Problems with reinstalling windows

Question

Question

Problems with reinstalling windows

by Ty-sun May 3, 2018 5:41PM PDT

Hi, I just joined here because I need help with a problem. I am trying to format and reinstall window on my old Dell Optiplex computer that is running Windows 7. I have successfully reinstalled Windows on this computer before. However, this time, I am having problems.
When i try running my Windows 7 disk from the desktop, I get a "windows installer has stopped working" message.
When I boot from the disk, I get a a message on windows boot manager that says the following:

Windows has encountered a problem communicating with a device connected to your computer

This errror can be caused by unplugging a removable storage device suce as an external USBdrive while the device is in use, or by faulty hardware such as a hard drive or CD-ROM drive that is failing. Make sure any removable storage is connected and then restart your computer.

If you receive this error message, contact the hardware manufacturer.

Status: 0xc00000e9
Info: An unexpected I/O error has occurred.

After getting this message, I created a bootable USB device to install windows 7. With the USB, I can get just a little further, but I soon get another different error page saying:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1. Insert your Windows installation disk and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."
3. Click "Repair your computer."

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

File: /windows/system32/config/system
Status:0xc0000098
Info: Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing, or corrupt.

When I boot Windows normally, there is no problem. I wouldn't even be aware there is a problem if I didn't want to reinstall windows. As I said before, I have successfully reinstalled windows on this computer before. The only thing I can think of that might have caused this is that I tried to install a video card on that computer recently (which didn't work) and tried also to replace the hard drive with I slightly bigger hard drive I had laying around (which also didn't work, because that hard drive didn't work anymore.) The video card is removed and the original hard drive is back in.

Solutions that I've tried but didn't work:
As I said above, I tried to boot from a USB in case it was the DVD-ROM that was the problem.
I tried to scan the computer for missing or corrupt windows files using the command prompt command "SFC /SCANNOW". It found no problems.
I error-checked the computer hard drive.
I also defragmented the hard drive although I didn't expect it the solve anything. I was at my wits-end at that point.
I did some searching online for similar problems and solutions.

That's pretty much my case. Just two more quick notes: I'm pretty sure my windows disk isn't the problem, since I only just reinstalled windows on another computer just a few days ago. And two, for any solution that requires me to change BIOS settings, keep in mind that setup in locked and I don't know the password. Its a pretty old computer that I got second hand but so far, I haven't had reason to change BIOS settings.

Discussion is locked

11 Posts

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Clarification Request

Let's hear why the reinstall.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 3, 2018 5:47PM PDT

I usually find a failed drive was the cause. We then have to try a new drive.

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Reason for reinstalling

by Ty-sun May 3, 2018 6:01PM PDT

I'm trying to reinstall for two reasons. First, its only an 80gb hard drive and the past two times that windows has been reinstalled, the hard drive wasn't formatted. That means there are three windows folders on the drive taking up space; two old windows folders, and the current one. Reason two is that I was planning on giving that computer to a friend who is looking for a computer to use. I wanted all my junk deleted and all my accounts and passwords that I've saved while using it.

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The messages are consistent with failed drives.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 3, 2018 6:13PM PDT

80GB is bound to be very very old. One last try. Start with a blank HDD. Do not have any partitions on the drive when you start the install. USB installs are known to be either troublesome or fine. Since you had to try a new way I worry there is so old failing drives, either optical or HDD.

But try one more time with a blank HDD.

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I'll try that

by Ty-sun May 3, 2018 6:27PM PDT

Unfortunately, I don't have another drive around that I can use except the aforementioned drive that didn't work (which is suppose to be 160gb). I will be on the lookout for another hard drive but I was hoping I could solve the problem with this one since it seems to be working well otherwise. But if I can't, I can't.

One thing I haven't tried is inserting the hard drive into another computer and see if I have the same problems. I happen to have a slightly newer Dell Optiplex minitower and I wonder if its worth a try switching the hard drive to the other computer and trying to reinstall windows there?

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But did you start with a blank HDD?

by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 3, 2018 6:41PM PDT

If the drive had partitions and there were file system issues with the HDD beyond its age and such, you could see this problem.

W7 during install lets you delete all partitions, then select the entire drive so there's never a need for any other partition tool.

Another possible problem source is when the HDD isn't on the lowest numbered SATA port.

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I'm not quite sure how to do that

by Ty-sun May 3, 2018 6:46PM PDT

In any case, I can't get far enough into the windows install to do that. I'd probably need a tool of some sort.

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That's a very bad sign.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 3, 2018 6:53PM PDT

SInce we are booting off the USB or DVD it seems you have other than HDD woes.

Is there any clue about maintenance? Did it's owner not keep up with canned air? Maybe it's overheating during the Windows install routine?

No. No other tool is required for the blank HDD.

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I don't know about the original owner maintenance but...

by Ty-sun May 3, 2018 7:05PM PDT

I've owned the computer for a couple years now.
There is a difference when booting from USB and DVD though. With the DVD, the error comes right at the beginning while loading windows files. With the USB, the error comes after loading windows files while windows is starting. And of course the error message is completely different.

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This points to hardware, not software issues.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 3, 2018 7:14PM PDT

Unless you have a different Windows. Sometimes folk go get a pirate crack copy and it all goes south.

The errors from DVD sound like optical drive errors.

About your maintenance. Canned air to the fans and heatsinks. Since the optical is not working, then a CD/DVD lens clearner is a good idea. The machine if the OS is legit and good is telling you it has issues. You know if the machine was BSODing, locking up so you know more than what is told here.

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...

by Ty-sun May 3, 2018 7:37PM PDT

No, I haven't used canned air. I'm a little mad at myself for not doing that. I will try and clean it tomorrow. And I don't remember the last time that computer was BSODing. In any case, this discussion has also given me a few more ideas to try. If I can't get it to work, I'll see if I can get Linux to install. Thanks for the help.

Back to Computer Help forum

Bob__B · Answer 1 · May 3, 2018 8:16PM PDT

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Answer

W7 install

by Bob__B May 3, 2018 8:16PM PDT

Do you have anything else on a disc that's bootable?

If so boot it up and see if that works.

If not grab a copy of memtest86 and put it on a disc.

Boot it up and let it run for a hour..........no errors allowed.

Btw.....there is a difference between disk and disc.
If you use the wrong word folks have to guess what your talking about.

Problems with reinstalling windows

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