Cannot install Windows 8 as dual boot on HP

I have tried several suggestions but, so far, without luck.
This is an HP Envy, with Windows 7 OEM preinstalled. The Windows 8 installation goes smoothly right up to the last reboot. It goes successfully through the Boot manager, and then black screens with this message:

"The Computer Restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error. Windows installation cannot proceed. To install Windows, click OK to restart the computer and then restart the installation".

I can move this window around, but the only option is the "Enter OK - reboot".

Anyone had the problem and found a solution?

None, it seems? Well I may have narrowed it down to the Graphics driver. But there does not seem to be any way I could offer an alternative driver during or before the install sequence. fwiw, it will not boot into troubleshooting mode for Windows 8 either (safe mode.. etc..)

Hello David,

If you have not already, then you might download a new copy of the Windows 8 installation files to try installing with them instead. It's not uncommon for it to get corrupted if the download was interrupted.

Hope this may help some.

davehc, I've had this same issue/error with my HP AIO desktop since 8 RP was released. It always has taken several attempts to install 8 RP or Enterprise. Just keep trying. I believe it's because HP is a crappy brand, it installs well on my MSI notebook, however I'm going to leave 7 on it. Doesn't matter if I install using DVD or Flash drive via the Win 7 USB DVD download tool. This issue is the sole reason that I'm reluctant to buy Windows 8. I don't want to be out of $40.

Cat

No problems with the Install DVD, Both Technet and MSDN downloads. They install fine anywhere except, as Cat says, on my crappy HP laptop (and crappier Graphics chip!). but thanks anyway, Brink.

I don't know how to help. But Dave, can't you show me the screenshot of your partition manager? Got to have a look at it.

Hi Kevin.. Here you are:



I hve been tryinggg to install on D:, as I have done so many times on different computers, including Laptops

Seems totally normal to me.
That recovery partition, made yourself or coming from factory?

To Dave.
I asked the question above as I have a thought that HP might protect the Win 7 boot Section? Since you and most of us have installed on other machines without any issue. Far that I've noticed that when we install another MS OSes it will put the boot files on to active primary partition (in this case Windows 7 partition) to later manage it to be recognized for dual boot during start up.
That is my only my best guess.

No. There is no protection. The same laptop will install any flavour of Windows 7 without hitch. I have also tried moving the Windows 7 partition further along and reformatting the initial start partition, including writing the MBR - No change.

Another thought. How about alternating drive configuration between IDE and AHCI in BIOS. I did find few cases windows will completetely install but later won't boot.

davehc, just wanted to let you know, I purchased 8 Pro about an hour after my last post, & installed it the next morning.

It took 2 attempts for it to install, the very same error showed the first time. Being that I ran the Advisor from 8 RP, I didn't have to give up my OEM OS. The scan simply stated all was OK, a couple of apps needed updating, & offered me the $39.99 deal.

What did scare me at first, I thought it was going to do an upgrade install (it sure looked like it), but then I was offered the option to create media, which I did. I installed 8 Pro via the Win 7 USB DVD Download Tool, which is faster, & bad burns/DVD's aren't an issue.

8 Pro is humming along nicely on my HP desktop now. Glad that I seen where 8 CP/RP users were allowed to run the upgrade check from there, as I was going to stick with 7 if I had to give that up, it cost me $89 for a Windows Anytime Upgrade key to Pro. I wanted XP Mode, & still use it for testing.

I hope that you finally got it going, honestly I don't know why all of the failed installs. It didn't matter if it was in IDE or ACHI mode, same thing happened. Plus, there's some features of the HDD unavailable in IDE mode.

My next upgrade on here will be a SSD.

Cat

Thanks for the suggestions, Cat. But, there is a small but significant, confliction of interests. Mine is a Laptop, which may be having hardware problems. Yours is a desktop? But I'll try repeating the installation a few times to see if I get anywhere.

Actually davehc, though officially my computer is a PC, it consists primarily of laptop components, all the way down to the PSU. The only PC that I've laid eyes on with a laptop power supply. So is the RAM, DVD drive, built in wi-fi connection & probably more.

I've noticed since Day 1 of consumer beta testing, HP leads the way in problems, if not the computer, the printer won't work. But many times it's the computer, whether it's a laptop or PC. The Device Manager doesn't give much clue as to what's going on, either.

I feel fortunate that it installed on the second time for me, as when RP was released on 05/29, it took 6 attempts to install it. But CP on 02/29 installed perfectly the first time & never gave troubles for me. That was the weird thing, the further into the beta, the more issues arose.

The first thing that I done, once I got 8 Pro & Media Center installed was to image the drive, to keep from having to reinstall, as I dread that a lot.

Hope that you get it right soon.

Cat

Just a late follow up. Seems several are having the same problem with this particular computer. I have tried everything conceivable and now give up. I'll reinstall Windows 7 and resell the computer - even at a loss which will hurt my budget!

That is a misfortune. Sorry to hear that, Dave.
But, true there are some rubbish on pc products.