Trouble Installing Windows 7

[wantedSpidy]

Well, I've been unable to install Wndows 7 64 bit (or 32 bit for that matter either) on my machine.

- Shuttle SG31G2 Intel Socket T(LGA775)
- Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz L
- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
- ASUS Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3
- 160GB raptor SATA
- SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA
I bought this: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2077122&highlight=
and just replaced the HDD with a raptor.

I got a copy of Windows 7 Professional from the msft store, so the DVD is straight from them.

Whenever I try to install Windows 7, the installation hangs at "Expanding Windows Files" and then I get this message - "Windows Cannot Install required files. The file does not exist. Make sure all the files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error code: 0x80070002".

Obviously I've googled the issue, and most common problems are:
- People who burnt their DVD's from iso's, their DVD'd were corrupt. Can't be my case, coz I got the DVD's direct from msft. And the odds of both the DVD's from the store being corrupt are low.
- Bad RAM, running Memtest as I type this.
- Issues with SATA DVD drives: but I'm able to install XP fine from the DVD drive.


Things I've noticed/done, that might help:
-When I reboot immediately after this error, my HDD doesn't get detected by install or in the BIOS. After I remove the power cable for 20-30 seconds, and then restart it detects the HDD fine. However I've been able to install windows XP successfully without changing anything.
-It can't be an issue with the DVD drive either, because I tried installing from a flash drive too and I got the same error.
- I tried upgrading from XP. The install process goes on a bit longer, but after a while I get the BSOD at 33% "expanding windows files".

I'm stumped ....

 

[jaqie]

tried changing SATA from native to AHCI mode?

My best friend has a rather similar shuttle and it won't work with win7 unless the SATA controller is in AHCI (native) mode.

 

[Paperlantern]

tried changing SATA from native to AHCI mode?

My best friend has a rather similar shuttle and it won't work with win7 unless the SATA controller is in AHCI (native) mode.

X2, likewise the SATA emulation mode may need changed.

 

[hans007]

i've had this same problem bu tonly on one specific SSD drive and only in x64 windows 7 (x86 installs fine for some reason).

Microsoft has screwed something up in the installer as there are lots of random postings online about win7 problems with the expanding files stage.

 

[wantedSpidy]

I'm back refreshed after a short vacation! lol

With regards to the SATA controller the emulation setting is locked in the bios. Yes I did update the bios. I'm going to connect my hdd via USB and try installing. Even if it works it'll probably take hours this way!