Momentus XT, Momentus, Momentus Thin, MobileMax, and other notebook drives

[LockeZ]

I get an error message when installing Windows 7 to my new drive, which is a 750 GB Momentus internal notebook sata drive.  The drive's product number is 9JA1AV-573.

The error message is "Windows setup could not configure Windows to run on this computer's hardware."

Three days of research on google indicates that this is a problem with RAID and Advanced Format drives.  However, the packaging for my drive does not indicate that it is either RAID or Advanced format.  Despite this, I tried installing Intel's F8 drivers for Advanced Format drive support during Windows Setup, but this does not solve the problem.  I also tried changing the SATA controller mode from AHCI to Compatibility mode in the BIOS, and made sure that the hard drive is the first boot device.  I also tried every possible combination of those things.  Nothing works so far.

The laptop is a Toshiba Satellite L755-S5244.  I tried putting the drive in my other laptop, which is an HP G71, product number VM113UA#ABA, and running Windows Setup on that computer; got the same error message.  Tried all of the above steps again on the second laptop and still got the same error message every time.

Ran the diskpart tool and cleaned the drive to make sure no stray invisible partitions were somehow left on it.  Did not help. 

Checked the drive for errors and bad sectors.  Drive was fine and there was no improvement.

This is a brand new drive.  I still have the box and will return it if needed, but if I do so I need to know exactly what drive will work in my computer.  As I said there's nothing on this drive's packaging to even indicate that it uses advanced format, so this entire ordeal has been extremely confusing.

The Toshiba's old hard drive went bad, which is why I bought this one and need to install Windows from scratch.  I'm installing a fresh copy of Windows 7 Ultimate from an installation DVD.  I have used this disc to install Windows on other computers several times times before, including once on the HP laptop that I mentioned above (with a different hard drive).

In the Seagate website's troubleshooting section, the section for "error messages" does not include this error message, and the section for "I need to know how to install my hard drive" does not mention this error as a possibility.

[Jamesmcuk · Accepted solution]

I have just had this exact same problem with my Sony Vaio.  To cut a long story short it appears there are a few common causes.

1. The install CD does not include SP1 and or is not a Retail version. I got a image here http://www.windows7hacker.com/index.php/2009/11/download-retail-windows-7-iso-from-official-website but you will still need your VALID License Code and make sure to download the one including SP1

2. The BIOS has the drive setup as Raid / Sata / IDE / AHCI (change the setting until it installs)

3. The Computer requires that you install the SATA / AHCI Driver at the point in setup where you select the place to install windows (usually  the intel rapid storage management ).

4. The DIsc or Downloaded ISO is Damaged / Corrupted

5. You are attempting to install using a Virtual CD Drive from a USB Stick

6. You are installing via a USB Stick and have not removed it just before the first reboot (this was my cause)

7. New Hard Disk is Advanced Format (should have AF logo on it) and BIOS doesn't support it.

As always update to Latest BIOS if all else fails.

Hope this Helps point you in the right direction.

James

[LockeZ]

I had already tried everything else on your list, so I downloaded the ISO of Windows 7 with service pack 1 already built into it, and tried installing that.  Miraculously, it worked.  Thanks.

[kv1dr]

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Jamesmcuk wrote:

6. You are installing via a USB Stick and have not removed it just before the first reboot (this was my cause)

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Oh.... my... gosh.... I spent f**king three hours to install Windows 7 on friend's computer and everytime I get the same error until I tried the solution you wrote. I had to register to this forum just to say thank you.

[ZerMetKi]

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Jamesmcuk wrote:

6. You are installing via a USB Stick and have not removed it just before the first reboot (this was my cause)

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Oh.... my... gosh.... I spent f**king three hours to install Windows 7 on friend's computer and everytime I get the same error until I tried the solution you wrote. I had to register to this forum just to say thank you.

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You couln't say it better: same here xD Thank you sooooo much!

[ZerMetKi]

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Jamesmcuk wrote:

6. You are installing via a USB Stick and have not removed it just before the first reboot (this was my cause)

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Oh.... my... gosh.... I spent f**king three hours to install Windows 7 on friend's computer and everytime I get the same error until I tried the solution you wrote. I had to register to this forum just to say thank you.

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[qsalber]

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ZerMetKi wrote:

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Jamesmcuk wrote:

6. You are installing via a USB Stick and have not removed it just before the first reboot (this was my cause)

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Oh.... my... gosh.... I spent f**king three hours to install Windows 7 on friend's computer and everytime I get the same error until I tried the solution you wrote. I had to register to this forum just to say thank you.

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You couln't say it better: same here xD Thank you sooooo much!

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YES! Sir, YOU ARE MY HEREO! The same happened here - I spent 3h and did everything except removing the USB right before reboot. Worked perfectly. Thanks a million!

[qsalber]

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Jamesmcuk wrote:

6. You are installing via a USB Stick and have not removed it just before the first reboot (this was my cause)

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Oh.... my... gosh.... I spent f**king three hours to install Windows 7 on friend's computer and everytime I get the same error until I tried the solution you wrote. I had to register to this forum just to say thank you.

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