[dsmith402]

i've both ways....

the only program i get a red X next to under the programs list is Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1, not compatible...

would that need to be updated?

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If you're starting the installation by booting to the CD, any software installed on the machine would be of little consequence...it would simply not be seen.

It's been my experience that starting from within windows...or restarting an installation without shutting the machine completely down can bring on this error.

Try starting the installation again from the CD (after powering completely down) and let me know which screen you get to cleanly (without error).

[wannabe1]

If you're starting the installation by booting to the CD, any software installed on the machine would be of little consequence...it would simply not be seen.

It's been my experience that starting from within windows...or restarting an installation without shutting the machine completely down can bring on this error.

Try starting the installation again from the CD (after powering completely down) and let me know which screen you get to cleanly (without error).

[dsmith402]

ok... i'll give that a quick try...

[dsmith402]

no dice on that one

[wannabe1]

How far do you get?

[dsmith402]

same place, same message

[wannabe1]

Do you have another optical drive you can try instead of the one that's in the machine now? I'm leaning towards that as being the culprit.

[dsmith402]

the only other one i have is the 500 gb hard drive i bought yesterday... but when i tried that it did the same thing

[wannabe1]

Optical drive = CD/DVD drive

[dsmith402]

oh right i knew that lol... any suggestions on what i should look for in a new optical drive

[wannabe1]

Just make sure it's of the same connection type (SATA or PATA (IDE)) and that it's a DVD drive. Other than those requirements, it depends on what you want or can afford.

If this is a laptop machine, you'll need a "slim" drive...same requirements apply.

[dsmith402]

i guess since my dvd/cd drive is 4 years old it may be time for a new one... what a difficult process for a simple thing. thanks for the help, not sure if i'll find myself at the store tonight or not. but its worth a try at this point

[wannabe1]

I just went through this with a machine I was working on. The old drive seemed fine until I tried to install with it...and it threw the same error as you're getting.

I cannibalized a drive from another machine and Windows 7 installed flawlessly with it.

[dsmith402]

sounds like problem solved then...perhaps now that you've done it and proved it to work i may go to the store after all tonight... if i do and get it up and running i'll be sure to come back and let everyone know... thanks again !!!

[wannabe1]

Never count your chickens before they've all hatched...particularly where computers are concerned.

I'm betting that Windows 7 is seeing the optical drive's controller board and ID just fine, but is having problems with the firmware the drive is using. Not all that unusual a problem when working with older drives.