Windows setup cannot configure Windows to hardware? Why?

Confused Dood · 03 Dec 2011

Hey. I was recently using my computer, when I got the message, "potentially harmful software detected." I clicked the take action option, but nothing happened. So, I turned off my tower, and turned it back on. It wouldn't get to the user sign in process. It just kept with it's blank screen. So, I've had a similar problem before, so I reset my computer to factory condition, since I don't have anything vital on it. I ran start up repair, which worked fine. I ran tests which worked fine and said it passed the entirety of the basic test. I did a more specific hard-drive test, and it passed that. So, I reset the computer to factory condition, and it goes well to that point.But then it gets to the "Setting up services" part of the resetting your computer, and it loads to installing services, but then it will say, "Windows setup cannot configure Windows to this hardware." or something to that affect. Then I'll get a message saying "Windows could not complete installation. Restart instillation." And it'll go no further, even when I reboot. What's wrong? If it helps, I use an HP 2009m. Like I said, I've had to restore to factory conditions before, but I've never gotten this problem.

gregrocker · 03 Dec 2011

The warning message sounds like a fake AV scan virus, trying to trick you into running it since it cannot get out of the webpage pop-up unless you run it.

You should have a good AV like free Microsoft Security Essentials with the Win7 Firewall kept up to date via Windows Updates. Relying on factory recovery to protect you is faulty because it can fail as it appears to have done.

If Factory Recovery fails when run from its partition on the HD at boot, your options are to boot the Recovery Disks you should have made when you set up the computer, or order them from Tech Support.

In the case of possible serious infection, I would wipe the HD first: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation. You can run this from a System Repair Disk which also should have been made earlier in case Win7 stops booting so you can repair from disk.

There is another option which is to use a Win7 installation DVD for your version to get a superior Clean Reinstall of the OS using the Product Key on the COA sticker attached to machine. This leaves out all of the Factory Bloatware and useless factory utilties which have much better versions in Win7 - this crapware is worst of all on HP's. Here are steps to get a perfect reinstall of just the Win7 OS: Reinstalling Windows 7

And here is the ISO to burn to DVD or write to flash stick using the tool below it: Official ISO Downloads Windows 7 Home Premium x64 English
Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool

Confused Dood · 03 Dec 2011

Um, so, if I create a CD from this link Repair CD - System Repair Disk

I'll be able to repair my computer, correct?

gregrocker · 03 Dec 2011

I didn't give you steps to attempt to repair WIn7 because if it failed in the middle of factory Recovery then there is rarely an OS left to repair. But if you want to try:

First try booting into Safe Mode with Networking to install, update and run a full scan with Malwarebytes

If Safe Mode is not working, download, burn to CD or write to flash stick, boot and run a full scan with Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.

Once the System is clean, boot into System Recovery Options via the F8 menu or disk as shown in tutorial, run Startup Repair repeatedly no matter what it reports. Post back results.

If this fails, try System Restore from Recovery Options list, then if that fails open a Command Line to run SFC -SCANNOW Run in Command Prompt at Boot

As a last resort you can Explore C with free Partition Wizard bootable CD, make sure C or the 100mb System Reserved partition (preferred) is marked Active, then click on HD to highlight it, from Disk tab select Rebuild MBR, Apply. If Win7 doesn't start, run Startup Repair 3 Separate Times.

If these all fail you can copy out your data using your Windows 7 DVD or Repair CD: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console or Paragon Rescue CD.
System Repair Disc - Create

Then clean reinstall using Product Key on COA sticker:
Clean Reinstalling Windows 7

Confused Dood · 04 Dec 2011

Okay, Safe Mode with networking doesn't work, MSSS scanned and identified the virus, but was unable to get rid of it. The virus name started with something similar to Auro. I'd get a more exact name, but MSSS won't work anymore. I used System Restore afterwards, and now apparently MSSS needs to update, even though I'm still using the disc. When I run Start-up repair, it goes for a little bit, then goes back to the System Recovery page before I can see my results. Then when I try to run it again, it says it's already running. I get the same results from the start-up repair CD. Also, this HP came installed with Windows 7, so I don't have any CD.

gregrocker · 04 Dec 2011

I believe MSSS should try to connect to the web to update from boot, or you can try another bootable AV to kill the infection so that Startup Repair or SFC can attempt to repair System Files: FREE Bootable AntiVirus Rescue CDs Download List.

You can also post up the infection by name in our Security forum for help on rooting it out.

I gave further steps to run SFC from Command Line if Startup Repair wouldn't run. What happens? Repairs may be blocked by continuiing infection.

You can attempt to disinfect then complete the steps given earlier, or skip to copying out any stranded files and running HP Factory Recovery from its HD partition at boot or disks which should have been made when setting up the computer: HP Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Or you can do a superior clean reinstall without the factory bloatware using the official Win7 Installation DVD following these steps to get a perfect clean reinstall of factory OEM:
Reinstalling Windows 7
Official ISO Downloads Windows 7 Home Premium x64 English