Windows 7 install keeps returning to "Install Now" window

tealfan,

Thank you for contacting the Dell Community Forums.  Let me make sure I understand you correctly:  you insert the second disc from the upgrade kit, select the Install Now option, and the system performs the compatibility test again, instead of starting the upgrade process?

tealfan,

Thanks for the update.  That is definitely unusual.  Have you tried running the Windows 7 upgrade from a clean boot?  If not, I think that's the next thing you should try.  To clean boot Windows Vista, follow these steps.  Please try the clean boot and post the results here.

Yes that's right.

tealfan,

I'm sorry to hear the clean boot didn't resolve your issue.  Does your user name have any special characters in it (like &, *, or %)?  Apparently, that can sometimes cause the issue you described.  Take a look at this forum thread, and see if it helps.  Please post here if you are still having problems.

1. I put the DVD in and the window comes up where you choose "Check Compatibility Online" or "Install Now"
2. I click on Install Now
3. Message says "Setup is copying temporary files"
4. Message says "Setup is starting"
5. I select "Go online to get latest updates"
6. It downloads some file(s)
7. I select "Accept license terms"
8. I click on "Upgrade"
9. Message says "Checking compatibility"
10. Compatibility Report window comes up and it's empty
11. I click on Close.
12. The window from Step 1 pops-up again.  The one that lets you choose "Check Compatibility Online" or "Install Now"

tealfan,

Try this, just for the sake of troubleshooting:  Create a new user account, call it "test" (without the quotes), and make sure it has administrator privileges (by default, Windows Vista user accounts generally do), then log in to that account and try the upgrade again.  I think this may still have something to do with your user account, even though you removed the special character.

Still no luck.  My user name did indeed have a "&" in it, so I took it out via the User Accounts control panel.  I did a clean boot and then started from the very beginning this time (with the Upgrade Assistant).  Assistant removed my wireless drivers for incompatibility (like it did before).  Still the same result.

That did the trick.  After a couple more stops and starts I was able to get it installed.  I had to uninstall Zone Alarm, restart and then restart again.  Thanks!