Windows Setup Hangs When "Setup Is Starting Windows" is displayed

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I installed the Evaluation version (first 32 bit then 64 bit) in less than 20 mins. Horror of horrors when I installed the paid version I had similar problems like everyone above. Started with BSOD and the the "freezes".
I am wondering why this is so.Followed suggestions using F5 and removing USB attachments and so far it is successful. I am going to make an image copy and b/up and the load the various softwares etc, so that if anything happens the Image will come in handy. Thank you everyone for all the suggestions.
 
I have an acer aspire 5532 laptop . and tried to restore to factory settings today , and it got stuck on setup is starting , then a window would popup and it said it couldnt install windows , ?????????
 
Jarrodstar, do you have Acer recovery disks or did you create them? I know there is a partition on my Acer 5720 that has the OS too, but I would use disks if you are having problems. If you don't have disks, can you get back to your old system and create them?
 
Hello,

I have had the same 'starting windows' problem. I systematically went about eliminating every hardware problem i could think of until i was left with changing the graphics card or the cd/dvd drive. I didn't have another graphics card so i went for the cd drive.

so i unplugged the ide drive and turned my mp3 walkman into a bootable installer using these methods:
http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-create-bootable-windows-7-usb-to-install-windows-7-from-usb-flash-drive-using-windows-7-dvdusb-tool/
and since i had the digitalriver download:
http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/11/01/use-the-windows-7-usbdvd-download-tool-with-custom-isos/

and wow. it finally installed. However the problem still remains. If i plug in my ide cd/dvd drive, the regular windows boot hangs at 'starting windows', just as before.

i might try a few things in the bios such as disabling pci ide busmastering and maybe changing master to slave but i doubt any of that will work. although my manufacturer has a download for windows 7 64bit drivers, the actual files seem to be for 32 bit so stumpted there.

Any other ideas?

cheers
 
update:

disabling pci busmastering didn't do anything nor did changing the drive setting in the bios from auto to cd/dvd. disabling ide controller in the bios lets me boot though.
 
I have AMD Phenom II 965 with M4A785TD-EVO using 2 X 2gb Corsair memory. Two Sata drives 1 tb and 1.5 tb). Using ide dvd reader. Use ATX 400pn spc from SPI.
Able to get into BIOS now at 2005 version. I tried many different bios changes and also unhooked sata drives alternately as well as switched from a sata dvd reader to an ide.

Problem: Could not get it to install XP, Win 7 or Win 2008 R2.. It would always fail and at different places. I read somewhere that the voltage on the Corsairs should be higher than 1.5. So I started to increase the voltage and at 1.71 Win 2008 R2 installed. XP and Win 7 actually installed at 1.65.

So far everything works but could not run utilities/drivers on 2008 r2 from amd as mostly indicates wrong os. Not sure if there are additional updates to this as I downloaded the latest from amd ( June 1/ 2010 ).

Mark
 
I had the same problem.

Case – Moneual Labs 972, MB – Asus P7P55D-E Pro, PSU – Enermax EES620AWT, CPU – I5 750 2.66, RAM – 4GB (2x2) GSkill GSK F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ, GPU – MSI 5450, W7 Ultimate 64bit


Problem#1
I put the computer into sleep from the power button on the case, killed my TV/Monitor assuming things would go as usual, went to bed. Next day, turned on my TV and noticed HTPC’s power was still on, with both the case and TV screen displaying only a black screen, and the HDD indicator on case was pegged (accessing/thinking). Couldn’t get W7 to come back and only option was to hold power button for 5 sec to turn off. Then nothing worked at all, like it was fried. Opened case and the only signs of life I could get was a green led on the MB and one on the back of the touch screen. Jumped the PSU and it worked so that was ruled out.

Fix #1
Reset CMOS. Refer to the MB manual for instructions. Just moving the jumper didn’t work for me, so I had to remove the battery too. Computer fired up first time after resetting, but…



Problem #2
…when starting W7, computer freezes on the Windows logo pulsating splash screen. The 4 colored orbs fly into place and pulse for about 5 seconds, then freeze and no longer pulse. I tried just about everything under the sun in BIOS settings, startup options, PS/2 keyboard w/ no mouse, etc. I could get W7 to load but only in safe mode, however the same problem always occurred when trying a ‘normal’ boot. Also tried booting/reinstalling from W7 disc with same problem.

Fix #2
Powered off computer. Removed 2nd RAM chip from MB. Started computer and worked first time. Then powered off computer and reinserted RAM. W7 loads, works as it should, and all 4GB RAM show in BIOS.


