Question Unable to install Windows 7 on an old HP G60

[mitk0o0o0]

I got the laptop used and it had Windows Vista installed. The OS appeared to be working well but I wanted to do a clean install of Windows 7 on it so I did the usual:
Inserted the DVD disc, booted from the DVD rom, proceeded with the installation steps and as soon as I got to the bit where you choose the partition you want to install it on, I deleted all the existing partitions and just as I was ready to create a new one from the unallocated space, the computer crashed and gave me a blue screen. I didn't pay much attention to the error message unfortunately and just rebooted and re-attempted with the thought that if it just re-appears again I could google the error and look for a solution but it never did, it just turns into a black screen and reboots itself every time I get to the partitioning step.

This last time it delayed and I managed to actually create the system partition (C:\) and Windows managed to create its own small one for whatever its being used. I clicked on Next to begin the installation and again, it rebooted without any explanation.

I transferred the OS to my USB 2.0 flash drive and attempted to boot and install it through that but the problem persists, it refuses to install it. As a last resort I tried exploring the BIOS to see if there are any settings that I can change but the BIOS is basic af, see the picture:

I'm not sure if it's supposed be saying "Vista" in the Factory installed OS thing as I'm pretty sure I deleted all the partitions and there is no trace of Windows Vista left. Is it locked to work with Vista only or something? So I tried the DVD method, the USB method, checked BIOS for any particular settings I could tweak but there's nothing in there and I have no idea what to try next. Has anyone experienced this?

Last thing I just tried is using diskpart through the Command Prompt and it rebooted as soon as I selected Disk 0. It's like it doesn't allow the installer to touch the disk.

Weird thing is, there is actually another disk called Disk 1 with 0 bytes of data. I tried selecting that one first out of curiosity and it managed to select it. I tried to clean it but it said there is no media on the volume. I was hoping there would be some SD card inserted that could be causing all of this but the slot is empty, could that be "Disk 1" be the DVD rom? I attempted to use diskpart through the installation disc.

 

[taeioum]

If your whole computer restarts upon starting diskpart, there seems to be something seriously wrong. Disk 1 shouldn't be a CD-ROM drive, they don't show up in diskpart. Diskpart should show the same disks as Disk Management. Your BIOS showing Vista as the Factory installed OS shouldn't matter, it's probably put in upon assembling the motherboard.

Is there a way to test this hard drive by hooking it up to a different computer? Do you have a hard drive to replace this one?

 

[mitk0o0o0]

If your whole computer restarts upon starting diskpart, there seems to be something seriously wrong. Disk 1 shouldn't be a CD-ROM drive, they don't show up in diskpart. Diskpart should show the same disks as Disk Management. Your BIOS showing Vista as the Factory installed OS shouldn't matter, it's probably put in upon assembling the motherboard.

Is there a way to test this hard drive by hooking it up to a different computer? Do you have a hard drive to replace this one?

None of the above options unfortunately. Should I burn or create some bootable hard drive testing tool to see if there are any issues with it? If so which one would you recommend?

 

[TheGRz]

Try downloading a fresh version of Windows to a USB and try to install it. Sometimes it may be caused by corrupted windows installation media.

 

[taeioum]

Sorry for the late reply. Doing this while working an actual job.. 😉

Try installing this on a USB drive: https://www.hirensbootcd.org/files/Hirens.BootCD.15.2.zip
There's a how-to here: https://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd-on-usb-disk

It has all kinds of useful tools, you're going to want to use the Backup tools, Partition Magic is good for problems with disks or their partitions. You could also use HDTune for troubleshooting, possibly one of the Master Boot Record tools could help out.

 

[Math Geek]

sounds to me like the hdd itself is having trouble. i'm with taeioum i'd try the drive in another system to see if it is readable. a system old enough to have vista on it also has an old hdd on it as well. if it won't read on another pc, then get a shiny new ssd to drop in and both fix the issue and speed up the system a bit in the process.

 

[winlog666]

It may be your drive that is causing the prolem and not the bios itself or the instillation disk. You may need a new drive to install the OS on, if all other options above do not work out. Without the diskpart command not working as it should, I cant really help you.

 

[mitk0o0o0]

Thank you for the replies everyone. So I tried with another Windows 7 ISO on a USB flash drive but again it refused to install it. I then downloaded a Vista ISO and that one managed to install without any issues. Next thing I did was run HDTune to see if anything's up with the hard drive and this is what it shows:

It appears to show no issues with anything except the Airflow Temperature, which I guess explains why it gets so hot after running for about a hour. After installing Vista on it I noticed a transparent removable drive in My computer that was unusable that I am able to eject and nothing more, which I am guessing is the mysterious Disk 1 that shows up in diskpart.

I suppose there's nothing more I can do but to find some hard drive or SSD I can replace it with? I still haven't tried using that Master Boot Record tool taeioum mentioned though, what is it exactly for?

 

[winlog666]

Thank you for the replies everyone. So I tried with another Windows 7 ISO on a USB flash drive but again it refused to install it. I then downloaded a Vista ISO and that one managed to install without any issues. Next thing I did was run HDTune to see if anything's up with the hard drive and this is what it shows:

It appears to show no issues with anything except the Airflow Temperature, which I guess explains why it gets so hot after running for about a hour. After installing Vista on it I noticed a transparent removable drive in My computer that was unusable that I am able to eject and nothing more, which I am guessing is the mysterious Disk 1 that shows up in diskpart.

I suppose there's nothing more I can do but to find some hard drive or SSD I can replace it with? I still haven't tried using that Master Boot Record tool taeioum mentioned though, what is it exactly for?

Yeah looks like your hard drive is bad. If I were you I would replace the drive as soon as possible.

 

[taeioum]

I'd advise anyone with a laptop that old to replace their hard drives, regardless of HDTune finding problems or not, haha. Getting a replacement for it shouldn't cost more than 20 or it's a scam.