Windows 7 install error

Known issue ...during the setup press shift + F10 ... you will get the cmd window....type devmgmt.msc. This will launch device manager. Disable graphics card driver and then continue with the setup. After completing the setup go to the manufacturer website and install latest graphics card driver.




Ded9

Another suggestion that works about half the time is to go to the BIOS and set AHCI to compatibility mode. See if the install completes and the you can go back and change AHCI to its original setting.

... Thinkpads_User

ded9:  disabling the video adapter did not help.  Went ahead and disabled the camera and network cards.  No help.

thinkpads_user:  The SATA config in the bios only showed two options "ACHI" and "IDE".
Setting the SATA config to IDE just caused the system to blue-screen on boot.

I think both of you are right its a driver issue, but which one.
How much can I disable ?

Thanks

Restore the sata setting back ...when you get the error starting services...boot the computer and tap F8 key. Now select enable low res mode and continue with the install.


Ded9

Tapped F8 several times during startup, but it did not let me have safe-mode.
but I don't get the msgbox, Now I have "Setup is stating services" w/some animation.
I see the HD led flash once in while, how long do I give it ?

Something else I can do ?

Download vanilla copy of windows 7 ...burn it  and then try installing

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/i-do-not-have-windows-7-media-but-i-do-have-my/5ce13741-ac25-4969-ae82-2494726aac1c


You can get it  from the above link...make sure you choose the right version...use the product key that is on the back of the laptop.



Ded9

OR

Get the log files by holding down shift + F10 during setup

X:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther\setuperr.log


Ref
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927521

Upload the files here.




Ded9

Another possibility is memory. See this Acer Community Forums thread that suggests memory can be a problem (and less likely, a flaw in the motherboard - would not seem to apply here):

http://community.acer.com/t5/Notebooks-Netbooks/Acer-Aspire-5732Z-Screen-not-coming-on/td-p/3847

In terms of a source for drivers, you can look here at the Acer site:

http://www.official-drivers.com/installer/?seed=acer&gclid=CJyOrtqbvLkCFY1FMgodSAUAkA

... Thinkpads_User

Found this error file in: c:\windows\panther\unattendGC\

Notice the first error was in '09

why does it keep making reference to "On-Line registration" ?

Thanks
setuperr.log

There is (to the very best of my knowledge) no Windows program call Panther. This is a likely a virus and then could easily be a root kit virus (which are the devil to get rid of).

Can you put the drive in the computer, boot from another CD (Ultimate Boot CD for example) and delete all the partitions on the drive.

Then set AHCI to SATA and try again to install Windows 7.

... Thinkpads_User

This is a fresh install from the Vendor "ACER" CDs and has never booted, how would I get a virus ?

This page on MS shows it holds setup logs: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927521

Good point, and so I am probably wrong on the virus. But I have never seen any reference to panther either which is why I thought about virus. I saw one possible reference to that.

However, on a further search, I see in the Microsoft TechNet article below:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/hh241307.aspx

a reference to ignore sysprep dialogue box on reboot. There is a windows\panther folder in this section.

Is this Acer recovery DVD for your actual computer? or one that you made from the computer when it was working?

I wonder if somehow the recovery media is bad (this has most certainly happened before).

... Thinkpads_User

"...media is bad": I don't think so, I am rebuilding a PC after a virus got to it. Ordered fresh recovery CDs from ACER, booted from a util CD and cleared all partitions. Restored to original HD and worked, but did not pass a surface test. ( The disk has bad sectors ).  

Purchased a new drive from Tiger and installed, booted from Recovery CDs (fed it all 5) then final boot to start windows,  Err !!!
This is the 2nd attempt to install the new Western-Digital HD.

What's the difference ?

FYI, download of vanilla version of Windows is taking a long time. Over 1.5 hours and its at 53%.

I am rebuilding a PC after a virus got to it.

Thank you for that clarification. Root kit viruses can survive rebuilds; however, clearing all partitions should fix that.

Purchased a new drive from Tiger .....

It is possible for a new drive to be bad, but less likely.

Did you try a memory test as suggested earlier. This is a possibility given all the other things you have done. You can get memtest here:  http://www.memtest.org/  and put it on a bootable CD.

.... Thinkpads_User

I did a partial mem test and disk test after the re-install finished the first time.
That's when I found the bad sectors.

I thinking about two options:
1.) Close the working drive with bad sectors to the new drive.
2.) Let the vanilla version of the CD try to repair the install.

Any thoughts ?

1. Cloning a bad drive may clone the errors so be careful on this option.

2. See how that goes. It is worth a try.
... Thinkpads_User

Install the vanilla version of windows 7.

The setuperr.log that you have uploaded is not the one we want...


If the installation is almost done then the log file location is here

C:\WINDOWS\PANTHER\setuperr.log

 or

X:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther\setuperr.log


Install vanilla version of windows 7 and post results..make sure you download the right version.




Ded9

From: C:\WINDOWS\PANTHER\..
setuperr.log
setupact.log

Booted from the "Windows 7 Home Premium DVD", selected repair,
"The version of Windows that you have is not compatible with this version of ..."

