"Windows setup could not configure windows to run on this computer’s hardware"

[MechanicalMan]

Hello,

My old HDD on my HPE-110 died so i replaced it with a new model from another manufacturer. After using the recovery disks, i encountered this error message at 'Setup services starting':

"Windows setup could not configure windows to run on this computer’s hardware"

I tried to reinstall several times but to no avail. System diagnostics didnt show any problems. I am bit out of ideas at this point.

My config:

- Intel Core i5-750

- HPE-110be

- Win 7 Home 64

- 8GB RAM

- GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU

- HDD Toshiba P300 1Tb

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

MM

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Unfortunately, i can't help you with why the recovery disks aren't working, but if you can read all 25 characters of the W7 product key on your PC's case, see if you can make your own plain W7 installation media to install W7 that way.

If you only have one hard drive, make sure that the BIOS' drive controller setting is on AHCI prior to installing W7.

Click on the Windows ISO Downloader.exe link to download the tool to create the W7 ISO file download.

Select the W7 COEM ISO file download version for the product key the OS is good for, which is the OEM operating system ISO file.

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-downl...

I have zipped up and attached the Microsoft utility below, that will allow you to either put the file on a USB flash drive or burn it to a DVD.

Then you can install the drivers and available software you need from your PC's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Pavilion-Elite-HPE-100-Desktop-PC-series/4079700

[MechanicalMan]

Thank you for you reply!

I followed your instructions but when i try to create the bootable USB device using the Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool, i am seeing this message:

"Files copied successfully. However, we were unable to run bootsect to make the USB device bootable."

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

I would try burning the ISO file to a DVD as an alternative.

You can either use that tool or your DVD buring program's Burn ISO file option.

Or you can use this free DVD burning software that I have used for years.

When you launch the program a menu will appear.  You want the 'Burn ISO Image' selection (4th one on the list).

https://download.cdburnerxp.se/minimal/31b43dc0d59e449c1fc3cdd2f2a0bc98/5bec63de/cdbxp_setup_4.5.8.7...

Burn the DVD at the slowest possible speed you can, so you get a nice strong burn.

You can also try a different software option like Rufus to create a bootable USB flash drive.

http://rufususb.com/

[MechanicalMan]

Using Rufus did the trick. Now W7 has been installed and everything is running smoothly. Problem solved. 🙂

Thank you for your help. Much appreciated.

Cheers

- MM.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.