Windows 7: Trouble Installing Windows 7 "cannot install to this disk"

Recently my nephew's netbook has crashed. Windows 7 Starter would not load. I tried a few fixes which proved unsuccessful. Right now I am trying to install Windows 7 but am having much trouble. When the setup screen loads up and asks me to choose a partition the following items are present: Disk 0 Partition 1:RECOVERY, Disk 0 Partition 3: SYSTEM, Disk 0 Partition 3: Primary (40GB), Disk 0 Partition 4: Primary (178GB). It will not allow me to install to either Primary partition with the following reason: "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu.". I have also tried to format both the 3,4 partitions but always get an error message, although the one that had windows on is now showing nearly all memory space free. I would appreciate any help that could lead me in the right direction so I can get Windows 7 Starter installed on this computer. Thank you.

Have you tried running Factory Recovery from its partition? Tap the key(s) given to trigger it on first boot screen or in the User Manual for your model.

Try also deleting the last three partitions during booted Custom install using Drive Options: Clean Install Windows 7

If this fails try creating a Primary partition there and marking it Active using Step 2.2 here: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If install still fails, wipe the HD using the above tutorial and try install again both with and within pre-partitioning. Note that the Recovery Partition will be deleted if you do this so make sure it is not working first.

You can do the operations in the last two paragraphs with a graphical interface using free Partition Wizard bootable CD.

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


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theog - No, I did not make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks. Computer came like that. I went to the Samsung support website and found all the drivers and recovery software downloads that I will probably need if I ever get Windows installed. Any suggestions?

Gregrocker - Tried the clean install, no luck. Gives me an error 0x80300025. About to try the second option to see if that works. Thanks for the suggestions - Gregrocker - will let u know if any of them work.

How to use Samsung Recovery, make Recovery disks:
Samsung PC Software - Samsung Support Center - YouTube

Read the experience of Nicole here who accidentally deleted the small OEM Recovery partition during Clean Reinstall to Samsung, then was not able to get Elan Touchpad and Cam software working correctly. Samsung told her the software to make them work is accessed via the Recov partition and it could not be restored.

This all sounds very shady because the software posted on website is supposedly is the same software stored as apps on Recov partition, although there also remains the option then to run full Factory Recovery which appears to be their convoluted solution to how to use the clean reinstall DVD they provide.

Research shows that only using the DVD backup method for Recovery (not external HD storage) will reinstate the Recov partition if it fails or is deleted.

All in all, the worst ever reported clean reinstall experience with Samsung whose abysmal tech support bullied Nicole until the retailer took notice and replaced the machine.

To add to the outrage, they provide a Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD!

After I did a few things in the diskpart window I exited and later attempted to restart the computer. Now it starts loading windows and just stays on a black screen with the mouse active. This computer is frustrating me, never had this much trouble with any others. Any suggestions?

Hmmm................what "few things"?

I gave you a link to Partition Wizard to use to wipe the HD if Diskpart gives you problems.

I was able to load the setup in Safe Mode and I attempted to clean the disk in diskpart but i get the following error: DiskPart has encountered an error: The device is not ready.
See the System Event Log for more information.

How can I use the mini-partition tool? I haven't figured out how to create a bootable USB from the free version?

Any other suggestions? Do you think there is a problem with the hard drive?