Desktop reboots when trying to install Windows 7

[billyboy]

We have a custom build desktop in that the customer says was working fine, util he was doing some video editing when it rebooted itself and would not load back into Windows.

When he tried to re install windows it just kept rebooting, it reboots just after the Windows is loading files bar. It is windows 7 by the way.

Here is what is in the desktop:

MSI AM3+ motherboard, not sure of the exact model.
2 x 4GB DDR3 Dual Channel RAM.
AMD FX Processor
120GB SSD - This is what windows is being installed on
1TB HDD

This is what we have tried in the shop:
Changing the BIOS settings to defaults, chaning SATA mode to IDE,
Different RAM, we put in 1 4GB DDR3 single channel stick and removed the original 2.
Different processor
Different combinations of the ssd and the hdd, it does the same with both.
Different DVD drive, installing via usb, installing vista and xp do the same.
We have even tried another motherboard and the same thing is happening!

So I am out of ideas, anyone see what I have missed?

Thanks

 

[Martyn]

Live cd?.............................

 

[billyboy]

Yes it works fine from a live cd, sorry forgot to mention that.

 

[dweebsonduty]

So you have tried to do install it on one of your hard drives? or did you just try different combinations of theirs?

Is the video card built in? If not try swapping that.

 

[rsarceno]

Sounds like Windows 7 compatibility Issue. Since it was already running windows 7 before, we could eliminate some of the requirement that didn't change (eg: 20 GB free space, Graphic Adapter the support Windows Aero.) to narrow down the troubleshooting. You already try different RAM so we can take it off the list.

The only thing left is CPU. Windows 7 requires minimum speed of 1Ghz. What is the CPU speed?

Check the CPU voltage/power. Maybe bad MOBO if the voltage is dropping.

Over heating. If it gets too hot the CPU will throttle down to cool off. Not enough heat sink. Check the fans.

Check the CPU clock. It might have been overclock initially to meet the minimum requirement.

You already change the processor. The chances of 2 bad processor is very slim, but if nothing works, try another processor.

Good luck.

 

[ArtemusComputerTechnology]

WoW..totally agree with rsarceno. Sounds strange but something is causing the problem. If the machine boots a live cd, why not a Windows 7 disc.

 

[scribblesvurt]

We have also tried changing the Mobo and the PSU to a Higher rates 700w one. It happens every time the install hits a GUI so on Windows 7 and vista its just as the scrollbar gets to the end before the Install Windows screen pops up and on xp, it will run through the whole Blue screen Install then when it hit the part where it brings up the Regional Settings GUI it reboots. It could be some Graphics driver issue? Maybe there is some old Graphics driver on one of the drives that is causing it. Billy did we try removing the SSD and the Spinner and trying a totally new HDD drive?

 

[smashedbotatos]

Possibly your Windows 7 Media is faulty? Remove the video card and use integrated if possible, or switch it out with another video card. I have run in to a similar issue with a bad video card. The caps were swollen and leaking on one and the fan was not working on the other. it overheated and caused it machine to completely shut off.

 

[billyboy]

We have tried a different psu, we have also tried installing vista, 7 and xp and all do the same thing.

We tried with no Hard drives present, if it was a hard drive then with none present the 7 install would go all the way to the drive select then tell us to install sata drivers.

The processor is an AMD FX - not sure of the exact clock rate but should be more than enough to install 7 with - unless faulty...

 

[smashedbotatos]

CPU's rarely go bad, and I have installed Win7 on some low grade and slow hardware.

Try replacing everything but the motherboard all at once and see if that does anything. if it is working at that point replace one component at a time until you get the error again.

If it doesn't work.....get a hammer and some matches.....wait nvm lol

 

[shamrin]

If you've changed everything and you still have the problem, then either your procedure is wrong or you've changed to a defective part. You don't mention anything about the video card so this is an obvious choice as the machine is failing right before it goes all graphical. My bet, in order of likelihood, is Graphics Card, RAM, Motherboard.

 

[billyboy]

If you've changed everything and you still have the problem, then either your procedure is wrong or you've changed to a defective part. You don't mention anything about the video card so this is an obvious choice as the machine is failing right before it goes all graphical. My bet, in order of likelihood, is Graphics Card, RAM, Motherboard.

It has a dedicated MSI R5450 graphics card, when removed it does the same thing, if it was a graphics issue then the onboard graphics on the new motherboard should resolve this.

We were thinking along the same lines of it rebooting just before it goes all graphical, thanks for the suggestion though, I will try one of our graphics cards in there now and get back to you.

 

[xxsilk109xx]

This may have been covered, but have you tested the hard drives to make sure there are no faults with them?

 

[scribblesvurt]

OK, so it was the cpu. Despite the cpu seemingly working fine in the bios and during install, it was an ad bulldozer which I believe has a specific area to handle graphics. I can only assume that was faulty as the cpu worked fine until anything graphical was done then it crashed. Once the cpu was replaced the install went fine. So.
Not the GPU, not the inboard gpu but the on chip gpu. That's a new one too me. Hope this helps someone in the future. Thanks for all the help.

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