[Souley16]

I've installed windows countless times on many computers and never had an issue until I've tried doing it with my friend's Toshiba satellite a505-6005. I am doing a clean install so I chose "format partition" after the windows 7 install loads. The installation starts but always hangs when it gets to the "completing installation" steps. I've tried using the default values in the bios menu with no success. I don't have the recovery disk. I've tried different versions of windows 7 but the result is the same. The install hangs at the "completing installation" step. Any pointers?

Thanks.

[happyrock]

try the install again but be sure you use the full format option...
nojoy
IMPORTANT...unplug both computers from the wall first and remove the battery if its a laptop

try slaving the hard drive to a working computer...then format it as ntfs file system...make sure you use use the full format option not the quick option...
then put the drive back in the bad computer and try installing again

[Souley16]

I plugged the laptop hard drive to a docking station, long formatted it, tried again the reinstall but it still hangs, is there something I can try, could a hardware failure be the reason why the install isn't completing.

Thanks.

[happyrock]

Quote

could a hardware failure be the reason why the install isn't completing

yep but lets try booting up puppy linix...it run completely in ram and doesn't need a hard drive
it will not use your wireless at all but you should be able to access the internet using a Ethernet cable...the guide is here...it was written for people that can't boot up windows but want to get the data off the misbehaving computer...it is a complete operating system and will use all your hardware but the wireless adapter

[Souley16]

I wasn't able to boot up puppy linux on the "bad computer" via CD or USB flash. I thought I was doing something wrong so I tried it on a working desktop and I was able to launch Puppy on it. Puppy linux started loading on the bad computer and I am not entirely sure but I think it gets to the step where it loads into the ram then a couple more steps, then I get a black screen. Could it be that the issue is with the ram maybe? What else can we try?

[happyrock]

its definitely hardware


we can test the ram...guide for memtest here

[Souley16]

Ill try the memory test and confirm if its ram... Thanks

[Souley16]

MEMTEST86 reported no errors, I was kinda hoping it would, oh well, How else can we test for a hardware failure?

[happyrock]

I'm afraid that you will have to take it to shop to have it checked out...sorry

[Souley16]

Thanks for your help

[happyrock]

your welcome...
sorry we couldn't do more for you but trying to diagnose a hardware problem in a non booting computer without having it sitting on the bench and having the tools right there is not going to work