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Question

Trouble Installing any Microsoft Operating System

by Jun 14, 2016 6:28PM PDT

Hello, first let me start by saying that I am not a rookie/noob. I have been repairing PC's and laptops, hardware and software for at least 15 years. I recently ran into a problem that I have not been able to figure out the cause of. My Mother-In-Law sent me her laptop (Older model but still ran decent for what she uses it for) for repair. It's a Compaq Presario CQ61-411WM. She had recently updated to Windows 7 Ultimate by someone else and it seemed to work fine. However he had only upgraded, leaving all her personal stuff on there (not formatted and a fresh install). So, she was basically still having the same problems as she did with her Vista, but now with Windows 7. She asked me to format it and install a fresh clean copy of Windows 7. I wiped the drive clean, formatted the drive to NTFS, It's a 500gb hard drive, completely wiped. I set up the partitions, and started a fresh install of Win7 Ultimate (my copy). Everything seemed to be going fine, routine install. About 68% into installing the OS, it freezes. I tried several times to install, using 3 to 4 different versions and disks of Win7. None worked. I even tried using a USB to install. Nada. I tried checking hard drive for errors and found none. I then tried putting Vista on it. Same result at around 71% this time. I checked my install disks, all are perfect with no scratches. I tried Windows 8, then 10. Same result. Even went and tried XP. Nothing. To test the integrity of the drive, I decided to try Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu installed perfectly. No problems. I scanned the drive for errors using Ubuntu. Nothing wrong. Found no problems with it at all and Ubuntu was flawless. She did not want a Linux install though and repeated her want and need for Win7. So I tried again. Same steps... same result. What am I missing?

Discussion is locked

17 Posts
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Answer
Just My Way Of Doing Things Here.....
by Forum moderator Jun 14, 2016 6:55PM PDT

I NEVER format the drive and set up partitions separately before I use the Win7 installation disk. Instead, I boot from the Win7 disc, allow it to find the hard drive and various partitions, then I select the options to eliminate all the partitions, create a new single partition and format using the Win7 disk. After the format is done, then Windows 7 installs on its own.

Did you try it this way? It sounds like you use a different program/tool to partition and format.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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I do
by Sefton23 Jun 14, 2016 7:34PM PDT

I did use the Windows Install disk to format, until I couldn't get anything to install. Then I tried several others. Nothing I used made a difference, Windows OS's will not install. Any other ideas? I am all out of ideas and have a very upset Mother-In-Law Sad

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Answer
There's a clue!
by Forum moderator Jun 14, 2016 7:55PM PDT

" I set up the partitions, and started a fresh install "

That's how I see windows installs fail and folk explode. Try it my way. NO PARTITIONS. Boot the W7 install DVD and do not partition. W7's installer will partition and format for us.

After that you have drivers and a few apps to install. Some folk are also tripped up by helper apps that turn on WiFi and more. Those are up at hp.com for your model.

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(NT) I did.... its written further down in the thread
by Sefton23 Jun 17, 2016 12:45PM PDT
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Replies are not in Chrono order.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 17, 2016 12:49PM PDT

It appears this machine has something broken. When you see one like this and you've ruled out the cracks, BIOS defaults and more you swap in a HDD for a test run.

I don't see what SATA port the HDD is on yet.

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Answer
Maybe
by Jun 15, 2016 9:29AM PDT

she was basically still having the same problems as she did with her Vista, but now with Windows 7.

Perhaps this is an indication of a hardware fault?

Grab a copy of memtest 86 and let it run for a couple of hours.
No errors allowed.

Grab a copy of dban and over write the disk...one pass.

Try to install w7.

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Thanks for this.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 15, 2016 9:38AM PDT

I had some trouble with a GPT disk setup and had to DBAN it to get going again. It's pretty rare but does happen.

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I agree
by Steven Haninger Jun 15, 2016 10:55AM PDT

I've seen a windows installation fail over and over at approximately the same point. Memtest found a fault in one module and replacing the bad RAM allowed in installation to complete. As best I can figure, it was when that particular memory location was first used the machine would lock. Because the installation uses the same sequences every time and the fault was repeatable, bad memory makes sense. An installation of Linux might never use that part of the RAM so would happily complete.

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Tried :(
by Sefton23 Jun 16, 2016 3:16PM PDT

Okay, I deleted all partitions, then I ran Memtest86+, ran for 5 hours, found nothing. Ran DBAN, wiped disk. Then after it said, nothing is wrong with the HD, and was completely clean of anything, I tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate again.... letting it partition the disk as it wanted to..... same result. Any other ideas?

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Now it sounds like a hardware issue.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 16, 2016 3:24PM PDT

Does a Linux install and run?

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Or the Windows 7 is not what it seems.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 16, 2016 3:56PM PDT
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yes
by Sefton23 Jun 16, 2016 5:01PM PDT

Yes, Linux runs great (all versions). I have tried many versions of Windows, such as XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. Most my original disks, however I tried at least 2 pirated versions just to see if I could get them to install. They all freeze at almost the same spot, every time.

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That tells me it's hardware.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 16, 2016 9:56PM PDT

It doesn't tell us what part though. Did you try another HDD?

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PS. A long shot.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 16, 2016 9:57PM PDT

Which SATA port is the HDD on?

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More maybe
by Bob__B Jun 16, 2016 9:00PM PDT

Plug in a spare hdd and see if that will install the new OS.

If it does then go back to the original hdd and look into hdderase.
Put the iso on some external media and boot it up....run a pass.
Try to install the OS.

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Answer
Try again...
by Jun 16, 2016 8:02AM PDT

I would definetly try another HD just to get out of this reload loop.

Anyways, if no other HD, then do a complete HD wipe, not just format. Why, when I use a HD cleaner like DBAN or KILLDISK(both freeware), it truly gets rid of all the install gunk that may reside and isn't apparent, it just "is". Once the HD is wiped as above, then use the MS install disk to reload again, and if possible the whole HD as one partition alone. If it still fails then you have some h/w issue, which is why I mentioned a different HD. If not the HD then the i/o card or port is being tasked and falters. The other posters offered possible cures as well, but I tend to lean on a probable bad HD, since the problem has around during actual prior usage and trying to get away from it. Heat is a possible issue as well, being that old and continued use of old components is showing it age, possibly.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Need more ideas
by Sefton23 Jun 16, 2016 5:02PM PDT

Okay, I deleted all partitions, then I ran Memtest86+, ran for 5 hours, found nothing. Ran DBAN, wiped disk. Then after it said, nothing is wrong with the HD, and was completely clean of anything, I tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate again.... letting it partition the disk as it wanted to..... same result. Any other ideas?

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