Can't intall Windows 7

[Nivekious]

I'm trying to install Windows 7 on a self-built pc (just replaced all my old hard drives with 3 Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS's, all blank), and I keep getting the error message "Could not prepare your computer for the next step of installation" when it reaches the "completing installation" step. I read that this means I need to delete and format the hard drive partition that I'm installing to, but I don't have that option, only load drivers, and drivers of any kind for the HDD don't seem to exist. I get the error in the same place on all three drives. On my last working old Seagate drive, it shows other options (format, delete, ect.) but I don't want to use that drive since it's on its last legs. Any ideas on how to get it to install on the new drives?

[MaxRat]

do the ram test from the install DVD...I'll bet you're having ram issues...make sure you're not overclocked and try it with 1 stick of ram...

[Nivekious]

No luck. RAM check came back with no errors, and I'm still getting the same error message. I did manage to get the HDDs to format (option was just there after my last reboot, still no idea why) but it didn't take care of the issue. Really don't understand why I would have the problem with all three drives, they're listed as compatible with 7.

[daor79]

Originally Posted by Nivekious I'm trying to install Windows 7 on a self-built pc (just replaced all my old hard drives with 3 Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS's, all blank), and I keep getting the error message "Could not prepare your computer for the next step of installation" when it reaches the "completing installation" step. I read that this means I need to delete and format the hard drive partition that I'm instaling to, but I don't have that option, only load drivers, and drivers of any kind for the HDD don't seem to exist. I get the error in the same place on all three drives. On my last working old Seagate drive, it shows other options (format, delete, ect.) but I don't want to use that drive since it's on its last legs. Any ideas on how to get it to install on the new drives?

Is it possible your DVD drive may have a problem reading the disc? Just to prove that the DISC itself is healthy, can you try to boot that disc from another computer's DVD drive? If it can boot to the Setup , the diagnosis is a faulty DVD drive that is made to boot first in BIOS Setup of the "problem PC " and the fix becomes obvious.

[Nivekious]

I'll give it a shot, but it boots fine initially. Booting from the disc I get all the way through the installation up to "completing installation" and then it fails, presumably when it tries to reboot.

[pally01]

Did you already have 7 installed on your old hard drive? The reason I ask is that I got the same errors you are getting now when I installed the RC months ago. Turns out I was using an DVI video connection during the install and the video card drivers were not compatible with Windows 7. I had to switch to a VGA cable and the installation finally completed properly. Just a thought...

[pam123]

Disconnect the other hard drives, leave only the one you will use for the 'C' drive.
If you have a usb card reader installed disconnect that as well.
The only drives connected should be the optical as boot drive, the floppy if you still use one, and the HDD you will use for 'C'.
Can you partition/format and install now?

[Nivekious]

I'll try these suggestions out when i get home, thanks. On the topic of the DVI vs VGA connections, I'm currently using an EVGA 780i motherboard, and a GTX 280 video card, so I have two VGA connectors through the video card, and nothing through the motherboard. I am currently using one of these connectors, with a DVI adapter. Should I remove the adapter and change cables, or would the fact that I am still going through the video card cause the problem to persist if those drivers are what is causing the issue? Also, I have a PCI wireless card currently installed. Should I remove that as well or will I need an internet connection for the "installing updates" phase of the installation?

[pam123]

Let the monitor connection alone, that has nothing to do with drivers for your HDD.

If you don't want to use the old drive then pull it now and reconnect it later to get the data from it.

Just 1 HDD, and get your motherboard manual out.
That board has support for RAID arrays and it sounds like your new collection of drives resulted in it's attempted set up, thus the request for drives.

[MaxRat]

Here is a one I ran into....

If you do NOT have a floppy drive...disable it in the bios and also take it out of the Boot Order...for some reason 7 will hang or error looking for the floppy...

I set boot order to CD/DVD and disable all the others...after the install is complete I switch it back to Hard Drive....all others still disabled...

[Slaander]

1. which version window 7 you using? Retail, RC, Oem, Factory Oem, Factory upgrade, Etc

2. did you flash the bios to latest rev?

3. did you do the Windows 7 Compatibility check?

[Nivekious]

Well I got it. It was the dualband wireless card causing the issue (which I suppose I should have thought of considering when I first got it Vista refused to boot with it inserted until I had installed its drivers from the disc first). Also to answer the last poster's question, it's the 64-bit Professional edition which I downloaded through a MSDNAA program and burned to DVD.

[pam123]

Good job.

Let us know how Windows 7 works with your wireless setup.