Windows 7 Re-install issues

[Taerar]

Hello everyone I have had a bit of a dilemma with my computer. I am currently posting on my Laptop.

Ok, so last month I was randomly browsing the net, installing a new game and chatting on Skype to my mate when my computer just Blue screen of deathed me it lasted a few seconds as it tried to memory dump then would continue to cycle to blue screen each time It got to the windows loading screen.

I managed to capture some of what it said:

Stop: c000021a fatal system error
0x00000000000 (0c0000001 0x00100628) (Not sure if the amount of Zeros is correct)

It only worked in safe mode, so I unplugged everything but keyboard, mouse, internet and monitor. Plugged in my backup drive and backed all my important information up then proceeded to run AV programs the lot. It kept doing it, so I gave up and left it alone.

A few days ago, I turned it back on intending to just wipe it. It worked fine, as if nothing happened..yet I still wanted to wipe it anyways.

This is where it gets confusing and I was losing my patience, please bare with me I have a really bad memory but will try and put it on order:

- Tried repair : Didn't happen said it couldn't fix it
- Tried to custom install Win 7 so It would wipe it : Installs fine until the last part on completion it says its unable to install on the system and shuts down
- Tried to install Vista instead : Installed fine but didn't wipe the HD like I set it to do, merely placed the OS on top of the other one

My plan was to use Vista to wipe the HD and then upgrade to Windows 7, as my computer was originally Vista.

- Used my Win 7 disc to upgrade with custom again to wipe the HD : Said the same as before, unable to install on the system
- Tried to format the HD in safe mode wouldn't have any of it
- It now just Blue screens all the time

So, I searched the net and found a few topics: I am currently following this one Windows 7 - SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

I followed it up to the point it is now stuck on the Format part.
I think I know what I did wrong but just need to clarify, It's at 0 completed and has been since 5 this morning (15:37 here) I was going to partition 100 gig as the tutorial suggested for the os and the rest for my files etc, the thing is my Hard drive as 1tb I assume the 0 is because its taking so long?

When I did the disc clean up it took about 7 hours.

Here are my computer specs:
HP P6045uk
Core 2 Quad Q8200 (Y) 2.33 GHz (95W)
Asus IPIBL-LB
Ram 6 GB DDR2SD
1 TB SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec) 5400 RPM
ATI Radeon HD4350 512 MB

More info Here

I just want to know if I am doing it right up to this point? I am seriously contemplating just buying a new HD as a mate of mine believes the one that's in there might be faulty which is why I am having to many problems.

The computer was up to date with latest updates and drivers before all this happened.

Thank you for any help you can provide

 

[gregrocker]

Test your RAM using memtest86: RAM - Test with Memtest86+ - Windows 7 Forums

Remove all but 2gb of RAM to try install. Swap sticks.

Diskpart Clean All command takes about an hour per 300gb. You can use Clean command instead which will wipe the boot sector which is what can hang install.

Then exit Diskpart, close Command Box, click Install Now, use Custom install Drive Options to partition and format before install. Ignore 100mb SYstem Reserved partition created for boot files and to place Repair console on F8 Boot TOols menu. Screenshots here of each step: Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

If this fails, test your HD using maker's diagnostics/repair extended CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp

 

[Taerar]

I used the computers built in diagnostics tool and it says eveything is fine and healthy.

Now whenever I try to install Windows 7 fresh (Only have the upgrade DVD) it goes to complete and each time says "setup could not configure windows to run on this hardware" and shuts down.

It installs vista without problems but the thing is, I have a Vista 32 bit install yet the computer came with 64 pre-installed and am unable to access the pre-installation files it just BSOD whenever I do, so am I better off installling vista updating all the drivers and stuff then trying to upgrade to Windows 7 32 bit?

Is there much of a difference between 32 and 64?

 

[Craft Bio]

I don't see the difference bettween 32 and 64bit Windows 7's but i guess it's like buying 2 new cars... Some parts aren't compatible with the Toyota, but are with the Ford; Some parts aren't compatible with the Ford, but are with the holden...

(Just a Bit off Topic)

Usually if a program you download isn't compatible with the Windows you are running currently, There will be a replacement for an earlier, later or different version you have.

This happened to me with a Canon Printer Driver, Although th other versions wouldn't install either....

Craft

 

[gregrocker]

What were the results from each of these steps?

Test your RAM using memtest86: RAM - Test with Memtest86+ - Windows 7 Forums

Remove all but 2gb of RAM to try install. Swap sticks.

Diskpart Clean All command takes about an hour per 300gb. You can use Clean command instead which will wipe the boot sector which is what can hang install.

