[APCSystems]

Hi everyone, I really hope someone can help me out. I posted this very issue a couple of months ago but I can't find the old post. At the time, I was running a non genuine copy of Windows 7 so I couldn't get help for it. I have since installed and activated a genuine copy of Windows 7 Professional. So far, I've installed nothing. It's a brand new fresh install, and it's still doing what it did before. If I try doing more than one thing at once, I get that little "loading" circle and sometimes get "Not Responding". It's obviously not the install since this is a new one.

This PC previously ran XP with SP3 seamlessly. I formatted it and put it in storage for about 6 months because I moved. It's a Dell Dimension 9100 (aka XPS400), has 2.8ghz dual core Pentium D processor, 2GB of OCZ (I think) memory, 160GB hard drive. Not sure what else you guys need to know. In my previous troubleshooting, I pulled out the memory and tested it one stick at a time. Didn't seem to make any difference at all.

Can someone please help? I really don't want to downgrade back to XP. I like Windows 7 and since I paid for it, would like to use it properly. I'm thinking maybe it's my hard drive, but wouldn't it have given me errors on install? Truthfully I have no idea, but hope someone can help.....

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Original topic HERE
Since it is a new installation and you state it is a legit cd that you purchased then we need to look at other possible reasons.

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, unfortunately, you're out of luck, because Toshiba doesn't provide any diagnostic tool.

Thanks to Broni for the instructions


If you have more than one RAM module installed, try starting computer with one RAM stick at a time.

NOTE Keep in mind, the manual check listed above is always superior to the software check, listed below. DO NOT proceed with memtest, if you can go with option A

B. If you have only one RAM stick installed...
...run memtest...

1. Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)
2. Unzip downloaded memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip file.
3. Inside, you'll find memtest86+-2.11.iso file.
4. Download, and install ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/
5. Insert blank CD into your CD drive.
6. Open ImgBurn, and click on Write image file to disc
7. Click on Browse for a file... icon:



8. Locate memtest86+-2.11.iso file, and click Open button.
9. Click on ImgBurn green arrow to start burning bootable memtest86 CD:



10. Once the CD is created, boot from it, and memtest will automatically start to run. You may have to change the boot sequence in your BIOS to make it work right.

To change Boot Sequence in your BIOS
Reboot the system and at the first post screen (where it is counting up memory) start tapping the DEL button
This will enter you into the Bios\Cmos area.
Find the Advanced area and click Enter
Look for Boot Sequence or Boot Options and highlight that click Enter
Now highlight the first drive and follow the directions on the bottom of the screen on how to modify it and change it to CDrom.
Change the second drive to the C or Main Drive
Once that is done then click F10 to Save and Exit
You will prompted to enter Y to verify Save and Exit. Click Y and the system will now reboot with the new settings.


The running program will look something like this depending on the size and number of ram modules installed:




It's recommended to run 5-6 passes. Each pass contains very same 8 tests.

This will show the progress of the test. It can take a while. Be patient, or leave it running overnight.



The following image is the test results area:



The most important item here is the “errors” line. If you see ANY errors, even one, most likely, you have bad RAM.

[rshaffer61]

Original topic HERE
Since it is a new installation and you state it is a legit cd that you purchased then we need to look at other possible reasons.

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, unfortunately, you're out of luck, because Toshiba doesn't provide any diagnostic tool.

Thanks to Broni for the instructions


If you have more than one RAM module installed, try starting computer with one RAM stick at a time.

NOTE Keep in mind, the manual check listed above is always superior to the software check, listed below. DO NOT proceed with memtest, if you can go with option A

B. If you have only one RAM stick installed...
...run memtest...

1. Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)
2. Unzip downloaded memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip file.
3. Inside, you'll find memtest86+-2.11.iso file.
4. Download, and install ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/
5. Insert blank CD into your CD drive.
6. Open ImgBurn, and click on Write image file to disc
7. Click on Browse for a file... icon:



8. Locate memtest86+-2.11.iso file, and click Open button.
9. Click on ImgBurn green arrow to start burning bootable memtest86 CD:



10. Once the CD is created, boot from it, and memtest will automatically start to run. You may have to change the boot sequence in your BIOS to make it work right.

