Windows 7: Restore Win7 Image to Advanced Format Disk - Not Genuine Windows

Yes you'll want to read the Manual on the WD Downloads page which is quite easy to understand and contains a section on creating bootable Rescue media: http://support.wdc.com/download/note...erguide_en.pdf

I found the solution - at least for my comuter - to solve the Genuine Windows problem caused by disk duplication to replace a disk on a computer.

The non-Genuine installation on the new replacement drive became Genuine after installing updated drivers for Intel® Rapid Storage Technology.

I ran the this driver update and rebooted twice and now it is Genuine.

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...&DwnldID=20624

Hi, if you get "Windows Setup could not configure Windows on this computer’s hardware." error while installing Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, the problem is with the HDD drive. Actually its format.
If you get this error, you probably have an AF (Advanced Format) HDD and your BIOS drives it with RAID (as vendor default) and Windows setup does not recognizes it after it copies setup files (funny eh?). Windows searches AHCI driven AF disk to continue. So you get this error message.
Don't worry, it has solution.
　
Here is how to do it:
　
Option 1: (as Microsoft tells, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2466753/en-us)
-Configure your BIOS, change control method RAID to AHCI or IDE/ATA
-Get your chipset AHCI drivers from intel and load them when setup asks (at the screen that you choose where to install windows, there is a button labeled as "Load Drivers")
　
Ok, pretty easy, isn't it? NOPE,
You may have a BIOS that can not be configured by user. And you may download AHCI drivers from intel but WHICH ONE? (first you have to determine your chipset, not a big deal, follow...)
　
Option 2: (as told by users that experienced this problem)
-Remove your harddisk drive, mount it to another computer, setup windows, when it completes the configuration step and restarts, turn off, remove drive, mount back to original place and continue.
　
Well, you can do this if you are experienced to remove and replace hardware, or if you don't have problem about your warranty (yes for some brands, removing your hard disk drive voids warranty terms)
　
Option 3: (long way)
what you need:
-Hiren's Boot CD 15 (or usb flash drive with a capacity to have Hiren's Boot Disk 15 iso and BOOTABLE! ) (How to make it bootable? Follow steps of ADDENDUM 1)
-windows setup dvd (or dvd image if you don't have an optical drive online - follow steps of ADDENDUM 2)
-a tool that determines your chipset (http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18498&keyword=Intel+Chipset+Identification+Utility&lang=eng)
-intel AHCI drivers for your chipset (http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/imsm/sb/CS-031502.htm)
-patience ..
　
ok, how to do it:
1. Put your Windows setup dvd (or plug in your bootable usb with windows setup) and boot from it (i know it gives you error at the end but we won't go until the end)
2. start setup and partition your hdd within the setup. (c has to be below 100gb - i don't know why but it works )
3. DO NOT CONTINUE SETUP
4. Cancel the setup and reboot, put your HBCD into optical drive or plug your bootable usb with HBCD inside and boot from it.
5. run mini windows xp
6. format your C: partition (as NTFS and 512k allocation size)
(that will remove AF property)
7. run intel chipset identification tool and download your AHCI driver from intel, copy files to usb (unzipped)
8. reboot and boot with Windows setup dvd or usb with windows setup
9. when you get back to window that you choose where to install windows, push "load drivers" button and "browse" to your usb drive, install the corresponding AHCI driver.
10. continue as instructed.
　
ADDENDUM 1:
How to make a usb bootable with Hiren's Boot CD image inside?
1. Download Hiren's Boot Disk iso file from http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/
2. Download "A Bootable USB" tool and follow the steps here http://www.askvg.com/a-bootable-usb-utility-to-create-bootable-usb-drive-to-install-windows-vista-server-2008-and-7/
　
ADDENDUM 2:
If you dont have an optical drive and you have to install windows from usb, you may use either two bootable usb flash drives, one with Hiren's Boot CD and another with Windows setup OR you may do it with one usb flash
if you want to use two seperate flash drives, use the step 2 of addendum 1 for both
if you want to put all in one:
1. Download Yumi Multiboot tool from here http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/ and follow steps.
2. When you have to boot either for Hiren's Boot Cd or Windows Setup, select it from menu and continue.
　
that is it.

Thanks for all the good information. On my Thinkpad T500 it was a problem with the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology drivers which required driver reinstallaton after using Windows Disk Imaging to move the installation from 1 disk to any other disk. This driver issue broke Genuine Windows and prevented an inplace upgrade until the drivers were reinstalled.