Then exit Diskpart, close Command Box, click Install Now, use Custom install Drive Options to partition and format before install. Ignore 100mb SYstem Reserved partition created for boot files and to place Repair console on F8 Boot TOols menu. Screenshots here of each step: Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

If this fails, test your HD using maker's diagnostics/repair extended CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp

You need to be booting the Win7 DVD, not running it from Vista.

Make sure you have the latest BIOS update. If so, reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

While in BIOS setup, set SATA controller to AHCI to try install.

 

[Taerar]

At the moment it is still clearing the partition.

I have looked at a microsoft solution page, I have installed the 64 bit on a usb stick From this website I'll try to reinstall Windows 7 with that. If that doesn't work I'll test the computer again.

It had a built in diagnostic which scanned the HD and Ram, declaring them both working and healthy. I can't open up the unit whilst its powered on but I'll take out the Ram once this is one.

If those steps don't work I'll just have to wait till to get some money and upgrade it manually without wasting cash on a premade unit again. That was a mistake, in the past I always upgraded my own computers without any issues.

I'll keep you posted in my progress.

 

[gregrocker]

Our help is interactive so if the steps given don't help we have others to try.

If all else fails, as a last resort we can show you how to image Win7 onto the HD.

We do not give up here.

 

[Taerar]

Sorry about the lack of updates, had work today and was tired yesterday.

After getting Vista to install I had a USB memory stick with all the updates and programs from the HP website, I was installing them all fine until it came to the Bios update. After installing that it gave a BSOD and cycled between that and just restarting to a blank screen. So I wiped it again.

Second attempt at the install, baring in mind each install I would wipe the drive, and try again. I was installing the graphics drivers for my Ati Radeon 4350HD And windows updates at the same time. Ati finished and after waiting on windows to finish restarted, Blue screen again.

Third fresh install of Vista 32 bit, installed all the files from the HP website for my computer model except the BIOS update, then it updated/installed half of the 113 updates from windows. After installing half of the updates it installed the second the one that has Internet Explorer 8 in, once reaching 78% it would BSOD and shut down.

I have no given up, I spent all of yesterday constantly trying to install update and get the drivers for my machine to which each time it would just Blue screen. I seriously do not know what's wrong with it, at first I thought it was the graphics card but it's not.

I have only got my laptop now and its rather inconvenient to use for all my website work and gaming needs. I am wondering if I should just ring up HP and see if they can sort it out, even if I have to pay for it since its outside warranty and I couldn't afford insurance etc.

I don't think my computer is destined to get Windows 7, I have my old Windows XP computer in storage it has decent if old specs. I might have to just grit my teeth and get it out, which is annoying that's a unit i put together myself but to save time and money I shelled out for the ready made option, that will teach me in future! (Still haven't finished paying for this unit).

 

[Shootist]

Sounds like you may have a heat problem. CPU or RAM getting hot.
You may want to open up the case and check for dust or debris.
If you can take the case side off and still run the unit check that all the fans are running.

 

[gregrocker]

I thought we were helping you troubleshoot a Win7 install but now you report back that you're installing Vista.

You mention that Vista had a BIOS update. This would have been one of the follow-up troubleshooting steps to get Win7 installed that we would have given if you hadn't disappeared with no response to the first sets of steps given.

When you are ready to install Win7 we can help you troubleshoot the install, which has not been done yet.

 

[Taerar]

I have been following the Windows 7 steps to no avail, each time I try to install it will just said something about "Windows is unable to configure the system" I cannot find out exactly what it said but each time I would install the OS for a second then it would shut down so not enough time to catch the entire term.

So I tried vista, and figured if I could install Vista update and then try and update to windows 7? To see if that works.

That's the only reason I am discussing Vista, because I was going to use it to help upgrade to 7.

 

[gregrocker]

If you've updated the BIOS, try Win7 install again - even if to a separate partition you create to test if it will install now. This is often one of the causes of install failure.

You can also try running the Win7 installer from Vista desktop, but first try a Custom Install to overwrite Vista instead of an inferior Upgrade install.

As a last resort you can do the in-place Upgrade from Vista to see if it enables Win7 install.

As I said, we really didn't get far enough into troubleshooting Win7 clean install to know whether it would work on its own. It is an interactive process which means we give you steps, then you reply with the results, then we give you more steps until it installs.

 

[Taerar]

Ok, I really don't understand why my computer is working fine now. I have installed most of the updates, its on service pack 1, should I run the microsoft compatability program to see if I can install windows 7? Or should I install the Service pack 2?

 

[gregrocker]

It's up to you. Running Upgrade Advisor is a good idea as it will flag anything obvious.

Again, I would first try a Custom Install to overwrite Vista. Let us know how that works.