Windows 7 won't boot

[Gcd89]

BTW, nobody use paragon. It takes hours/days and and can't even read half of the files you hope to backup anyway.

 

[gregrocker]

In spite of the Disk Check results, it is best now to also test the HD surface condition using the maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan. If there isn't one you can use the CD for Partition Wizard Partition surface test. Hiren’s BootCD 15.1 also has many of the maker's diagnostics bootable scans as well as Partition Wizard. You can also run Hiren's BootCD From USB Flash Drive (Pen Drive) » www.hiren.info

 

[Gcd89]

So, i managed to save most of my stuff, and i'm wanting to do a clean install of W7.

But the directions posted here (earlier in the thread) are a bit vague. Evidently, i need to go to Windows 7 store (or something) to burn an ISO file to a DVD-R. But i have 2 questions regarding that...

1. Is it free? the tutorial on this site doesn't mention prices or cost
2. Is it product key sensitive? i'm going to have to do this on my father's computer, so will the ISO I burn be tied to his product key somehow?

 

[gregrocker]

The installer for the licensed version on the Samsung which you already own for the life of the PC is in Step 1 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7, with the tool to burn to DVD or write to bootable flash stick in Step 2.

If you'd read the steps in the tutorial you will see exactly how to activate it with the Product Key on the COA sticker. What is vague about this exactly?

But your must first read to follow the steps in tutorial to get and keep a perfect install. Ask back if you have any further questions.

 

[Gcd89]

Ok, i'm currently at the point where it's asking me where to install windows 7 and it's showing me partitions 1, 2, 3 and 4. 1 and 2 are labled RECOVERY and SYSTEM, respectively. The other two, 3 and 4, are empty.

i'm trying to do a total wipe here...which one of these do i delete? Or rather, which ones do i need to keep. From what I've read, i should delete all (and new ones will be created), but i just want to consult people here before i do it and potentially ruin something

 

[VistaKing]

Just to get an understanding of your partition setup . Does it look like this image ?

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/3302/capturejt.png

 

[Gcd89]

More like this, but with four partitions listed...from what i can tell, if i'm doing a total clean install, i don't need to keep any of them right?

 

[VistaKing]

If you have four partitions . If I Am right the setup is

Disk 0-Partition 1: System Reserved
Disk 0-Partition 2: Recovery
Disk 0-Partition 3: Windows
Disk 0-Partition 4: Local Disk

Choose Disk 0-Partition 3:Windows to install Windows .

 

[Gcd89]

If you have four partitions . If I Am right the setup is

Disk 0-Partition 1: System Reserved
Disk 0-Partition 2: Recovery
Disk 0-Partition 3: Windows
Disk 0-Partition 4: Local Disk

Choose Disk 0-Partition 3:Windows to install Windows .

Even if I'm doing a total wipe clean reinstall?

The other ones can go?

i'm trying to get back to 100% stock, clean reinstall

 

[VistaKing]

The System Reserved and Recovery partitions will not be deleted unless you delete them . Have you created the recovery discs ?

I'd personally remove the System Reserved partition . Where I'd have either one or two partitions .

Is there any data on the fourth partition ?
To check on the screen where it asks where you want to install windows hit these keys Shift+F10 that will open up a command prompt . Once the command prompt comes up type in notepad.exe . When notepad opens up click on File then Open . You'll then be able to look at the partitions C :\ and D:\ ( fourth partition )

 

[Gcd89]

The System Reserved and Recovery partitions will not be deleted unless you delete them . Have you created the recovery discs ?

I'd personally remove the System Reserved partition . Where I'd have either one or two partitions .

Ugh, i guess i have no idea what I'm doing here.

i'm trying to start from scratch. so what should i keep and remove? Why do I have two empty partitions anyway? What about all my old files/programs, where are they, i want to get rid of them? i want to start from scratch, so shouldn't i delete all partitions? i don't get it.

 

[VistaKing]

The System Reserved and Recovery partitions will not be deleted unless you delete them . Have you created the recovery discs ?

I'd personally remove the System Reserved partition . Where I'd have either one or two partitions .

Ugh, i guess i have no idea what I'm doing here.

i'm trying to start from scratch. so what should i keep and remove? Why do I have two empty partitions anyway? What about all my old files/programs, where are they, i want to get rid of them? i want to start from scratch, so shouldn't i delete all partitions? i don't get it.

If you delete the C drive which is where your Windows installation is and programs will be deleted . Meaning you would have to reinstall everything including the software .

 

[Gcd89]

The System Reserved and Recovery partitions will not be deleted unless you delete them . Have you created the recovery discs ?

I'd personally remove the System Reserved partition . Where I'd have either one or two partitions .

Ugh, i guess i have no idea what I'm doing here.

i'm trying to start from scratch. so what should i keep and remove? Why do I have two empty partitions anyway? What about all my old files/programs, where are they, i want to get rid of them? i want to start from scratch, so shouldn't i delete all partitions? i don't get it.

If you delete the C drive which is where your Windows installation is and programs will be deleted . Meaning you would have to reinstall everything including the software .

i'm still totally lost.

none of them are labled by letter, first of all.

Secondly, i'm trying to do a TOTAL clean reinstall. So, i'm trying to ask what is on each one. i don't want to delete something and ruin everything.

Third, why do i have two partitions with nothing on them? where are all my old files?

i'm just totally lost here. what do i do to perform a clean reinstall? I feel like we're getting communications crossed here?

Do i keep anything? What am i supposed to do if i want to do a clean install?

 

[gregrocker]

Did you back up your files? Obviously if you want to wipe everything you must back up your files first.

It explains everything that needs backing up so nothing is forgotten in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Step 9 shows how to rescue your files from unbootable Win7.

Then delete all partitions as shown in the screenshot, create New as you wish and format all, highlight the first partition after System Reserved to install upon.

If you only want one partition then what you see should be similar to here:

Then click Next to install. Read over the steps carefully in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to make sure you handle everything else correctly, especially drivers.

 

[VistaKing]

If you want you could do this . Press SHIFT + F10 . A command Prompt window will come up.


The command prompt opens to C:\Windows\System32>_

:note: : Press < ENTER > after every command


Type DISKPART


Type LIST DISK


Type SELECT DISK 0



Type CLEAN ( this will wipe all of the partitions )


Type CREATE PRIMARY PARTITION


Type SELECT PARTITION 1


Type ACTIVE ( this will make the partition bootable )


Type FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="Windows" QUICK



Type ASSIGN LETTER=C

Type Exit ( this will exit Diskpart )

Type Exit ( this will close the command prompt )

Press REFRESH on the screen where it asks where you want to install Windows . Choose Disk 0-Partition 1: Windows(C:\) and click on Next .

 

[Gcd89]

Did you back up your files? Obviously if you want to wipe everything you must back up your files first.

It explains everything that needs backing up so nothing is forgotten in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Step 9 shows how to rescue your files from unbootable Win7.

Then delete all partitions as shown in the screenshot, create New as you wish and format all, highlight the first partition after System Reserved to install upon.

If you only want one partition then what you see should be similar to here:

Then click Next to install. Read over the steps carefully in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to make sure you handle everything else correctly, especially drivers.

this whole thing is just sooo aggravating. Now it's just sitting on the partition screen and that's it. i can't even click anything, because i just have the blue circle cursor. Hopefully it doesn't freeze here permanently. It wasn't like that before, but i clicked "refresh" just to make sure it worked, and evidently it doesn't because now i just have the blue circle.

A) Yes, i backed up. Mentioned it earlier in the thread.
B) So you're saying delete all except for the "RESERVED" one, and then create a new one, and install on that?

 

[gregrocker]

No, delete all partitions. It will recreate the System Reserved for you so that it functions and isn't just dead space as it would be if you save it from the old install.

Are you sure you booted the installer and are not running it from crippled Win7?

If you are getting a hang in boot mode then perhaps we should help you test the hardware first. Have you tested the HD test I posted for you earlier? If you boot Hiren’s BootCD 15.1
it will have HD tests and memtest to test your RAM. RAM - Test with Memtest86+

 

[VistaKing]

The System Reserved partition just stores the boot files . It's technically not needed unless you will be using bit locker . You could format that partition if possible . If you want you could so what I posted on Post #35 . That will wipe everything and create only one partition labeled " Windows " and have the letter C .

 

[AddRAM]

Here`s another guide to help you along.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[Gcd89]

No, delete all partitions. It will recreate the System Reserved for you so that it functions and isn't just dead space as it would be if you save it from the old install.

Are you sure you booted the installer and are not running it from crippled Win7?

If you are getting a hang in boot mode then perhaps we should help you test the hardware first. Have you tested the HD test I posted for you earlier? If you boot Hiren’s BootCD 15.1
it will have HD tests and memtest to test your RAM. RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Yeah, it was just taking a long time.

Now I just have one called "unallocated space". Will I have to create a new one? It says i can't install windows to the "unallocated space" one...I think that's a really bad sign, huh? when i click "show details" it says the disk may fail soon?? But i don't see how that's possible, every check i've run on the disk says no problems?

when i clicked "unallocated space" the "next" button lit up, so i attempted to try anyway, and it seems to be wrking now. it says "installing windows", etc.