Error 0xc0000428 occurs installing on wiped formatted hard drive

Hello thanks for all the help. Here is a feedback as to what I have done.

As you suggested, on the desktop I installed Windows 7 Home Premium on the problem HDD. I then ran SysPrep to prepare for the move of the HDD to the laptop. Sysprep failed with the message: A fatal error ocurred while trying to sysprep the machine.

Since sysprep was unsuccessful, I decided to do take the alternative suggestion of running Paragon Adaptive Restore on the HD. When adjusting the OS for different hardware Paragon Adaptive Restore gave the message: Internal error during conversion operation. Can't open/create file source: Hard disk manager. Error code: 0x10023.

A Drive Fitness Test (DFT) utility provided by the Hitachi folks gave failure code: 0X75-Defective Device, Component Failure. Technical Result Code (TRC)=75006650. This may suggest that the HD is defective. However, I already purchased a new drive, tested and there was no change whatsoever. This leads me that perhaps the problem lies not with the HDD-but firmware.

Perhaps the next thing to try may be to upgrade the firmware (BIOS) of the laptop. This seems the way to go as there is no problem installing on the desktop, and the only thing different between the desktop and the laptop is the BIOS.

Upgrading the BIOS is the last thing that I would want to do for it is a bit risky, a mistake could make the laptop a doorstop.

Again, thanks for all the help. If you have any further thoughts, they are welcome.

Since all efforts failed, this past weekend I took the laptop to my repair shop. Even the technicians in the shop were baffled; however, the final diagnosis was a faulty motherboard. After replacing the motherboard all works fine. In fact, the hard drive was not defective (despite the Drive Fitness Test indicating otherwise). Thanks to each of you for all your ideas and help.

Thanks for posting back. Glad you got it sorted.