Solved Windows 7 Installation

[gregrocker]

Boot the Win7 installer, select Custom install, use Drive Options to delete the Win7 partition, create a new one and format, then install.

That's all that is needed. Wiping the partition gives no advantage whatsoever. Only wiping the boot sector can help a failing install, and we already tried that here when you ran Diskpart "Clean All" on the HD. You did that step, right?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

There have been too many instances where the wipe (clean all) of the HDD got the install working when nothing else would to discount that as an option and it does no harm at all to a HDD and doing "a few" to an SSD does no harm what-so-ever.

 

[gregrocker]

I just skimmed back through the thread and it appears he hasn't tried wiping the HD yet. I think he should try it as it should have been done by now and I thought it had been.

 

[dustywoodworker]

I just skimmed back through the thread and it appears he hasn't tried wiping the HD yet. I think he should try it as it should have been done by now and I thought it had been.

Recall that until this HD was repartitioned a week or so ago that it was a 140GB single partition HD with the OS. I could not wipe it until after it was repartitioned.

Yes, I guess that before I attempted the W7 installation I should have done that. I did not know. I thought that when the drive was repartitioned that the partition was also reformated. I know now.

Just thinking. I attempted to install W7 on the HD with XP there more than once. Since I never wiped/repartitioned before those attempts, could that have been the problem all along.

Whenever I did that, I tromped all over XP and had to reinstall to get back online.

Before I attempt another installation, I will wipe the partition.

Is it reasonable to suspect that this has been the problem all along

 

[gregrocker]

First I'd exhaust all of the leads which Dave has given you, and he may have more.

Confirm you have now tried booted install with both video cards.

 

[dustywoodworker]

Boot the Win7 installer, select Custom install, use Drive Options to delete the Win7 partition, create a new one and format, then install.

That's all that is needed. Wiping the partition gives no advantage whatsoever. Only wiping the boot sector can help a failing install, and we already tried that here when you ran Diskpart "Clean All" on the HD. You did that step, right?

To specifically answer your question, I will have to do it again to see the procedure actually run. All of this procedures have been a learning process and there have been so many that they are running together.

Yeah, I know. EXCUSES.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Just take your time mate, you are doing a good job of keeping up.

 

[dustywoodworker]

First I'd exhaust all of the leads which Dave has given you, and he may have more.

Confirm you have now tried booted install with both video cards.

I created a "to-do" list earlier when I reviewed the thread. I have worked off that list. I have kept abreast of Dave's recommendations and believe I have responded here to every one of them. I think that everything has been done.

I just got through reviewing (not performing) the diskpart instructions. I may have done it wrong but I went into diskpart from the command prompt and responded according to the instructions. I recall partially because it was at that point I decided to leave the partition at 140Gb. After this, when we talked, the 2nd partition was created.

That specific partition, except that it was part of the 140GB partition, has NOT been through the diskpart routine.

I saw this as part of the installation procedure as I was directed there by the W7 Installation procedure.

Yes, I have had both of my GPU installed in the system I am attempting to load with W7. The replacement GPU has NOT been through a full blown attempt to install W7. I put it in yesterday. Results are posted elsewhere in this thread.

 

[dustywoodworker]

First I'd exhaust all of the leads which Dave has given you, and he may have more.

Confirm you have now tried booted install with both video cards.

After replacing the original GPU, I attempted to boot from the W7 disk and when that did not work, I attempted to boot from the USB flash stick.

On both attempts the performance was contrary to the scripted procedure in the same way as reported earlier in this thread. ( ref: Digital photo images of my monitor screen).

Used the digital images because I could not figure out how to save the screen shots (if they even existed) because I could not get to paint.

 

[dustywoodworker]

How is the graphics card listed in BIOS? What are it's settings choices?

If you click on the Chipset VGA (Disabled) BIOS listing you referenced earlier can you Enable it? What are the options?

If you are getting the Windows Boot Menu as shown in screenshot linked then the DVD does not appear to be booting. Try booting the flashstick installer. Use Custom install>Drive Options to delete failed Win7 install, create new partition, format, install.

When it starts like shown here, I never get to the Custom Install Option, Greg.

 

[TVeblen]

Hi Dusty. Sorry if these questions are redundant, but this is a very long thread.....

1. Could you tell me how many physical hard disk drives are installed inside the case of this computer?

2. If I read your specs correctly you have 2 optical drives connected-

• The HP DVD 1140d
• and a Sony CD-RW CRX320EE

Is this correct?

