Newly built computer won't install Windows 8.1

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

tclark1986

Reputable
Oct 15, 2014
7
0
4,510
Hello all,

I have a newly built computer and I'm trying to install Windows 8.1 but it stops at the "installing updates" section, sits for a couple hours and then gives me the following error and cancels the installation:

"Windows could not update registry data in the installation."

I have no idea how to solve this problem and any help at all would be greatly appreciate!
 
Solution
J
if your drive is not a SSD
a freeze when you try to format::
check the cables to the drive and mother board, change the SATA port to a primary SATA controller.
(not a secondary SATA controller or Raid controller) make sure you BIOS is up to date, make sure your SATA mode is correct.
Confirm the drive is spinning if you have a spinning drive. Sometimes with modular power supplies you don't get a good power connection and the drive will not spin up. (hold the drive while it is spinning and try to rotate it. if it is spinning it will act like a gyroscope and resist the rotation) you can listen to the drive when you try to format and confirm that the heads are moving. if not check the data cables.

if these are ok, then I would...
Sort by date Sort by votes
OriginalCadaver

OriginalCadaver

Reputable
May 24, 2014
596
0
5,360
What version of Windows did you purchase? Is it an Upgrade, Full Install, Pro? You might be trying to install an upgrade version that is looking for a previously existing version of Windows. Also, is there an option to install updates after installation is complete?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

tclark1986

Reputable
Oct 15, 2014
7
0
4,510


It's the full version of Home Basic - I triple checked before I bought it. It doesn't give me any option at all to install the updates after the basic installation is complete.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

tclark1986

Reputable
Oct 15, 2014
7
0
4,510


It's an older HD that's been wiped. How do I do a low level format? And I haven't aborted an install attempt - Windows cancels it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
OriginalCadaver

OriginalCadaver

Reputable
May 24, 2014
596
0
5,360
When you first boot with the CD/DVD it should prompt you as to the partition that you want to use. Remove any existing partitions, create a new one and then it's going to give a warning about losing all exisitng data. If there are any options for express or quick format decline them. Let it do it's magic then try re-installing on the newly created and formated partition.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

tclark1986

Reputable
Oct 15, 2014
7
0
4,510


I've done that twice before and it gave me the same error. It also freezes a lot, including being on the "set up starting" screen for a good 15 to 20 minutes and also when I delete the partitions and format. Could it be just a bad hard drive?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
J

johnbl

Polypheme
Nov 4, 2012
10,072
185
67,090
when you format the hard drive don't do a quick format, do a full format. It will take some time but it will locate any bad sectors and any sectors with read errors and mark them as bad.

when you do the install of windows, unplug your network connection and don't install the updates until after you get the windows booted.

after you get windows booted but before you activate, run cmd.exe as an admin (windows key+x, then type A)
run the command
sfc.exe /scannow
this will look for and attempt to fix any file corruption on your system
if you have corruption you want to find out why and fix the problem.

if the command works and fixes any corruption then continue on:

then plug in the network connection, confirm that your version of windows is being activated and then
run the windows update via control panel and apply the updates.

if you have purchased a boot leg version of windows the activation might fail, if you have a built in activator the update will fail when you get to a certain security patch.



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

tclark1986

Reputable
Oct 15, 2014
7
0
4,510


I don't know how to run CHKDSK when I'm in windows. I think I might have to get a new hard drive.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

tclark1986

Reputable
Oct 15, 2014
7
0
4,510


It freezes when I try and format. And I've tried to install both connected and not connected to the network. Either way it tries to install the updates and won't. Now the "setup is starting" screen freezes on me for almost an hour before it'll go onto the screen where I can put in the product key.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
J

johnbl

Polypheme
Nov 4, 2012
10,072
185
67,090
if your drive is not a SSD
a freeze when you try to format::
check the cables to the drive and mother board, change the SATA port to a primary SATA controller.
(not a secondary SATA controller or Raid controller) make sure you BIOS is up to date, make sure your SATA mode is correct.
Confirm the drive is spinning if you have a spinning drive. Sometimes with modular power supplies you don't get a good power connection and the drive will not spin up. (hold the drive while it is spinning and try to rotate it. if it is spinning it will act like a gyroscope and resist the rotation) you can listen to the drive when you try to format and confirm that the heads are moving. if not check the data cables.

if these are ok, then I would suspect the drive as having some problems and would plug it into a second computer as a data drive and see if it will spin up when powered and if it can be accessed when a data cable is supplied.



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom