Windows 7 Boot Issue

Hi all.

I'm setting up a win 7 system on an older (Sempron based XPC Cube) system for a neighbour. They don't need an internet connection or anything sophisticated so there should be no problem.

However, I've hit on an odd problem. When I load the Win 7 installation disc, I get the Loading temporary files timer, followed by the Starting windows icon, and after this the Windows 7 desktop screen appears, but it's bare, with no dialogue boxes to continue installation.

I've used a genuine Win 7 SP0 disc and tried again with an SP1 that I created from Microsofts downloadable iso. I've also tried running a Win 7 based PE environment disc (that works on other systems) and get exactly the same issue. I just get a bare Win 7 desktop theme and no activity on the PC.

I should point out that I have reset the BIOS to its default settings but it makes no difference to the problem.

This is clearly a System issue (or system software issue), but I can't think what to do.

Any advice links or help of any kind would be appreciated.

Sark

PS.. I can install Win XP if I want, so this relates to Win 7 specifically.

 

The desktop should not appear during setup, it sounds like Win 7 is already installed but not booting. You should format the hard disk and start again.

 

No Win 7 installation installed. It's not the desktop, just the background theme. This should include an Install Now dialogue, but nothing appears.

Sark

 

Are you attempting to install the OS with, or without an internet connection?

ie....Has windows activation been successful?

 

It is possible that the hard drive may have a faulty sector,in the first part of the hard drive.
I suggest using a working computer and a caddy/docking station to look at the hard drive in another computer.
I found that XP would install on a dodgy drive, but W7 can be very fussy.
If you run a hard drive scan on another computer, as I indicated above you may find a dodgy sector, or,more in the early part of the hard drive.
When I came across similr problems, like this, I used Partition Wizard to check the hard drive, and when bad sectors found, I created a small partition of at least a GB at the start of the hard drive, than made this hidden -all using Partition Wizard, then created a new partition for the the rest of the harddrive. I then formatted and made that partition active -all using partition Wizard, and set up Windows on that partition
https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/minitool_partition_wizard_home_edition.html

 

Firstly, I don't get to the activation screen. It fails after the grey timer bar loads temporary files and the Windows is loading screen appears.
The link below shows the install steps. I get to the Ninth image down, but without (language to install) dialogue box in the middle of the screen, just the blue background and my cursor.

https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Windows-7-(Beginners)

Hard drive failure is not an issue as I have two drives, but don't get to the option to install on my chosen partition.
Did use PW to check though. No issues. Incidentally, I have a bootable PW and it boots just fine. Also, I've used a workaround to install. I used a PE environment (Barts Win XP PE) and extracted the setup files to a temp partition. It then installed from here. Just won't proceed using discs. Nor will a Win 7 PE proceed beyond the same point... Strange... I'm putting it down to a system hardware incompatibility issue.

Thanks for the responses.

Sark

 

Have you tried installing from usb ? ,
The Aomi method might be useful as you can install similarly to (I read)the no longer supported BartWindows XP pe
https://www.aomeitech.com/pebuilder/tutorials/create-custom-windows-7-pe-image-1004.html
I am pleased to see you checked the drives.
Just a thought- Did you mean that you have two partitions on one hard drive, or, two separate hard drives?

 

The dialogue box might be off the screen? Might be a resolution issue you might only be seeing a fraction of the screen? Does the cursor start in the middle of the screen or do you mouse around to find it? Use NTLite and make an unattened install?

 

Two drives with multiple partitions.

I have Aomei PE Builder. It is how I created the Win 7 PE (dvd) that suffers the same issue. I tried creating a Win 7 PE for USB but I can't get that to boot. The BIOS doesn't have a USB (HDD) option, just USB (Zip), USB (Fdd) or USB (cdrom). Haven't tried installing the setup files on a USB though, but doubt I could boot it. Will try it tonight.

The cursor ends up in the middle of the screen. I did consider this, but I'm sure its just missing.

My guess is this is a Win 7 CD/DVD disk drive issue. Might try replacing the Disk drive.

Sark

 

Tried all available options to no avail. Don't think there is a sub directory for the HDD option, but will double check.

I would think it should boot from a suitable USB 2 stick. I've discovered some USB 2 drivers for the unit I have. Will give that a go and see if it works.

Sark.