 
Have been having the same problems with Win7 installation freezing. The floppy thing seems to have fixed it for me (so far knock on wood). The option in my bios was to set it to disabled (instead of none). Right now Win7 is up to installing updates, so I think I'm gonna make it!

The previous Win7 installs I've done where on fully assembled computers with a floppy drive hooked up, so apparently that's why I had no problems with those. This time I'm working with only components, outside of the case, because I haven't decided which CPU I'm really going to end up keeping. Two things amaze me, in this advanced world. Why is the motherboard showing a floppy drive, when none exists. And why would something so trite cause Win7 to freeze up during installation? Shame on everyone!

Wow, as I was typing the last paragraph, the installation completed, computer restarted, and now I'm ready to set up Windows 7. Simply amazing!!!!
 
Removing Memory Worked for Me.

Was installing Windows 7 on an XP Home system and it kept freezing at the "Starting Windows" screen, before the windows logo would even begin to appear (you know the colored balls that fly into the center of the screen). For me it turned out to be removing two older memory chips from my Dell Dimension 9150 (actually removed the original 2 512mb chips it came with) and left the 2 1gb upgrade chips. Worked like a charm. Who knows precisely why..who cares.
 
Hey guys having the same issue,everything worked then rebooted to install a spdif cord to my GPU and then restarted to find windows not booting.tried all your suggestion-still nothing Ram is detected, cpu is detected and its working as express gate works.So any suggestions is appreciated.
 
I had this problem as well, with an ASUS P7P55D-E motherboard and Corsair xms3 RAM. The solution I found was to remove the second stick of RAM, then install Windows, and then reinstall the second stick of RAM.
Click to expand...


I have spent three days trying to install windows 7 64bit on a ASUS P7H55-M-PRO with no luck, not until I removed all but one stick of RAM...Viola, it is in the process of installing right now. Thanks a bunch for the tip, I was about ready to take a hammer to the thing.

stevek1... :hello:
 
We usually see these problems on Upgrade Tuesday. Often a bad update to your video card is the culprit. Try this:

1) Boot in Safe Mode
2) Click the Start Button
3) Right-Click on Computer
4) Click on Properties
5) Click on Device Manager
6) Select Display Adapters, then select the Video Card (Intel, or Nvidia, or ATI, etc)
7) On the Menu Bar above, click the Uninstall Icon and then the OK button.
8) Reboot the computer normally
9 Your problem should be solved

D.
 
Hello There!

Im trying to upgrade a Gateway M-73 series laptop (not sure the actualy model since it isn't anywhere) from Vista to Win 7. Problem is current windows installation is corrupted so I cannot get into windows (safe mode or not).

When I boot from Win 7 CD it hangs right after "starting windows" screen.. Well it doesn't really hang, let me explain. It comes to a black screen and I can move the mouse around the screen but that is all I see, a mouse pointer. I've let it sit there for quite some time and all it does is spin up the fans every so often.

I've tried going into the bios and disabling the USB ports and played around with disabling the LAN and Wireless with no results.

Was thinking maybe I should patch the BIOS but could not find any on Gateway's support web site.

Thanks in advance, if anyone has any suggestions I'm all eyes!
 
I tried to get past the Starting Windows screen the whole day. (it would eventually get to the blue screen but hang there as well, red activity led constantly on, but no sounds from the hard drive or DVD)

Turns out I just needed to change the Sata Mode from Sata to AHCI (Raid was a third option)
 


I wasn't a member of this forum but i had to sign up just to confirm that this method of disabling the fdd 1.44 works a treat.

I know how frustrating computer problems can be and this solution is gold, thanks for your knowledge mate :)
 
32 bit version:I only needed to disable FDD and remove all RAM except one 2GB stick. USB 2.0 Controller was enabled, and I had a keyboard and mouse attached at all times. Before removing RAM -- even after disabling FDD -- I wouldn't even see the four colors/windows logo at the "Starting Windows" screen. After removing RAM the colors coalesced into the image immediately. After 30 seconds on "Setup is Starting", my CPU fan kicked on and it went to work.

ASUS M3A32 MVP Deluxe Motherboard
AMD Athlon X2 5200 CPU
nVidia (EVGA) GTS 450
8GB DDR2 RAM as 4x2GB OCZ

Upgrading processor in a few days, so I'll be trying to install 64-bit then. I'll update with anything else I try/notice. Will be starting with full 8GB of RAM, everything enabled, then takedown one at a time, then in combinations to try and nail down a bare minimum disable list.
 
Yeah, umm... So I wasn't a member or anything, but I had tried a few of these suggestions.
I didn't have the Floppy Disc option in my bios, so I couldn't turn that off. I did take out the second stick of RAM; didn't do anything.