3. In your BIOS Settings > On the MAIN Tab > Under "Storage Configuration" > what does it say?

 

[theog]

When you boot the DVD, do you see this screen?

 

[dustywoodworker]

When you boot the DVD, do you see this screen?

View attachment 171976

I have seen it but only in the earlier attempts.

 

[dustywoodworker]

Hi Dusty. Sorry if these questions are redundant, but this is a very long thread.....

1. Could you tell me how many physical hard disk drives are installed inside the case of this computer?

2. If I read your specs correctly you have 2 optical drives connected-

• The HP DVD 1140d
• and a Sony CD-RW CRX320EE

Is this correct?

3. In your BIOS Settings > On the MAIN Tab > Under "Storage Configuration" > what does it say?

There are 4 HDs however, one has been disconnected. I started with a RAID5 on four HDs. I experienced a crash and rebuilt with three individual drives. Right now I have two of those disconnected to isolate them from what I have been doing. So, I guess the short answer to your questions is ONE.

Yes, those are the the two optical drives.

There is no category titled "Storage"

This is an image of "Main"

Looks like my system time needs to be reset.

 

[Dave76]

Progress report: Just rebooted after an overnight successful memory test, 20 tests completed with 0 errors. CPU temperature is 49-50 degrees and MOBO temperature is 44 degrees. CPU Fan speed is 3375rpm

Are these temps with your computer running at Idle (minimum programs opened)?

If that is at idle, then the temps are high.

When installing an OS(Operating System) the OS functions are not running, Cool 'n Quiet (an Operating System function) will lower the frequency and voltage letting the system run cooler, this won't be running during the OS installation.

When Windows 7 is installing the CPU is running at maximum settings as set in the BIOS, this will cause more CPU heat and if it gets hot enough it will throttle down the frequency and voltage, to protect the CPU from being damaged.
This fluctuation in CPU speed can cause the installation to stall and/or fail.

I recommend to resolve this CPU temperature issue before trying to install Win7 again.

1) You need to ensure the CPU cooler and fan are clean from any dust buildup.

2) Remove CPU heat sink.

3) Clean top of CPU and bottom of CPU cooler with alcohol and a clean lint free cloth, a coffee filter works well for this.

4) Apply thermal paste, Arctic Silver 5 is recommended. Too much thermal paste can result in much less cooling, apply a very thin layer.

5) Install CPU cooler.

Thermal paste application instructions.
Artic Silver Instructions
Best Thermal Paste Application Methods


I'll try to find a good video of how to do this.


You are receiving good advice from the senior members here.
I think you should clean/wipe the partition before the next install.

When the CPU thermal paste has been re-applied, check that these are done before you start the installation.
As you mentioned previously, install your other graphics card.

1) Have only one graphics card installed.

2) Check that no other devices are installed that is not absolutely necessary for the computer to run.

3) Only one hard drive installed.

4) No USB devices, hubs, etc.

5) One monitor connected.

6) No printer connected.

7) Only one CD/DVD device connected.

All these things can be reconnected after the installation is finished.

Hi Dusty. Sorry if these questions are redundant, but this is a very long thread.....

1. Could you tell me how many physical hard disk drives are installed inside the case of this computer?

2. If I read your specs correctly you have 2 optical drives connected-

• The HP DVD 1140d
• and a Sony CD-RW CRX320EE

Is this correct?

3. In your BIOS Settings > On the MAIN Tab > Under "Storage Configuration" > what does it say?

There are 4 HDs however, one has been disconnected. I started with a RAID5 on four HDs. I experienced a crash and rebuilt with three individual drives. Right now I have two of those disconnected to isolate them from what I have been doing. So, I guess the short answer to your questions is ONE.

Yes, those are the the two optical drives.

There is no category titled "Storage"

This is an image of "Main" View attachment 171986

Looks like my system time needs to be reset.

 

[gregrocker]

How is the graphics card listed in BIOS? What are it's settings choices?

If you click on the Chipset VGA (Disabled) BIOS listing you referenced earlier can you Enable it? What are the options?

If you are getting the Windows Boot Menu as shown in screenshot linked then the DVD does not appear to be booting. Try booting the flashstick installer. Use Custom install>Drive Options to delete failed Win7 install, create new partition, format, install.

When it starts like shown here, I never get to the Custom Install Option, Greg.

Again, this is because the DVD is not booting. You see this menu because the opportunity to boot from the BIOS has been passed and is now handed over to Windows Boot manager.

You need to boot from the DVD or flash stick.

