Can anyone confirm this? 7 professional required for laptops with TPM?

The last 3 laptops I acquired for resale, I was unable to install 7 HP because of a set up error "Unable to configure one or more required devices".. all of them were well beyond the minimum requirements for windows 7
I was able to successfully install 7 professional in each of them, on the first attempt, but it cost me an extra $300 and several wasted hours. The only thing they all had in common was a TPM module.. could that be the reason?

Could be. Did you try applying an image with drivers removed? Acronis does this. Or remove them first yourself.

I don't know how TPM could block wiping the HD from Repair console Command Line, or autostarting Partition Wizard, then applying an image. It would have to allow reimaging the installed OS.

I did the install using grub4dos to mount an .iso of the the windows install DVD to a flash drive.. the way I always do it. The thing is, I'm not even sure whether it is the presence of a TPM is causing the error, except for the fact that the three laptops in question all had a TPM, the one thing all of the computers in which I've successfully installed the home premium version lacked. In every case, I always deactivate the TPM first, but leave it visible to the OS. Next time I have a few hours to waste, I'll try disabling the TPM completely and see if that works

I'd try installing from a DVD, then if necessary wipe the HD first using DISKPART or Partition Wizard CD.

Now try install again from DVD, or if necessary apply a Win7 backup image - even with drivers removed if required.

Appreciate your help.. at this moment I'm testing my theory on a Thinkpad T42 with a TPM using a retail home premium DVD..

The thing is, most of my last 50 or so computer setups have been done using the same ISO image, with ei.cfg removed, and the only difference between a successful install and failed attempt was the version I selected in the last three laptops..

all prior setups using this method worked regardless of the version I chose.. I already purchased the windows disks to go with each computer, and in the long run, I haven't actually lost any money that I won't be able to recover later.. I'm just wondering if anyone knows if the presence of a TPM is definitely the cause of my setup errors and if the TPM service and drivers are only present in enterprise, professional and above.

According to this article you need at least Windows 7 Enterprise for TPM - Trusted Platform Module - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Disk encryption
Full disk encryption applications, such as the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature of Microsoft's Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Server 2008, and the Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate operating systems, can use this technology to protect the keys used to encrypt the computer's hard disks and provide integrity authentication for a trusted boot pathway (i.e. BIOS, boot sector, etc.). A number of third party full disk encryption products also support the TPM chip.

Could it screw up your system if active? I don't know.

I did a little research myself.. Full drive encryption is only a small part of the function of a TPM, and one of the reasons laptops built for large enterprises are much more expensive than those targeted for the general public. A laptop with a properly configured trusted platform module and Intel Active Management Technology can be remotely controlled by it's owner any time it's connected to any network, anywhere.. even when it's powered off ..you can even reinstall windows remotely to a laptop with a TPM and AMT over a network. Sometimes I get a batch of them used for dirt cheap, fix them up and sell them, and while they don't look as pretty as the average Studio XPS, the hardware inside them is usually the best available at the time of manufacture.

I just wasn't aware that the home versions of windows wouldn't install on a system that has one

But have you tried imaging?

+1.. got it work using a backup image with all drivers removed