New SSD - Installing Windows 7 HP

Lovely Bloke

So, I got a Samsung 840 250gb SSD yesterday.

Decided to do a clean install rather than image the HDD.

Downloaded the iso for Win7 Home Premium, burned it to a dvd. Wrote down the Product Key from the bottom of the laptop.

Removed HDD, inserted SSD.

Booted machine, went though installation process from the DVD. Wasn't prompted to do anything, it just installed.

Problem is, it looks like beginner's Fisher Price Windows, doesn't seem to be able to go back to normal resolution. Doesn't pick up the wireless card, so cannot connect to the internet. The only icon on the desktop is Recycle Bin.

I then installed Linux Mint 14, as a dual boot option - which I always do, was the same on the HDD.

I ran Mint from the usb stick, it looked normal and connected to the internet via wireless. I installed it in about 5 minutes, downloaded some software (Chromium, Torrent Client) and was up and running, flawlessly in ten minutes or so from the time I booted from the USB Stick.

Can anyone advise what may have gone wrong with Windows 7, and how I could remedy it?

I like Windows 7, and would like to continue to use it.

Lovely Bloke

sugarman wrote: »

You need to download and install all the drivers for that specific model of pc, go to the hp website and search you model number, they'll all be there. You prob just need your display adaptors by the sounds of it, and your wireless.

If you right click computer, go properties, then on the left menu go to device manager. The devices not recognised with the yellow symbol beside them are the ones you need.

So I need to connect with the ethernt cable then, is that correct?

Skill Magill

Take a look at this thread

tuxy

Downlaod the drivers in Linux. Save the files to the windows partition or usb.

platinums

When installing lots of different computere with windows 7 most of the time it doesnt pick up the Network driver.. So i use 3DP-Net. Its a life saver , it is a small package but has the basic network driver for nearly every card out there, it may get you up and running easily as you wont have to track down a specific driver.

Once installed let window update do the rest, as it should get the drivers for the rest of your hardware eg devices not recognised with the yellow symbol beside them

Lovely Bloke

Just wanted to reply and say that everything seems ok now.

I had to manually install the Wireless drivers, but once I did that, Windows started updating itself, and after the second restart the video issue had righted itself.

Only think that remains "broken" is the touchpad is not doing the scrolling. Which is weird. I cna only see it on device maager as a "mouse" plugged in.

Strange, but not the end of the world.

Skill Magill

What laptop is it?

Lovely Bloke

eoing1 wrote: »

What laptop is it?

Emachines e442

I have 8gb of ram in it too, and the SSD.

It's good, but not great.

Skill Magill

You've tried the touchpad driver section here?

Lovely Bloke

eoing1 wrote: »

You've tried the touchpad driver section here?

Yep, but when I look at Device Manager, there is nothing with a yellow mark, and there isn't even a touch pad on it, I can see a mouse, and when I try to update the drivers, I'm told the device drivers are up to date.

Skill Magill

They probably download as an exe file, which means you have to run them. I'd do that :cool:
I've just checked,download the drivers unzip and look for the 64 application, that should do it

Lovely Bloke

eoing1 wrote: »

They probably download as an exe file, which means you have to run them. I'd do that :cool:

Will try it when I get home, cheers.

There are 6 Touchpad Drivers there, should I get and try them all?

Skill Magill

I downloaded the last one to have a look,( looks like its the latest one), go with that one. If it doesn't
yep go through the rest of them.

Lovely Bloke

eoing1 wrote: »

I downloaded the last one to have a look,( looks like its the latest one), go with that one. If it doesn't
yep go through the rest of them.

Cheers.

Skill Magill

Did those drivers work?

Lovely Bloke

eoing1 wrote: »

Did those drivers work?

I only tried the last one, and it didn't work.

I ran into another couple of issues also.

Started getting a message that my Product Key was invalid, I copied it directly off the bottom of the laptop.

Then, I installed some updates last night, just as I was going to bed, I waited until everything was done, and the laptop was shut down.

This morning it wouldn't boot, just got to the "Windows is Starting" with the logo on screen, then nothing.

It will boot into a "repair mode" which tried to roll back to a restore point, but still gets stuck, and I can see a log where I can read "a patch is causing it not to boot" (paraphrased).

Jesus, I think I'll just clone my old HDD over at this stage.

I cannot believe the hassle and trouble and pain of installing windows compared to Linux Mint, completely different worlds.

Skill Magill

you could try booting to last known good configuration, it saved me a few times.
When its booting hit F6 and it should open an advanced menu with that option listed.
(although it might be F8 I'm not sure:))

Lovely Bloke

eoing1 wrote: »

you could try booting to last known good configuration, it saved me a few times.
When its booting hit F6 and it should open an advanced menu with that option listed.
(although it might be F8 I'm not sure:))

Probably be my last post in this thread, but just a final update. I think I'm finally fully sorted.

The issue in the quoted post, that worked and I've turned off auto updates for a while.

I got the touchpad working by hooking the old HDD into a caddy, and installing the drivers from it - simple solution really.

The Product Key issue I was getting - I just re-entered the one from the bottom of the laptop - that worked fine.