New computer troubles/OS troubles

[Denchi]

I bought parts for a new computer today, put it together. i5, radeon 5770, 4gbs ram, etc.

Then I went to install a windows vista ultimate copy a friend who works at intel gave me a while ago. I entered the CD key, got in, started installing drivers, everything was great. Then upon a reboot, it said "wrong CD key, you can no longer use this computer, blah blah blah." Then all I could do was look at how microsoft wanted to charge me $200 for a new cd key. I decided I could buy windows 7 if I was going to spend that kind of money, but decided to install windows 2000 in the meantime.

Well when installing windows 2000, there was some error. 2 files I don't think got installed. The installation still finished, but upon reboot, at the starting loading bar, I get the blue screen of death saying how it can't boot.

I decided to try to re-installing windows vista and hoping to get the same starting screen and purchase a student version of windows 7 before restarting (offer online, downloads it for me, etc), in hopes of just buying that.

Well now I can't install vista either, it says there's something wrong with my hard drive and it can't read it or something. I have no idea what to do, since I don't know how to reformat without an OS. I'm stuck, help please.

[guartz]

you'll need to create a bootable media. Like a cd, for example. Typically free ones you find on the web boot into dos. There are some available for linux as well. It doesn't matter, so long as they come with fdisk functions.

Then once you restart with that bootable cd. Type format c:\

[Denchi]

the vista CD will allow me to get to the cmd prompt.

I tried typing C:\ and it didn't recognize the command. Would it still work if I typed format c:\? or do I have bigger issues?

(Currently re-installing windows 2000 hoping that error won't happen again, so can't test it atm)

[guartz]

bigger issues? Depends, is your hard-drive spinning when you boot your pc?


If I were you, i'd download say, Ubuntu distro, make a small partition, say 30 gigs, and install it. This way you can test your hardware before making a commitment to purchase 200 dolla OS.

[Denchi]

uh none of that works. it doesn't recognize format C:\, the default is X:\

Also, the ubuntu CD won't boot.

This is so much fun

[Caiyuo]

What happens with the Ubuntu CD when trying to boot to it? Is your BIOS set to boot to the CD/DVD drive prior to trying? Which version are you using? You can use the utility that comes on the live disc called "GParted" or just download the GParted live CD as well, fyi.

[Denchi]

my computer doesn't recognize the CD at all, it keeps saying "Insert bootable media." I downloaded the ubuntu ISO and burned it onto a CD.

It's whatever version http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download gives me. 9.10 Desktop Version.

[Caiyuo]

What did you burn it with? I'd just guess that whatever was used didn't set any sort of bootflag for the computer to recognize it as a bootable disc. ImgBurn, I believe does this automatically.

[Denchi]

Toast 6 Titanium. I somehow got to a screen where I was looking to load hard drive drivers, and I have 2 drives totalling about 130gb's recognized by my computer. I have a 500gb hard drive.

I really don't know how windows could have fucked this up this bad.

This is going to have to wait until the morning, I really don't see a solution other than taking the HDD back and getting a new one. This is ridiculous.

[Caiyuo]

I can't remember what the particular cause is, but I believe it's either hardware-based or dependant on the OS, but some do not recognize anything greater than 137GB or so~ in a single hard drive and that may be the issue you're seeing now with having attempted to install Windows 2000.

At this point I'd specifically try installing ImgBurn, burn Ubuntu 9.10 or GParted Live as bootable (google burning bootable iso imgburn), using the partition manager in either to delete any existing partitions and perhaps create new partitions you may need while there if the full 500GB is recognized, then just installing Windows 7 from that point as you should have 30 days to activate it.

[fishstix]

Vista (and any bootable windows cd install) should allow you to format within the setup process when it asks you what partition/drive to install it to. no offense, but if you're having this much trouble with windows, probably shouldn't bother messing with linux when you have the tools you need already.

There should be a way that you can install vista either without inputting the cd key, or doing so, but not activating online so it won't lock up your computer. It should still be usable for 30 days which will allow you to do whatever you needed. As for that Vista Ultimate cd key, if your friend no longer uses it, you can try phoning MS saying you changed your motherboard and need to reactivate. There's a chance it might not work, if he reactivated too many times, or if it's an OEM version or something idk, but worth a try probably.

[Isiolia]

Do a RAM check. Seriously. That can cause file write errors during install, and some of the other stuff you've mentioned. Not 100% that's the issue, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to check.

[virusiidx]

Do a RAM check. Seriously. That can cause file write errors during install, and some of the other stuff you've mentioned. Not 100% that's the issue, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to check.

I've done lots of PC builds and OS installs and this is not uncommon. I've gone through quite a few faulty memory sticks preventing me from a healthy OS install; causing BSOD's, etc...

So again, as quoted, it might not be the case, but worth a try just incase. Memtest86 is great for this.

Also, if I were you, I'd probably just pick up Win7 and let it do the format/partition for you.

[guartz]

Ubuntu distro he burned is bootable.

But a failed install of windows can do funky stuff to the computer. I also had some weird stuff happen with bad ram.

[Denchi]

I appreciate your guys' help.

So what I've done this morning is change the RAM slots (since it wasn't dual-channel before), and downloaded and used the Ubuntu ISO and imgburn. I had to use my dads PC since I'm writing this on my macbook right now.

The Ubuntu CD had an error while verifying, so I'm not sure what that means, but it actually still booted when I put it in my new comp. First thing I did was run a memory check, and it just passed that (tests the RAM I think?) I also, before all of this, got to the cmd prompt through the vista CD and formatted C:. Unfortunately, C: is still only being recognized as about 84GB's, when my HDD is 500GB's. Now i'll try to see what I can do with Ubuntu, and just pray it all works.

I have a friend who is sending me an unused copy of Vista Ultimate in the mail, and with that I can hopefully use my being a student to get Windows 7 Pro for $30. That's the end goal at least.

Edit: Ubuntu isn't loading, must be the disc error, I'm re-trying to burn the img CD

[Denchi]

this ubuntu CD is working, and I think I just fixed my HDD problem.

I am now not touching either of my other CD's....

[Sonomaa]

the copy of vista your buddy from MS got you was just the pirated version with the corp key that got banned ages ago, you didnt get anything fancy or special or it would have worked, you just got el warez

I doubt win2k will work properly since it doesnt have the full support that the new OS has, if you install win7 though and dont enter a key you can run it in 30 day mode and rearm is 3 times for 120 days total until you can get a key on the cheap from like win741.com or something

[Denchi]

I would love to do that. How do I go about getting a downloadable version of Windows 7 to allow me to buy the upgrade?

[Caiyuo]

If you're familiar with torrents you should be able to find a clean Windows 7 image, but so far all I've found is cracked stuff with iffy comments on public trackers that I can't really link since they seem fairly shady.

[guartz]

2 words;

Remove Wat