VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

[gridleak]

Hi all,

This is my 1st post, so I hope I do this right.

I'm trying to do a reinstall of VISTA on an e-Machine E620 laptop for a friend. After trying 4 times, I'm still getting stuck at the same spot during the install.

Here's what I've done so far;

Format the hard drive, install VISTA from a standard VISTA CD because my friend does not have the recovery disks. I just put in the VISTA product key that's underneath the laptop when I'm prompted.

All goes well till it does a restart. I get as far as the black screen with the little blue scrolling bar. The screen then turns black for a few seconds, then turns a light blue and I get the following message, "The computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error. Windows installation cannot proceed. To install Windows, click 'OK' to restart the computer and then restart the installation."

On the 4th attempt, the only thing I did different was start from a DOS floppy from a USB floppy drive. I deleted the primary partition and created a new one before repeating the process I listed above and getting the same results. I've also tried 2 different VISTA discs with the same results.

A computer tech friend of mine ran a diagnostic check on the hardware as well and nothing showed up.

Any guidance here would be appreciated.

Regards and thanks for now, Bob

[stj]

Re: VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

fuck vista - that's the first thing.

use Linux, or use XP or use "7"
skip vista - it's very bad.

[shovenose]

Re: VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

i do not recommend "fucking" vista. as babies with the vista cd wouldnt look that nice.

but, i do agree that you should put windows 7 onthere. dont bother with xp nymore, they are slowly phasing it out...
:
)windows 7 home preium 64bit oem just costs $99...

[Wrog]

Re: VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

Interesting, "standard" Vista media should not accept an OEM key.. that could be an issue. What I would do is try to slipstream the latest service pack and try again. Use vLite to accomplish this.

[shovenose]

Re: VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

Ive always had good luck both with using dell oem keys for dell xp cds multiple times same key, and never had a problem with using dell cds on other pcs (hps and self-builts too!)

[weirdlookinguy]

Re: VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

Try a different CD. I had an XP CD do that to me once. After a few hours of hair pulling I decided to try a different copy of it. It worked just fine. I also had a flaky optical give me a ton of crap while trying to install FC6 once.

[Wrog]

Re: VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

Ive always had good luck both with using dell oem keys for dell xp cds multiple times same key, and never had a problem with using dell cds on other pcs (hps and self-builts too!)

Yes, you can use an OEM key with OEM media all day long. The issue is using OEM keys with retail media.

[gridleak]

Re: VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

Hi again,

weirdlookinguy.... Thanks, but I mentioned in my thread that I tried 2 different VISTA discs and got the same results with both. I also tried them by connecting a DVD-ROM connected to my external USB hard drive case as well and got the same results at the same place. That was in case the internal one might be the issue.

Wrog.... I have loaded retail discs on OEM equipment before with good results. On the 2 occasions that it would not activate on line, I telephoned the number given and talked to the computer at Microsoft, and re-did the activation that way and it took both times.

The only thing I figure I have succeeded in so far is increasing my vocabulary.

Appreciate the input though. Thanks.

Bob

[MXM]

Re: VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

hey, welcome to the site... wel i remember i once had a weird issue logging windows too and when i thought i had tried everything i tried installing the hard drive i was having issues with on other motherboard and do everything all over -physically plugging it to another board- and it worked, i remember i didnt even format cause at first boot it worked, i wouldnt mind trying that out given the fact you've tried many things. didnt make much sense to me but it solved my issue. it was also a laptop but i cant remember the brand, and the disc was sata and i installed it on one of many shitty hp sff i have around... and i'd also recommend using other key if it doesnt work again.

peace.


ps. thanks to the mod who deleted my double post on other thread

[kc8adu]

Re: VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

if it were a key problem it would reject it right then and there.disk/drive issues more likely.

[bgavin]

Re: VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

OP, go to www.memtest.org and download the .ISO for v4.10 memory diagnostics. Burn to CD, boot the CD and run all the tests. Any red errors indicate fatal memory problems which will cause the problems you see.

Depending upon what drive is installed in your machine, go find the diagnostics for that make. You can get either floppy or CD based in most cases.

Do a full surface scan, not just the quickie.
Some packages will allow you to write zeros, ala a kind of low level format to the disk. If the drive has more than 26,000 hours, it has seen more than 3 years continuous use and should be replaced. The various SMART utilities will let you read this counter, or DiskCheckup will do it once you have Windows working.

[yyonline]

Re: VISTA install problem on an e-Machine laptop...

Maybe a driver issue? Try slipstreaming SP2 into your Vista disc, which should update the driver base. Google should have directions on doing that. Alternatively, try disabling all non-essential peripherals in bios setup, running the install, then download updated drivers before re-enabling the peripherals in bios.

Is there a BIOS update available for the laptop?

Are you using another OEM's Vista CD with the emachines laptop? This wouldn't be a problem as far as the key is concerned, but OEMs often integrate drivers for certain vendor-specific hardware drivers, which can occasionally cause conflicts. Perhaps try a generic OEM disc instead of a vendor-specific OEM disc?