for this card during the install (Load Drivers link on the Drive Selection screen)?

Just another avenue of attack if Dave's suggestions don't work.

Regards,
Golden

I guess the assumption is that Vista and Windows 7 likely share some weaknesses. I am loading Windows 7. This attempt was made with only one of the GPUs installed. If I need to do this install again, I will do so using the other GPU and I will load the current Windows 7 compatible driver (which I have already downloaded.

For clarification: My screen does not go permanently blank. At the first restart, it begins by loading files (indicated by a bar graph at the bottom of the screen). It then begins showing some MS graphics that are distorted and blurry. With patients, the install progresses very slowly into normal quality presentations but progress is extremely slow.

Right now, over eighteen hours into the install, I am waiting for "Expanding Windows Files" to complete Currently at 89%.

Following this I anticipate a restart. Don't know what to expect after that. I have never been there.

Actually, I know what is suppose to happen. I have just never witnessed it. I think this is my 7th attempt.

 

[dustywoodworker]

Expanding Windows Files (95%) and progressing -- now about 19 hrs into it.

 

[dustywoodworker]

11:45am Installing Updates

If this is what I think it is, there should not be much to do here. I did updates manually.

 

[dustywoodworker]

2:00PM "Setup is updating registry settings"

Seems to be frozen here. Has been this way for about an hour. There is no tactile feedback so I don't know if anything is happening or not.

If I would shut down here, what should I expect when I reboot? OR

Should I just let it sit this way to see what happens?

Am I correct in thinking that updating the registry is near the end of the procedure?

I have made none of the inputs that are normally done toward the end of a setup

name, date, time, password, authentication code etc

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I have made none of the inputs that are normally done toward the end of a setup

name, date, time, password, authentication code etc

All that comes after updating registry ...

 

[gregrocker]

Might as well stick it out to see if it finishes since you've waited this long.

If you do bail out, I'd do the RAM test first using memtest86 for 5-6 passes. This was suggested in the very beginning by myself and Theog and confirmed done, but now you are not sure: RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Did you also remove all but 2gb of RAM, try that, then swap sticks if necessary?

Next try your other GPU.

It is also time to pause and go back to the beginning of both your threads to make sure you have actually completed the standard basic troubleshooting steps for this kind of failure. Have you booted Data Lifeguard CD to run Extended test - last night you were unsure, yet both this and RAM tests were confirmed done earlier. As requested before, ask back if you have any questions about performing EACH step as specified.

 

[dustywoodworker]

I will go back through the thread to extract all of the previous recommendations and then make certain that they have all been performed. There have been so many iterations of this and so much of this is greek to me that I am just not certain.

I have removed all but 2GB of RAM.

 

[dustywoodworker]

I have made none of the inputs that are normally done toward the end of a setup

name, date, time, password, authentication code etc

All that comes after updating registry ...

It no longer states that it is updating the registry. It now reports "Setup is starting services". It has been there for about 1/2 hour now.

The tutorials have done much of that but so many items are coming up on my screen that are not shown there. At least it seems that way.

Is there somewhere that I can read the list of events that should occur in the order of occurrence?