I noticed that this had happened once before when I was plugging my system back together from a previous PC screwup. It finally had turned on for some reason, but when it was on, I saw that I hadn't plugged in two of my fans. This next time around, I unplugged one of my fans - it started up just fine! Twice!

Then I realized that I still only had one stick of RAM plugged in...
*takes break from writing*
*plugs in other sticks of RAM*
*3 sticks of 2 gigs of RAM plugged snugly back in*

OK, one of my sticks must also be going bad... "No Signal" keeps displaying. Let's switch it up now... Pretty sure I found the culprit (that solves the issue that caused my first PC screwup). Back to one stick of RAM, everything starts up fine. Stick in the 2nd one (really wish I could fit another one into that second bit.

*plugs in 2nd stick of RAM*

Windows starts up just fine. Hmmm...

Let's plug the fan in and see what happens. I wonder if it's a power issue, or maybe it's just plugged in to the wrong place for some god-awful reason... It gets back to the Starting Windows screen... *suspense* And it starts up again. What the?!

Ok, so the solutions to my Intel-based, Asus mobo'd, crossfired pair of HD 4850s problem could either be that my stick of RAM was causing two separate problems, OR I had a bad connection. Funny that it would turn on after unplugging my fan after 7 failed attempts with 1 stick of RAM. As I typed this, it successfully booted a second time.

So my suggestion: try each stick of RAM by itself in two full rotations, just in case to see which may or may not work. Also, maybe unplug a fan or two... for spite's sake. Maybe it could work!
 
Well, my vote goes to the F5 solution. After hours of chasing rainbows this is the trick that worked for me. Hit F5 as the computer is booting up. Up comes Boot Manager - which I'd never heard of - then select advanced options that lets you start up in safe mode and away you go.
I've no idea what was wrong and I've no idea why this works, but my thanks to those of you who suggested it.
And, by the way, I wasn't attempting to install Windows 7. I was trying to set up Server 2008 r2 and, if you look at discussion threads all over the internet, the problem of an installation freezing right at the start is remarkably similar - as is the (or at least a) solution.
 
Gigabyte EP45D-UD3LR motherboard
Intel Core2 Quad Q9550 2.83 GHz @ 3.40 GHz
4GB OCZ PC12800
EVGA Nvidia GTX 480 superclock


Hey guys. I just had this issue. Windows 7 did an update and then windows wouldnt start, it would freeze on the windows is starting screen. so i decided to reinstall windows 7 64-bit home premium

This is the second time im installing Win7 on this computer and the first time it went fine with NO problems.

First windows would freeze during the Setup is Starting screen during installation.
I disabled the FDD and it went into the setup but it wouldnt see any of the HDDs and would freeze at the screen where you choose which HDD to install windows on.
I recently got a new video card so I switched the GTX480 with my old Asus CuCore ATI 5770 and then windows is installing ok so far
 
I'd just like to chime in and say that THIS fixed it for me:

1.) Go into your BIOS
2.) Disable USB 2.0/3.0 (I have 3.0) ((Make SURE you have a PS/2 keyboard lying around because you will not be able to access BIOS with a USB keyboard if you disable this))

Restart your computer and proceed with installation. Very odd problem that shouldn't have happened at all.

My PC Specs:
450 GTX card
i5 2500k cpu
MSI motherboard
4gigs ram
1terabyte hd

Hope it helps anyone!
 
Hey guys,

Been having the same problem, and worked all the afternoon to try and get rid of it. Finally, I have read something that pointed me to the problem: the wrong voltage was selected into my BIOS for the RAM (2.65V instead of 2.60V). The MOBO is a MSI K8N Neo4, and the BIOS is loaded with overclocking features. I tryed almost everything listed here, and to this point USB and floppy are still disabled.

I hope nobody ever read this post, because since it's way down in the thread, it must mean that you're in serious trouble. But if so, man, I sincerely wish you good luck. :)


(Oh, yeah, I forgot: did the install from a SATA DVD reader instead of IDE too.)
 
Try just pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE, worked for me. It had been stuck at the screen for over 30 minutes and as soon as I pressed CTRL ALT DELETE the screen to press next just popped up like magic.
 
Just letting anyone know the original post about setup is starting and would just stall.
I was using a laptop and went into bios and set sata mode to compadiblity mode and turned off wireless just incase and it worked for me.
 
Seriously Thank you for posting that "f5" reply.. Made my 2am night last night a whole lot better today to read and find out. Praise be to the forum gods 😀


 
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