Install hangs on black screen with mouse after "Completing Installation"

Hi all!

I have a Dell Zino HD. It came with Windows 7 64bit, but I would like to use that license on another computer so I want to swap in a copy of Vista that I own that is currently not in use.

I did a clean install of Vista, and it made it all the way through the install process, and when it rebooted it just stopped at a black screen with the mouse cursor arrow. I can move the arrow around, but it does nothing else.

I tried reinstalling, reinstalling on a secondary partition (wondering if there was something goofy with the front of the drive) all to the same effect. Safe mode will not boot either.

I have a copy of XP MCE lying around so I thought I would try that. I put that in, and it just got past loading the inital drivers and hit "Starting Windows" before I could do any input at all and then blue screened with a message that I should run CHKDSK /F.

I got the harddrive out, got it into my Windows 7 Professional-running desktop and ran CHKDSK. It found nothing wrong. I ran all of Dell's harddrive checks. It, too, found nothing wrong.

On a whim I tried Windows 7 again, and it worked just fine.

Any ideas on what on earth is going on?

System specs are:
Dell Zino HD (400)
ATI HD3200 Integrated graphics (running on VGA for this experiment)
3 GB RAM
500 GB HDD
1.6 Ghz single core AMD cpu.

Thanks so much guys!

Welcome,
I would prepare the HD properly, using this tutorial as a guide.
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Forums

and here is a guide for Seven installation problems.
I think that it applies to your situation, also
http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...on-installation-problems-their-solutions.html

Thank you sir! I shall give that a shot. Any reason why Widnows 7 should work like a charm and Vista and XP bomb out?

Can be several reasons
Hopefully you are doing clean install with format. If not be sure that is the way you go. A format does not really erase, it just removes markers, so that the drive can be over written. Maybe in your case not good enough for an install and hence the reason I gave you one of the tutorials.
Another reason can be a question or problem with the key number. To solve that do not give the key when asked and untick activate automatically when I am on line. If that is the problem, you will install and have 30 days to activate by phone.

Alright!

I've been deleting partitions and making new ones for each install.

The media I'm using (7, Vista, and XP) is all from Dell (and going on a Dell system) so it doesn't ask for key on install.

Dell tech support is having me run memory tests (??) right now, but maybe tomorrow I can play around with the tutorials there. Just to be clear, this is going to wipe their diagnostic partition off the drive as well?

If you do a clean install the partition may remain, but may not work. The method that I suggest is start fresh, format the DVD; the partition will then be gone.
I doubt that its memory since Seven does install.

Well, the tech at Dell has opted to just send me a new harddrive (since it's still under warranty). I guess I'll give that a go first. Hopefully this machine isn't just anti-Vista.

But I'll keep these bookmarks around for when the drive arrives. Thank you so very much!

I would be more hopeful about memory or hard drive, if Seven would not install.
What kind of DVD for Vista is it upgrade or full retail?

It's the OEM disc from Dell. This model ship(ed) with Vista as an option. When I ordered it from their outlet, I had to be careful not to get one with Vista since I wanted a copy of 7.

*shrug*

No, the Vista DVD that will not install.

Oh, sorry, that's what I was talking about.

It's a DELL OEM copy that came with a laptop we own.

An OEM is tied for one computer for life, it cannot be moved to another computer. That being said, I do not know if it can be installed, but just a problem with activation or just cant be installed.

Actually, that's not quite accurate. The Dell discs, at least, have a universal serial key in them so that when they're installed on Dell Hardware, there's no need to input a key. I'm not quite sure of this, but with 7 you might have to put in a key later to ensure it's not being pirated. Then, typing the key from the COA sticker on the original computer works perfectly.

I'm currently running a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium we got on another Dell on this machine (which is the one that originally came with Vista). I'm doing so because I purchased a copy of 7 Professional to be able to run XP mode on the Dell that came with 7HP originally.

I've also used Dell discs to reinstall an OS on other makes (HP, home-built, etc.). There all that happens is you do need to input a serial key from the get-go.

I will remain in my postion. An OEM is tied to one computer.
If what you say is correct, and Ill go along with the universal key concept. My position can still be correct. OEM one machine only. The two statements are not mutually exclusive.
If what you are suggesting is correct. I can take your OEM DVD and use it in my Dell XPS 420, after if was used and removed from your computer.
What you suggest will work, if the OEM has not been used on another machine.

Yup! The license for the software is for one computer at a time, but the media itself will work for any computer.

OK, we seem to be at a point that we agree to disagree.
I would ask that if you, for a fact, find my position to be wrong and you do install with that pre used OEM, please post; so that you can help me, much in the same way thaat I have tried to help you.
Actually please get back either way.

Sure thing! I will report back with whatever I opt to do! Might also just install Ubuntu and leave all this silliness behind.

For the record, I have already done what I suggested is possible (install an OEM copy on one machine, and then when its removed from that machine install it on another one) and it works just fine. But I'll let you know if Vista ever ends up living on this little Zino.

Thanks, again, for all your help!

If you have done it already, Del may have made provisions about their OEM's. I do wish you success with any method that you decide to go along with.

Well, this gets stranger, or points to there not really being a hardware problem. Dell's Ubuntu 10.04 build installed perfectly fine. Only (known) problem seems to be that the rear audio jack (the headphone-type jack, not HDMI) doesn't work.

I'll give it a shot with Vista when they send the new harddrive, but it might just be something else weird going on that Vista just won't work for.