Sony Vaio Hard Drive Failure: Windows setup could not configure ...

[ENBella]

Model No. VPCF115FM.
Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2007 preloaded.

Recently, received this error:

"SMART Failure Predicted on Hard Disk" and it prompted me to boot using F1 and then backup my data.



Step 1: I used Sony Vaio Care to create 2 sets of Recovery Disks and then used Drive Cloner RX to backup all of my data manually and a system image onto a new Seagate external hard drive.

Step 2: I purchased a new Hitachi 750 GB (7200 rpm) 2.5 SATA hard drive from Comp USA. The computer's original hard drive is a Hitachi HTS545050B9SA00 500 GB 5200 rpm.

Step 3: I removed the original HD and installed the new one. Then, inserted Recovery Disk 1 and then Disk 2. After the prompt to restart the computer to finalize Windows setup I received this error message:

"Windows setup could not configure windows to run on this computers hardware."
​

I then click okay and subsequently receive this message:

"Windows could not complete the installation. To install windows on this computer, restart the installation."​

Q: Is there a workaround to load Windows 7 in this instance and restore my computer to original factory settings using new HD?




Note: There are no outstanding issues with the laptop. The computer came preloaded with Windows 7; I have the product key on the computer base. It also came loaded with Microsoft Office, and retreived all of my licenses for the software on my computer using SIW.



Sony Vaio Hard Drive Failure, Sony Vaio Hard Disk Failure, Smart Failure, Windows Could Not Complete the Installation, Windows Setup Could Not Configure Windows to Run on this Computer, Windows 7, Sony Vaio Hard Disk Failure, Sony Viao Laptop

 

[theog]

Try using a HD Drive under 2gb.

 

[ENBella]

Try using a HD Drive under 2gb.

To ensure I understand what you are suggesting:

The computer came loaded with a 500 GB 5200 HD. I purchased a new 750 GB (7200 rpm) 2.5 SATA hard drive to replace it.

You're recommending that I use a HD under 2GB? What is the rationale?

 

[theog]

I missed read, run Sony Hardware Diagostics
How to use Sony Hardware Diagostics:
View Document

 

[ENBella]

I missed read, run Sony Hardware Diagostics
How to use Sony Hardware Diagostics:
View Document

It's a new HD. I ran diagnostics with the new HD installed and it works completely fine.

 

[whs]

Is the new HD initialized.

 

[ENBella]

Is the new HD initialized.

When you run the Sony Vaio Recovery Disks, it formats the C: Drive. Is there some other steps I should take before running recovery after I install the new HD?

 

[whs]

Then it is OK.

 

[theog]

You may need to replace the Recovery Disks.

How to order Sony Recovery disks:
1.Go to http://servicesales.sel.sony.com.
2.Enter your computer's model number (for example, PCV-XXXX), and click List Parts and accessories.
3.Follow the online instructions to order the Recovery Media Kit.
If you are not able to access the Sony Direct Accessories and Parts Center Web site, contact a customer service representative at 1-800-488-7669.

 

[ENBella]

Are there any experts that may be familiar with this error and how to fix it?


I removed the original hard drive and installed the new one. Then, inserted Recovery Disk 1 and then Disk 2. After the prompt to restart the computer to finalize Windows setup I received this error message:

"Windows setup could not configure windows to run on this computers hardware."

I then click okay and subsequently receive this message:

"Windows could not complete the installation. To install windows on this computer, restart the installation."

 

[esoterickal]

any answers

Sorry this isn't helpful but I'm having the EXACT same problem but with a wd hdd. Have spent hours trying to reinstall with recovery discs and then with Acronis but same problem you are hqving. Have you had any luck? I promise to post if I find a solution. Good luck!

 

[ENBella]

You may need to replace the Recovery Disks.

How to order Sony Recovery disks:
1.Go to http://servicesales.sel.sony.com.
2.Enter your computer's model number (for example, PCV-XXXX), and click List Parts and accessories.
3.Follow the online instructions to order the Recovery Media Kit.
If you are not able to access the Sony Direct Accessories and Parts Center Web site, contact a customer service representative at 1-800-488-7669.

Sony Tech Support is a Nightmare! If you are out of warranty - they charge $45 to continue the call whether or not they solve your issue.

Upon recommendation, I purchased a new Vaio Recovery Media Kit for $75 -- and what a complete waste.

After inserting Disk 3 -- at 18%, it repeatedly ejects the disk and asks you to insert the disk at least 15x.

After speaking to Parts Sales Technical Support (1800-488-7669), they offered an "accommodation" and will ship replacement software within 2 days given the disk is defective.

 

[ENBella]

This issue is still pending, but if anyone else is having this issue recover all of your software licenses using SIW if you have to re-install software that may have come preloaded on your laptop -- as mine did.

"SIW is an advanced System Information for Windows tool that gathers detailed information about your system properties and settings and displays it in an extremely comprehensible manner."

Link: SIW - System Information for Windows

 

[ENBella]

"Windows setup could not configure windows to run on this computers hardware."

"Windows could not complete the installation. To install windows on this computer, restart the installation."

After the prompting to purchase a Sony Recovery Media Disk, from a member on this thread and a Sony Tech, I did so. Big mistake!

Purchasing a Recovery Media Disk from SONY will not solve this problem. The Sony disks are Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) disks and they are customized for Sony hardware.

Your have two choices:

1. Purchase a Retail copy of windows 7 which is considerably more expensive and does not have any of the customized software Sony includes on their disks.

2. Purchase a generic OEM disk from someplace like Newegg or a local computer store.

In either case you will have to go to the Sony website to download any and all hardware drivers and utility software to gain full functionality of your system.

If anyone is familiar with a workaround, please share -- given many people experience this issue.