Are you going to be able to tell me anything from the err file ?

Yes, but I was waiting for ded9 to review the log files and let me know if he sees a needle in the hay that would explain why this is so difficult.

Thanks

We know the first disk is bad, and you did a short test on memory. It is somewhat common to have to delete all partitions on a good disk to get an install to work.

Let's see what review of the log brings.
... Thinkpads_User

The setuperr.log should contain all the details regarding the setup but dont know why it has just two lines.

Looks like we dont have the right setuperr.log.

To resolve your issue boot from the vanilla version of windows 7(x86or 64) and install windows.




Ded9

Installed vanilla version of windows 7, all went well.
Except that it was asking for the windows SN off the back of the laptop.
The numbers are too warn to read accurately.  I can't tell "O"s from "Q"s and "I"s from "1"s.
I still have the original disk that is somewhat usable, can you recommend one of those SN extraction tools to recover the number ?

Attached is a text file containing all the locations that a "setupErr.log" was found.
I provided all the copies that were not empty.

I definitely think this was a driver error probably caused the replacement of the HD with a different brand. (why, I don't know enough about SATA drivers)

The previous drive contained a hidden folder C:\OEM\ that contained all the ACER branding apps. Ran the stuff I thought was not Adware and can't tell the difference.
Search-setup-log.txt

If it got installed then ignore the rest..

Install vmwareplayer free now ...then install windows 7 using the recovery disc inside the vm.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_vmware_player/ 

Run this tool inside the vm to recover the key

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/


free one







Ded9

Recover Keys also work and they have a trial version.

.... Thinkpads_User

Keyfinder found the key, but the activation app won't accept it.

"There is a problem with this key."  Its not even close to the key on the back of the laptop (the parts that I can read)

It shows a prompt advising you to call Microsoft or help.  How helpful will they be ?
Will they help me get it activated or try to sell me an activation key ?

Thanks

If the keys you have do not work, it is probably because Key Finder found an OEM key and that is why it did not work with your Windows 7 DVD.

You can call Microsoft to see if they will sort out your keys. They are usually helpful

If this was a fresh install after you deleted all partitions, the Windows 7 DVD should only look for the key that came with the DVD.

.... Thinkpads_User

Agree with Thinkpads_users.. contact microsoft with the part number that you see on the back of the computer.

The part number start with x10-xxx something similiar ..they might help you with the new key.



Ded9

Microsoft Chat was not much help, they did state the key was misspelled, but did not know which part. Tech stated that they could only pull up keys that MS issued, not OEMs.

The ACER support page stated that the PC was out of warranty, provided no way to receive support other than there forums. (did post a question)

Looking around I did see several pages that have activators, but I don't know if I trust any of them.

Any ideas ?

You can try repair install with recovery disc from desktop. ...that should help.


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html



Ded9

But that would put back the drivers that would not boot ?

Repair Install will (in my experience) not replace existing drivers. It might, but I have not seen that.

If you have no valid key (worn off) and if Microsoft won't help, you may need to purchase a Windows 7 license. A number of places still sell them because Windows 7 is still being sold. That may be your only way forward.

... Thinkpads_User

Per sidwelle:   The numbers are too worn to read accurately

Acer makes consumer computers and the majority of consumer computers are designed to last 3 years.  It may be wiser on you part to simply get a new laptop. I notice Lenovo is putting important stickers under the battery so clearly some vendors have heard that the toilet paper they use for stickers wears off with careful use.

... Thinkpads_User

Try repair install...but first update display drivers.



Ded9

... get a new laptop ?   Really !   I have PCs around here that are 9 years old and run fine.
The reason that the student brought the laptop to me is that they did not want to spend any money.  The rebuild is finished !  Probably last another 5, if he they can find it.

... repair install:  From observing what the Acer disks do I don't believe this is your normal repair.  I believe it was developed by performing a normal install and then capturing the files just before the last reboot were hardware discovery has already taken place.  I think if I went back to the Acer restore I would be right back were I was before with a system that won't boot. It does not really try to repair, just copies the files from a previous build.

Thanks

Is it some or all parts of the product key non readable...you can try combinations.(CoA Label)



Ded9

All are very faint, Just a couple of characters are questionable.  I noticed while typing the code that the system would not take some chars. Example: where I could not tell a Q from an O the txtbox would only accept a Q, and were I could not tell an I from a (1, L,  or a T), the box would only accept an I.

If you cannot read the key, and if you do not want to replace the computer, I think you are going to have to get a proper Windows 7 license (modest expense).

... Thinkpads_User

If you are going to give up, why not just load Linux ?

Lots of nice versions out there that do all the stuff windows does !

Copy the backup image to a pendrive and then try.

You can install linux its free.



Ded9

Linux can run Open Office, so for elementary needs, it can be a substitute for Windows. There is a ton of Windows stuff for which there is no Linux counterpart, so just be sure Linux fits your user's needs.  

... Thinkpads_User

I made a key work, thanks for the help.