M17/Win 7 woes

Hi guys...

Ive been having some issues trying to get Windows 7 to install on my new M17 for the past two months or so. It's been to the depot twice, and even had onsite repair here and they say everything is fine with the system.

The problem is it locks up at expanding files, always in between 11-58%...always a different point. Ive tried installing it using only one stick of RAM (2 gigs), got rid of the RAID and used one HDD, removed one of the ATI video cards...nothing has made a difference. The BIOS is up to date, and I reflashed it anyways to rule that out.

Does anyone have any ideas that I could try before I send this junkbox back to the depot again? If it makes any sense...I cannot get Win Vista to install either unless I use the Respawn 2.0 CD (factory specs). It too locks up at expanding files. Could this be an addressing issue? Mobo?

They said they checked out my Mother board and it's good...but at this point I don't think they've been doing much at all.

Thanks in advance

 

Have you tryed an other disk it could be a bad disk

 

Could be your HDD that's faulty? Has that been checked? Can you test it with a spare?

 

I thought it was a bad disk at first, but Microsoft sent me a second one and it made no difference.

I have replaced both drives (Alienware sent them to me). With Vista on here (im on the m17 now), the computer runs awesome, besides getting a little warm with games and what not which is my primary reason for wanting to switch to 7. The optical drive was changed out, and I tried the install from a thumbdrive...no difference.

 

Hmmm that is strange.

I did install W7 myself on a RAID0 setup and had no problems.

Not sure whatelse the problem can be when both your HDD's and Optical driver was replaced .

 

the upgrade advisor says it may have an issue with the ATI Catlyst controller...but I would think a clean install would have gotten rid of that. I just want Windows 7 before I deploy

 

Lock up as in freeze for 30 minutes of more?
If that's the case, then you can check your dvd drive, or try to install from USB flash drive.
If that still doesn't work, then we rule out the dvd drive at least.

 

yeah, the dots stop moving and the mouse doesn't respond. Already installed a new BluRay/DVD drive...and tried the thumbdrive, doesn't change anything.

 

It locks up even when installed with flash drive?
If that's the case, you can try go into bios to check.
Like ACPI, legacy USB, all those settings.

You can copy down the settings and then load the default then start from there. If it doesn't improve anything at all, you can change back the settings to the copied ones.

 

What should be checked in there? I never messed with it.

I did reflash the BIOS with the latest update (b14), and checked to make sure the keyboard controller was up to date...then I restored it back to factory settings.

 

Okay...just tried the install again for sh!ts and giggles...Moved to 18% expanding files, rebooted then threw me error 0x80070017. I looked it up and it said it was difficulty reading the disk..The disk has a few scratches so I threw my other one in the drive and went back at it.

It made it to 38% of expanding files, no reboot and completely locked up. The mouse/little dots on the screen were un-responsive. I let it set for an hour or so and there was no change.

 

This definitly look like a faulty drive cause thoses settings don't exist in b14
could be the DVD the DVD-drive or the hdd

 

which settings don't exist in B14? Both drives have been replaced...including the optical drive.

I just attempted the thumb drive again as well, made it to 40% and locked up.

 

I'd go in the following order:
1. Check the BIOS for any RAID settings and see if changing those (defaults/legacy/disable/etc) makes any difference.
2 Power drain the mobo (remove the battery, press&hold the power button for 10-20sec, bring back the battery, power on)
3. Rule out the RAM (memtest)
4. Since your HDDs/DVD-ROM/OS-CD/DVD already checked the only thing left (IMHO) is to return the beast as it looks like a chipset/mobo problem....
Good luck