No response from install DVD

New build with:
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CPU: AMD Quad core Phenom II X4920
mobo: MSI 785GTM-E45
HDD: Seagate SATA 1T ST310000520AS

BIOS is set to boot first from SATA DVD reader/writer.

Computer powers up perfectly, shows splash screen, goes into BIOS control with depress of <del> key, etc

However, the installation routine will not start from either of my 64 bit Windows 7 install DVD's. Install routine will start from any 32 bit (Linux, windoze, etc) OS install CD, just not a 64 bit windows install DVD.

Furthermore, I have tried another SATA DVD, as well as a pata DVD reader/writer. Still no cigar

When I attempt to boot into the installation, the spash screen comes up, then goes, and there is a little "hyphen" cursor blinking (ad-infinitum) at the left edge of the screen. Nothing further.

I have used the same install DVD to install Win 7 on another (Intel in this case) new computer once before. It worked perfectly, the DVD has been in its sleeve ever since, and there is almost no possibility that it is damaged.

I am sure that the Phenom II is a 64 bit processor. What is going on here? Do I need to set some system jumper or what? TIA

Just a hunch!

I think the computer is having trouble locating the hard drive. The Linux cd will boot anyway.

Tell us about the hard drive ( is known to be good and did you pre-format it ) and re-check all the connections.

Just a hunch.

I have 2 of those hdd's and they work fine.

This is a brand new system with an unformatted HDD.

My plan was to format it during Win7 install. I do not know at this stage whether or not it is good.

Is it necessary to pre-format th HDD so that Win 7 can start an install from an optical drive? I am unfamiliar with this, but if it is necessary to do so, I will pull out a linux cd and format it. I assume it should be NTFS?

Please advise. Thanks.

Is it possible that the Win 7 64 bit install disk, which is about a year old, does not have the necessary drivers for this CPU?

If so, what is the easiest way to update the drivers?

BTW, this computer is for a non profit and the DVD's were provided under the MS non-profit support program. I also have a pair of XP Pro CD's, one 64 bit, the other 32 (also from the non-profit support program). All have been used to install other computers. None will boot in this system.

I do have a normal XP Pro 32 bit SP3 CD and it will boot, as will all of my recovery disks, linux disks, etc.

I am baffled. There must be some explanation other than the disks being bad. They aren't. It's just that this system will not read them from any of two SATA and one PATA drives. Any theories?

I have now installed XP Pro (32bit) from a commercial Windows CD.

"My Computer" sees the DVD drive and when I right click and press Open, it shows folders and files. But when I click on setup.exe, it gives the error message:

"\Setup.exe is not a valid Win32 application."

If I click on the D: drive (the DVD drive) from "My Computer", I get this message:

"The installation disk isn't compatible with your version of Windows. To upgrade, you need the correct installation disk. For more information, check your computer system's information. To install a new version of Windows, restart (reboot) your computer using the installation disk, and then select Custom (advanced.)"

So the DVD drive definitely works, at least to the extent of showing files and folders, and installing a "normal" XP Pro 32 bit Win O/S, and upgrading same with the NP CD,

and the HDD works.

Also this seems to confirm that it is not a cable issue.

The PSU is only 400W, so it might be a bit thin for a quad core, but given that it has supported the install of XP Pro 32 bit and boots properly, I don't think this is what is stopping the 64 bit install.

I think it either has to be a mobo jumper issue, a BIOS issue, or a driver issue preventing the 64 bit DVD from booting/installing.

The XP errors are related to the fact that you cannot execute the 64 bits installation routine under the 32 bits OS.

You should try the DVD in a different system, just to see if the routine would start normally and that would exclude the possibility of errors in the DVD itself.

Booted all three 64 bit Win 7 install DVD's in my Intel 64 bit machine. Stopped the install as I have no wish to overwrite my own computer, but it started up just fine.

Also Ubuntu 8.04 64 bit linux installed perfectly on the new build computer.

I'm out of ideas.

Just to be clear, are you using upgrade media? (It shouldn't matter). Are you thinking it's an AMD problem?

maybe its the boot order ? move the primary hdd (win7) first or if trying to install win 7 put dvd first in boot order

Have decided that I have spent enough of my and your valuable time on this. The use of the computer will not be greatly compromised by running XP, so I am just going to install XP Pro and leave it at that. We can't win them all.

Many thanks for all the good suggestions and guidance.