Solved Windows install failed, can't repair

[TenTonApe]

So my computer went from running perfectly fine to barely functional in a day. So I decided to reformat and reinstall. The plan was a complete reset. Factory defaults. So I backed up my stuff. Loaded up the install disk, formatted both my drives, combined some partitions and installed windows. Now this was a mistake, because I wound up with two windows 7 installs (it's been a while since I last did this, I forgot the steps). But whatever, I'll load it up, remove the second install. But every time I try to load either windows copy I get the error:


Windows Boot Manager

Windows failed to start.

A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.

2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."

3. Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance

File: \Windows\system32\winload.exe

Status: 0xc000000f Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt

*sigh* alright lets repair. However Startup repair cannot repair either install automatically. So I did some research and was told to make a few command prompt calls to restore default windows boot files however, despite my keyboard working enough to get me to the startup disk, the command prompt won't accept any key presses. Also any restart fails to start back up, I have to completely shut down and boot up.

So where do I go from here? What steps should I follow?

 

[Gator]

First off, you should never install anything with multiple drives connected. Remove all drives/usbs from your system and leave only the hard drive you want to install Windows 7 on plugged in. (You can either disable the drive in BIOS or you can open the PC and physically unplug the extra hard drives.) After that, follow the steps in the tutorial below to perform a perfect install. At this point, its best to just start over. Since you have backups already, this should be easy.

Proceed with step one in the following turotial. Keep in mind, only step 1 is necessary. If you wish to move on to further steps, you can but its not mandatory)
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

Now follow this guide to create a perfect install
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Complete these tasks and report back.

 

[TenTonApe]

Proceed with step one in the following turotial. Keep in mind, only step 1 is necessary. If you wish to move on to further steps, you can but its not mandatory)
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

I can't do step one, I can't boot windows to get to command prompt there and the command prompt in system recovery doesn't accept any key input.

EDIT: It seems my keyboard isn't working at all as I selected load drivers and got the windows dialog, and I can't type at all there. I'm using a wireless keyboard and I don't own a wired keyboard. Do I have to get my hands on one?

 

[Gator]

Proceed with step one in the following turotial. Keep in mind, only step 1 is necessary. If you wish to move on to further steps, you can but its not mandatory)
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

I can't do step one, I can't boot windows to get to command prompt there and the command prompt in system recovery doesn't accept any key input. Edit it seems my keyboard isn't working at all as I selected load drivers and got the windows dialog, and I can't type at all there. I'm using a wireless keyboard and I don't own a wired keyboard. Do I have to get my hands on one?

Yes I would say get a keyboard that you know works. Are you able to boot into your BIOS with that keyboard?

This may help with part 1 of the link
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/119713-diskpart-pc-startup.html

 

[TenTonApe]

Proceed with step one in the following turotial. Keep in mind, only step 1 is necessary. If you wish to move on to further steps, you can but its not mandatory)
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

I can't do step one, I can't boot windows to get to command prompt there and the command prompt in system recovery doesn't accept any key input. Edit it seems my keyboard isn't working at all as I selected load drivers and got the windows dialog, and I can't type at all there. I'm using a wireless keyboard and I don't own a wired keyboard. Do I have to get my hands on one?

Yes I would say get a keyboard that you know works.

Alright, I'll have to go buy a wired keyboard. Give me an hour or two.

 

[Gator]

I can't do step one, I can't boot windows to get to command prompt there and the command prompt in system recovery doesn't accept any key input. Edit it seems my keyboard isn't working at all as I selected load drivers and got the windows dialog, and I can't type at all there. I'm using a wireless keyboard and I don't own a wired keyboard. Do I have to get my hands on one?

Yes I would say get a keyboard that you know works.

Alright, I'll have to go buy a wired keyboard. Give me an hour or two.

Make sure you read my last post, I updated it after you quoted me. There is a link that will help.

 

[TenTonApe]

Yes I would say get a keyboard that you know works.

Alright, I'll have to go buy a wired keyboard. Give me an hour or two.

Make sure you read my last post, I updated it after you quoted me. There is a link that will help.

I can get into my BIOS and I've booted to the disk from it, but I can't use my keyboard there. Can I clear my drive through my BIOS?

