Windows 7 Windows 7 Clean Install: Freezes on "Starting Windows" screen

[mshannahnv]

Hey guys, I've been trying to fix this myself but with no luck. Maybe you can give me some tips? I think it is a hardware issue which I have little to no experience with.
It all started when I decided to upgrade to Windows 7 x64 from my Vista x64. I had nothing of importance on the computer, so why not do a clean install and start fresh? It installed fine and rebooted several times until the computer had the Setup is checking video performance, it froze on that screen. I had to reboot it and now here is my current issue.....
Installation is going fine, goes to Completing Installation and then reboots..Then shows a black screen with blinking cursor for 5 minutes. Then restarts itself and has Windows Recovery Error. I chose Start Windows Normally and it goes to Starting Windows screen with the logo. I've tried letting it sit there for 30 minutes until it restarts itself and states Windows failed to start. A recent software or hardware change may be the cause..etc etc..
...So basically it's just a constant cycle of Starting Windows; screen and Windows Recovery Error screen; Unless I press f10 to go into the Boot Options.
If anybody could give any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. I already installed Windows 7 on my laptop so I know it's my desktop which is causing the issues..
Gateway FX4710
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 / 2.5 GHz
6GB Ram / 667.0 MHz
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT / 512.0 MB

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you're facing some challenges with the installation and boot process after moving from Windows Vista x64 to Windows 7 x64 on your Gateway FX4710 desktop. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to address this issue:

Steps to Troubleshoot the Installation and Boot Issue:​

1. Check Hardware Compatibility:
   • Ensure that your hardware components, like the NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT graphics card and other peripherals, are compatible with Windows 7 x64. Visit the Gateway website or NVIDIA's official site to confirm compatibility and download any necessary drivers for Windows 7.
   []Boot into Safe Mode:
   • Try booting into Safe Mode to see if Windows 7 can start with basic drivers. If it does, this might indicate a driver issue. To boot into Safe Mode, restart your computer and press the F8 key repeatedly until you see the Advanced Boot Options menu.
   []Reinstall Graphics Drivers:
   • Since the installation freezes during the video performance check, it's possible that the issue lies with the graphics drivers. Try reinstalling the NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT drivers. You can do this in Safe Mode or by accessing the command prompt from the recovery options.
   []Check BIOS Settings:
   • Access the BIOS settings (usually by pressing Del, F2, or F10 during startup) and ensure that the boot order is correct. Set the primary boot device to your hard drive where Windows 7 is installed.
   []Repair Windows 7 Installation:
   • If you have access to the Windows 7 installation disc, you can try running the Startup Repair tool. Insert the disc and boot from it to access the repair options.
   []Check for Memory Issues:
   • Run a memory diagnostic test to check for any RAM issues that might be causing the boot problems. Windows includes a built-in Memory Diagnostic tool that can be accessed from the Advanced Boot Options menu (F8 key during startup).
   []Perform a Clean Installation Again:
   • If none of the above steps work, consider doing a clean installation of Windows 7 again. Ensure that the installation media is not corrupted and that the installation process completes without any errors.

     Additional Notes:​

     • Your Gateway FX4710 desktop with an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 and 6GB RAM should be capable of running Windows 7 smoothly.
     • Ensure all important data is backed up before attempting any major changes to the system.
     By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the boot issue you are experiencing after upgrading to Windows 7 x64 on your desktop. If you encounter any specific error messages or further issues, feel free to provide more details for additional assistance.