To change Boot Sequence in your BIOS
Reboot the system and at the first post screen (where it is counting up memory) start tapping the DEL button
This will enter you into the Bios\Cmos area.
Find the Advanced area and click Enter
Look for Boot Sequence or Boot Options and highlight that click Enter
Now highlight the first drive and follow the directions on the bottom of the screen on how to modify it and change it to CDrom.
Change the second drive to the C or Main Drive
Once that is done then click F10 to Save and Exit
You will prompted to enter Y to verify Save and Exit. Click Y and the system will now reboot with the new settings.


The running program will look something like this depending on the size and number of ram modules installed:




It's recommended to run 5-6 passes. Each pass contains very same 8 tests.

This will show the progress of the test. It can take a while. Be patient, or leave it running overnight.



The following image is the test results area:



The most important item here is the “errors” line. If you see ANY errors, even one, most likely, you have bad RAM.

[APCSystems]

I have a 160gb Maxtor hard drive. I'm not sure which utility I should be running...I see the ones that say ATA hard drive 500mb or larger...but mine is a SATA hard drive. I don't see anything for SATA....

[diabillic]

http://www.tacktech..../PwrMx423En.iso

[APCSystems]

Okay, so when I try using the one just posted, I get as far as the boot to the CD, then it says "Scanning for drives (up to 1 minutes) and that's as far as it gets. I tried it twice. I even left it over night to see if it was just really slow. I come in look at it this morning, and same thing still on the screen. I'm not sure if that's the correct utility. However, in browsing around I realized that Maxtor was acquired by Seagate in 2006 so I ran SeaTools for Windows v1.2.0.2 (05.05.2010) which did identify my hard drive correctly. I ran the S.M.A.R.T test, the short drive self test, the long drive self test, the short generic, and the long generic. All of them passed with flying colors. I just still think it's strange that the PowerMax utilities don't seem to work. It's not a problem with the way I'm burning in either because I've used ImgBurn a lot in the past, and I'm certain I copied the image correctly.

So, since the Seagate one passed with flying colors and I couldn't get the PowerMax one to really run, is it safe to say my hard drive is okay? Should I start testing the memory?

[rshaffer61]

Yes HD seems to be fine. Go ahead and move on to the memtest and we will await your results for that.

[happyrock]

after running memtest...
give us the make model number of the ram you have installed...don't guess...remove them and get the info right from the modules...

Edited by happyrock, 22 May 2010 - 08:46 AM.

[APCSystems]

Okay well sorry for the delay but I had a pretty busy weekend with the kiddos. So I ran memtest on each stick of memory individually. I ran over 15 passes on each and got back 0 errors.

The RAM I have installed is 2x(1gb)OCZ Value Series 240-Pin DDR2, it's PC2 5400, and the model is OCZ26672048VDC-K.

So, now it looks like my hard drive and memory are both okay. No idea why the PC is running the way it is. I have no software installed except for Imgburn. Any other suggestions?

Edited by APCSystems, 24 May 2010 - 06:02 PM.

[happyrock]

go here...
Download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to see if your PC is ready for Windows 7. It scans your hardware, devices, and installed programs for known compatibility issues, gives you guidance on how to resolve potential issues found, and recommends what to do before you upgrade.

[APCSystems]

go here...
Download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to see if your PC is ready for Windows 7. It scans your hardware, devices, and installed programs for known compatibility issues, gives you guidance on how to resolve potential issues found, and recommends what to do before you upgrade.

Should I do this even though I already have Windows 7 installed?

Edited by APCSystems, 25 May 2010 - 08:56 AM.

[happyrock]

Should I do this even though I already have Windows 7 installed?

yep...it should have been run prior to upgrading but lets see what it says

[antechmrt]

IDK whether i can link to other foums.
Sorry if I have violated the rules.

Check these links and follow the instructions very carefully:

http://www.sevenforu...le-checker.html
http://www.w7forums....-disk-t448.html

[APCSystems]

Should I do this even though I already have Windows 7 installed?

yep...it should have been run prior to upgrading but lets see what it says

Okay, I ran the upgrade installer. My PC is ready for Windows 7 (Good thing because I already have it). All of my devices are listed as compatible, zero issues.

[APCSystems]

Anyone have any other suggestions?

[Rowal5555]

Have you been to Windows Updates again and again until it is all finished (assuming you can keep running long enough)?