 

[Gator]

Alright, I'll have to go buy a wired keyboard. Give me an hour or two.

Make sure you read my last post, I updated it after you quoted me. There is a link that will help.

I can get into my BIOS and I've booted to the disk from it, but I can't use my keyboard there. Can I clear my drive through my BIOS?

No its best to do that with your disc. Get a known good corded keyboard and try that.

 

[TenTonApe]

Make sure you read my last post, I updated it after you quoted me. There is a link that will help.

I can get into my BIOS and I've booted to the disk from it, but I can't use my keyboard there. Can I clear my drive through my BIOS?

No its best to do that with your disc. Get a known good corded keyboard and try that.

I'm heading out soon to buy one. USB or PS2?

 

[Gator]

usb unless you have some reason to believe your USB ports are not working.

 

[gregrocker]

Do you have all USB listings in BIOS setup enabled? This may make your wireless keyboard work, and will be needed for a USB keyboard. PS2 keyboards are too old now to buy a new one.

Next, always delete all partitions during the booted install to get the install cleanest, creating/formatting new partitions as you wish to choose the first one for install, or just choosing Next to let the installer create it for you and begin.

As stated its best to have only one HD plugged in so the boot manager doesn't wind up on the other one as can happen.

Other tips here to assure you get and keep a perfect Clean Reinstall Windows 7. A million users have used this tutorial without a single complaint or return with problems if they stick with only the tools and methods given.

And to Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[TenTonApe]

Sorry for taking so long, I just got back home, wired keyboard worked great. HOWEVER I ran into a bug that's been plaguing me since the problems started. My computer won't boot on a restart. If I turn the computer off and back on, boots fine every time however if I simply restart the computer (like is required by the windows installation) it fails every time. So I can't finish my windows installation. I pulled my bios battery hoping that would help, but that didn't change anything. I went through the recovery utility and ran startup repair but it couldn't find anything. For more details what occurs is my monitors go to power saving mode, the computer revs up but the monitors don't come back on, the motherboard gigabyte GA-Z77x-UD3H LED error code is at A0: IDE initialization is started. Which usually means everything is going fine. I've left in for over a while to boot and it never boots normally.

 

[gregrocker]

At what which step during Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums
does this happen?

Is there a newer BIOS version? Did you reset BIOS to defaults? Did you set SATA controller to AHCI?

Did you wipe the disk with Clean command to clear old boot code?

 

[TenTonApe]

At what which step during Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums
does this happen?

Is there a newer BIOS version? Did you reset BIOS to defaults? Did you set SATA controller to AHCI?

Did you wipe the disk with Clean command to clear old boot code?

I was following Gators steps. I'll look into your guide tomorrow.

 

[TenTonApe]

At what which step during Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums
does this happen?

Is there a newer BIOS version? Did you reset BIOS to defaults? Did you set SATA controller to AHCI?

Did you wipe the disk with Clean command to clear old boot code?

Step 7.10.

There is a new BIOS version (as I reset my BIOS) but without being able to boot to windows I don't know how to upgrade it. Yes. Yes.

The computer never boots from the final restart. I'm sitting here, the fans are spinning but the monitors aren't coming on and the computers not making any noises to imply that it's doing anything.

 

[gregrocker]

Answer all questions.

Do not skip any steps.

 

[TenTonApe]

Answer all questions.

Do not skip any steps.

I didn't skip any steps.

EDIT: Yes I cleaned the drive.

 

[TenTonApe]

So what do I do now? Followed the guide from step 1 to step 7.10 and my computer won't restart in order to complete the windows install.

 

[gregrocker]

Test your hard drive and RAM using boot disks from Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

Did you have this problem with reboots at all before?

Where did you get the Win7 installation media? How is the disk or flash stick created exactly? If using disk, try flash stick method and vice versa. Clean Reinstall Windows 7

Is this a home build? Did you built it yourself? If so go over all the connections to make sure they are secure. Unplug DVD drive to try flash stick install. Try another hard drive.

 

[TenTonApe]

I found another forum saying to try pulling your graphics card and devastatingly enough that worked. I just successfully installed windows, and restarted. I was hoping it would be the RAM (terrified it might be the motherboard) but it's the graphics card. I'm gonna mark this thread as solved.