Solved Windows 7 Successfully Installs, Shuts down; Starts Vista Recovery

[DeLeet]

Hello,

I am currently running windows vista 32 bit home. I installed the windows 7 ultimate 64 bit using clean installation, choosing drive (C and the installation went fine. The problem arose when It finished. I created my user and other startup stuff. Then when the "Welcome" came up, it quickly changed to "Shutting Down". The computer restarted, but somehow only loaded Windows Vista Recovery afterwards, in which all i could do was repair windows. My only option was windows 7 which was installed, but did not work because it was the 64bit version. I then installed 32bit W7 and the same thing happened. Was able to do the recovery with it though and got my windows vista home back. How can i make this installation work?

These are some of my system specs if they can help.
Gateway FX540S
2 Harddrives. (RAID i believe as it says it as i turn on PC) Harddrive (C is 455GB and holds all my files, Harddrive (K is only 10GB and holds RECOVERY.
3 GB RAM
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz, 2403 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 8600GS

Thanks in advance!

 

[DeLeet]

just attempted to format the drive before installing to drive c....still did nothing. Iwas also going to try to extend the drive but that option was not available....

 

[Saltgrass]

You need to know for sure if you are running a RAID, the install will have to set that up. I do not have much experience with it, but the drives have to be formatted correctly. The RAID message you see may require you to hit some key to enter and set up the RAID.

If it isn't that, could an OEM utility be trying to repair the Vista Install and interfering with the Windows 7 one?

 

[gregrocker]

I would remove the RAID in it's utility accessed when you first start machine, or in BIOS setup change controller to AHCI or IDE mode. It confers no benefit and causes installation problems.

Remove one HD, boot the Win7 installer, launch a Custom install using Drive Options to delete all partitions and create new as you wish, or just click Next and installer will format one install partition and begin.

Clean Install Windows 7

 

[SIW2]

It is not clear to me why some oem's set up Raid as default.

What is the point of that?

 

[gregrocker]

Si, I believe it's to give users the largest possible OS drive since most users don't want to bother with partitioning a second HD, and creating the second D data drive is a relatively new approach by OEM's.

I reinstalled to a Dell in RAID mode once without even knowing I'd done so. Only later when I saw the size on disk did I check to see it was two HD's.

 

[DeLeet]

ok...A friend recommended that i clear the RECOVERY partition so i just did. Just formatted my drive C and will attempt to install windows 7 again. If it does not work with the cleared RECOVERY partition i will attempt to disable the raid and make other changes mentioned. Thanks again for the suupport, i will keep you all filled in

 

[SIW2]

Si, I believe it's to give users the largest possible OS drive since most users don't want to bother with partitioning a second HD, and creating the second D data drive is a relatively new approach by OEM's.

I reinstalled to a Dell in RAID mode once without even knowing I'd done so. Only later when I saw the size on disk did I check to see it was two HD's.

Thanks Greg,

You see a lot more oem machines than I - so I am sure you are right.

I am not convinced it is a good idea.

 

[DeLeet]

even with the cleared RECOVERY partition, the computer shuts down after the Welcome! with some error, but restarted and after restarting it loaded windows 7 perfectly. Did not need to touch the RAID....thank again for the advice people