So I joined up to beta test Windows 7, more for the fun and distraction of it than anything. I downloaded both the 32 and 64 bit ISOs and burned em’ to DVD for installation. Below is a basic walkthrough of the installer and a fix for a problem that occurs on my test hardware (Dell Optiplex 740)
7′s install is as straight forward as Vista’s. You choose your language, time and currency format and your keyboard layout and then accept the license. Next you choose your install type (I chose custom, not upgrade). Following that, you select your destination partition (I’m installing on a dual boot system and I created the partition in advance) and let it go. The installer copies the files to the hard disk and reboots the machine for the first time.
This is where the fun begins! The machine boots and you get the fancy Windows particle animation, some notifications of reg and system updates, a message reading that Windows is completing the installation and then… a black screen with just a hint of color in the top row of pixels. The installer is still working as indicated by DVD and hard disk drive access. Eventually, the machine will reboot again and attempt to load Windows, you’ll be left at the same black screen.
The problem is that there’s a driver update required for the video chipset to work properly, here’s how I got into Windows in order to install the update.
Note: I was able to get higher resolutions working as long as I didn’t select 1280×1024. Since that’s what I (and the OS) wanted, I went for the updated driver.
- Restart
- Press F8 to pull up advanced boot menu
- Select Enable low-resolution video (640×480)
- Setup will continue… (albeit in a low resolution)
- Give Setup the information it needs (account, PC name, password and so on)
- Run Windows Update and install anything required
- Restart when prompted, be sure to select low-resolution mode during boot..
- Run Windows Update again
- Install the optional NVIDIA updates (there’s only 1 update if you installed w7 64bit)
- Post install, Windows will set the res to 1280×1024 and you’re done.
That’s all folks, start installing your apps and see what works 