[johonn]

Ok I downloaded the tool for my hard drive. Ran the quick test and all was fine, so I ran the long test, and it came out fine too. I suppose that's good news, I don't have to buy a hard drive, but that's just one more thing that isn't the problem, too...

I haven't tried doing the whole linux thing yet. So you're saying to fully install linux, then change the boot order to the cd drive to install windows? Or just to boot it up in linux, then reboot from the cd?

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Gday.
Good that the drive is OK.
Looking at a couple of alternatives and will get back to you.
In the meantime, I know you tried your old XP disc and it did boot. I would like to test to see if you can actually install XP. It will make no difference when you come to install Windows 7

[iammykyl]

Gday.
Good that the drive is OK.
Looking at a couple of alternatives and will get back to you.
In the meantime, I know you tried your old XP disc and it did boot. I would like to test to see if you can actually install XP. It will make no difference when you come to install Windows 7

[johonn]

Ok I've got XP installed fully, boots up and runs.
Interesting. I wonder what in the world is wrong with Windows 7.

Not sure if this is important, but I've never been asked for a product key during the parts of the win7 installation I've reached, but I assume that I enter that once the OS is installed?

Also, I got my "Non-branded" disk in the mail, and surprise surprise, it's a Dell reinstallation DVD accompanied with a note saying this: "Branded software will have either a Dell or HP logo on the disc, but you can install it on any Windows based computer. This software is brand new and will function the same as any OEM. blah blah blah."
Is this true? I was made to understand by our previous discussion that in fact if I have a Dell branded disc, it won't authenticate on my computer.

Thanks!

P.S. I was searching some more for anything about this problem on the web and came across this page: Link
Should I try any of those suggestions?

Edited by johonn, 22 November 2013 - 02:54 PM.

[SleepyDude]

Hi,

Only a suggestion now that you have Windows XP installed try the Windows 7 upgrade advisor maybe it can find something in your system not compatible with Windows 7!

[iammykyl]

Ok I've got XP installed fully, boots up and runs.Interesting. I wonder what in the world is wrong with Windows 7.

Saved messing about with Puppy, and at the mement stumped to the problem. Trying SleepyDude's suggestion may help.

Product Key. Possable with a Dell/HP or downloaded ISO you are not asked for a code but you would have to enter one when activating, a Microsoft disc has always, for me, required a code at installation.

OEM. Sorry, just can't find more information to give more help.

From your link. With the OS running, if you have not already done so, see if there is a BIOS update. I would not make alterations to the partition structure.

[johonn]

Checked the Win7 adviser, no problems aside from not having the video driver installed.
I don't have a floppy drive in right now so can't easily do the bios update. This coming week I'm going to visit my parents, and I think I still have a floppy drive sitting in a closet there somewhere so I'll bring it up and install it.

Let me know if you have any other ideas.

Thanks!

Edit: I just decided to try installing Win7 with the disk I just purchased, just to see if for some odd reason it actually works with an official DVD. I'll let you know what happens.

Result: Same as usual. Didn't work.

Edited by johonn, 24 November 2013 - 11:06 PM.

[iammykyl]

Edit: I just decided to try installing Win7 with the disk I just purchased, just to see if for some odd reason it actually works with an official DVD. I'll let you know what happens.

Look forward to that result.n
BIOS update. if floppy turns out t be a problem. Using the utilities installed from the MB driver disc, is there not an option to download to a file, then update the BIOS from that file?

[johonn]

As I mentioned in my edit, no luck with the last try.
As far as the mobo disk, I haven't actually found it yet, still not sure if I even have it. It's also for some reason really hard for me to find online, or maybe I wasn't looking in the right place. My motherboard is an EVGA NForce 750i SLI.

Anyway guess I'll have to reinstall xp now to work on the BIOS?

[iammykyl]

Thanks for the update.
On this site, left side/middle, includes installer. gave it a go for windows 7, downloaded OK, clean scan from Mailware bytes, went as far as the wizard preparing to install, then stooped as I did not want them on this machine, seemed to go well to that point. free.
> http://www.chipdrive...force-750i-sli/
Another site, but not investigated or tried, > http://drivers.softp...ows-7-x64.shtml

[johonn]

Ok thanks for the research.
I'll have to work on that next week, I'm now away for Thanksgiving. I'll let you know when I get back to it.

[johonn]

Ok I checked out those links you sent.
Unfortunately, they're only links for the motherboard drivers, not the bios.

I do have a bios update to install, but it requires a floppy disk.

I also brought a floppy drive back home with me, and went to install it, and then realized I don't have a floppy connection on my motherboard. I'll have to go back and look and see if there was any way to do it with a thumb drive.

[SleepyDude]

Hi,

Does this information match with your motherboard?


Bios download link including an ISO image to create a boot CD for flashing.

[johonn]

Yes, I downloaded that today and that's what is wanting a floppy.

[SleepyDude]

Yes, I downloaded that today and that's what is wanting a floppy.

The page on the link above includes a ISO to download that you can burn to CD instead of using a floppy.

[johonn]

Oh thanks, I must have missed that.