How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

Or tap the Asus F8 key at boot to choose DVD/USB drive to boot.

I started with a RAID5 on four HDs. I experienced a crash and rebuilt with three individual drives. Right now I have two of those disconnected to isolate them from what I have been doing. So, I guess the short answer to your questions is ONE.

This means installing a Dual Boot on the same HD was unnecessary, and there is no reason you should not be able to wipe one of the HD's to try install to it with all others unplugged.

You said you reset the CMOS in the beginning. Were you mistaken about that too?

Please look deeper into settings for SATA controller (Storage) setting. You may have it still RAIDed. You need to know the SATA controller is set to AHCI or IDE. Try AHCI first.

 

[dustywoodworker]

Dave,

Those temperatures were taken almost immediately after the memory test which ran for about 9-10 hours.

The CPU temp right now is 43-44°C and the M/B is 39-40°C.

I have the sides off of the case and did have during the memory test. I wonder if that might be a bad practice. It would certainly alter the directed air flow.

What temperatures are considered ideal?

PS I put the sides on to see if there was a change. Room temperature where the computer is located is about 74° F.

 

[dustywoodworker]

How is the graphics card listed in BIOS? What are it's settings choices?

If you are getting the Windows Boot Menu as shown in screenshot linked then the DVD does not appear to be booting. Try booting the flashstick installer. Use Custom install>Drive Options to delete failed Win7 install, create new partition, format, install.

When it starts like shown here, I never get to the Custom Install Option, Greg.

Again, this is because the DVD is not booting. You see this menu because the opportunity to boot from the BIOS has been passed and is now handed over to Windows Boot manager.

You need to boot from the DVD or flash stick.

How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

Or tap the Asus F8 key at boot to choose DVD/USB drive to boot.

I started with a RAID5 on four HDs. I experienced a crash and rebuilt with three individual drives. Right now I have two of those disconnected to isolate them from what I have been doing. So, I guess the short answer to your questions is ONE.

Boot from the CD

I get it. I get it.

But maybe my HD or DVD do not.

Greg, I have questioned this screen (the condition it represents) from the very beginning of these discussions. Even before I received the lecture on booting from the DVD.

Sometimes it just seems that the existence of a DVD in the reader goes undetected and it boots from the HD anyhow. I have double checked the BIOS Boot Priority several times. If I install a floppy, I am so told. If I install a non-system disc in the DVD and boot, I get an NTDETECT failure which I think is normal. Take the CD out and boot and it goes to the HD. Normal.

But I do not argue - it appears to be operating off the HD when it should be reading from the installation CD.

My BIOS "Boot Device Priority" is CDROM/Removable/HD.

If I just disconnect that CDROM, does it default to the other? Is this even a reasonable thought?

BTW If I change the BIOS to BOOT from the flash stick and then do so - it does not sequence through according to the script either.

 

[theog]

Do you have another DVD Drive that you can use?

 

[TVeblen]

Hi Dusty. Sorry if these questions are redundant, but this is a very long thread.....

1. Could you tell me how many physical hard disk drives are installed inside the case of this computer?

2. If I read your specs correctly you have 2 optical drives connected-

• The HP DVD 1140d
• and a Sony CD-RW CRX320EE

Is this correct?

3. In your BIOS Settings > On the MAIN Tab > Under "Storage Configuration" > what does it say?

There are 4 HDs however, one has been disconnected. I started with a RAID5 on four HDs. I experienced a crash and rebuilt with three individual drives. Right now I have two of those disconnected to isolate them from what I have been doing. So, I guess the short answer to your questions is ONE.

Yes, those are the the two optical drives.

There is no category titled "Storage"

This is an image of "Main" View attachment 171986

Looks like my system time needs to be reset.

I'd like you to do a simple test.

First, Disconnect the Sony CD-RW. Either remove the power connector, the data connector, or both. (Tip: leave this optical drive disconnected for now - you do not need it to install W7. It is best to install the OS on a "simple system" - just the minimal devices need to run)

Second, Disconnect the one hard disk (zero hard disks connected)

Boot the computer. Note what you get for messages. You will get either a black screen with just a blinking cursor, or a "no operating system found" message, or something similar. Let us know what it says.

While the computer is still on, put the W7 installation DVD disk in the HP DVD drive and then reboot the computer using the reset button on the front of your case.

You should get the "press any key..." message. Press any key and see if the installer will start. It won't go far if it can't find a hard drive, but that's OK.

Shut down, reconnect the hard drive, and post back anything that happened, including any messages.