 

[envsounds]

Possible cure!

Model No. VPCF115FM.
Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2007 preloaded.

Recently, received this error:

"SMART Failure Predicted on Hard Disk" and it prompted me to boot using F1 and then backup my data.



Step 1: I used Sony Vaio Care to create 2 sets of Recovery Disks and then used Drive Cloner RX to backup all of my data manually and a system image onto a new Seagate external hard drive.

Step 2: I purchased a new Hitachi 750 GB (7200 rpm) 2.5 SATA hard drive from Comp USA. The computer's original hard drive is a Hitachi HTS545050B9SA00 500 GB 5200 rpm.

Step 3: I removed the original HD and installed the new one. Then, inserted Recovery Disk 1 and then Disk 2. After the prompt to restart the computer to finalize Windows setup I received this error message:

"Windows setup could not configure windows to run on this computers hardware."
​

I then click okay and subsequently receive this message:

<B>

"Windows could not complete the installation. To install windows on this computer, restart the installation."
​

</B>


Q: Is there a workaround to load Windows 7 in this instance and restore my computer to original factory settings using new HD?




Note: There are no outstanding issues with the laptop. The computer came preloaded with Windows 7; I have the product key on the computer base. It also came loaded with Microsoft Office, and retreived all of my licenses for the software on my computer using SIW.



Sony Vaio Hard Drive Failure, Sony Vaio Hard Disk Failure, Smart Failure, Windows Could Not Complete the Installation, Windows Setup Could Not Configure Windows to Run on this Computer, Windows 7, Sony Vaio Hard Disk Failure, Sony Viao Laptop

Check this site out I'm sure you will find it very helpful ....MORE SO THAN SONY!
Vaio F Series Clean Install Guide - F11 F12 F13 by Joe Bleau

 

[Weeburt1]

Sony and special format

I have had the very same issue. Come to find out, that the way sony setups the partition is not standard. So the recovery disks do not work unless the partitions are setup per their specs. They did not tell me what they were so I could manually recreate the partitions correctly. They told me to just by the harddisk from them. Then it would come with the correct partition configuration that will work with the recovery disks.

Or,

Buy or borrow a win 7 cd, install and use your lic key. Then somewhere on their sony website is a link that will allow you to download the software your laptop came with.

Really Sony, you can not create a recovery process that can use a standard hard drive off the shelf? This is 2012 and Win 7. Even Microsoft's windows 7 cd installs on an off the shelf Seagate drive..........

 

[MagusMagnus]

OEM (pre-installed) Windows 7 Home Premium, Microsoft EULA:

Activation associates the use of the software with a specific computer. During activation, the software will send information about the software and the computer to Microsoft. This information includes the version, language and product key of the software, the Internet protocol address of the computer, and information derived from the hardware configuration of the computer." - Section 4, Mandatory Validation.


In short, because the hard drive was replaced, this has broken your OEM Windows 7 license and it cannot be re-used with the original (or any other) system because it now believes since you changed ONE piece of the hardware (your HDD), that your system is now a different system from the one which it had originally tied itself to before (I don't know exactly for sure how the OS installer checks, but my guess is that it pulls the BIOS information up and if there has been a change to any hardware, it will reflect that there, send it to M$ who checks it against the original install record, and thus will result in the inability to restore your system with a new hard drive/other hardware). It used to be just the motherboard which would necessitate a new operating system license (or full retail) in past Windows OS, but now it is ANY of the internal hardware, including the HDD. Must really generate the $$$ for M$ on retail copies, I'll say that for sure.

Anyway, this same thing happened to me. I went through the same frustration for over two weeks when my HDD died on me and I'd tried to simply replace it myself. Before I figured it out, I'd tried using THREE self-made recovery images as well as TWO sets from the OEM (wasting another $20 for those too) and all FIVE recovery sets resulted in this very same error.

So, finally getting fed up I went out and got myself a full retail version (because, of course, M$ offers absolutely no support at all if you bought your system from an OEM and have an OEM version of their software), slammed the disk in there, loaded it, let it do it's thing and volla! It set up and has been running ever since.

Also, your OEM license key will NOT work with a retail installer disk. I'd tried doing that first and it wouldn't take. So... you will have to purchase a retail version license key and be sure never to lose it.

And, don't waste your money getting another OEM version online somewhere like Amazon, while marginally cheaper, the same thing would happen with the next HDD/other hardware failure. Just pay them the extra $40 or so ransom for a full retail copy to avoid future heartache.

 

[tqmbill]

Here is the true solution...

The problem is your old Sony disk has Win7 SP0. The disk drivers aren't compatible with newer hard disks. SP1 does not have this problem. Here is a solution:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2466753
An easier workaround (if you're like me, neither of those two options will work), it "should" work to borrow someone's actual Win7 disk from Msft with SP1 already on it. Just enter your activation key, not the borrowed disk. Now if I only knew where I could borrow the Win7 SP1 disk I need!

See also this discussion thread:
http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...vaio-recovery-problem-windows-setup-cant.html

Edit: DeaconFrost's post below has an even easier solution than borrowing an SP1 DVD--

"Just download a copy of the plain vanilla Windows 7 CD (I'll post the link). Get the one that matches your platform and version. Do a clean install, and load the drivers you can download from Sony's site for your laptop (do this first).

Then, use the recovery discs as drink coasters while you finish your install. Or frisbees.

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life "
​

 

[YP SanJose]

Acronis backup & recovery works for me

I got the same failing HDD problem in my Sony Vaio VPCEB26FX as stated in the beginning of this thread; it says the HDD is predicted to fail.

I quickly bought a new WD500GB HDD (~$90), a set of Sony recovery dvd (~$50), put the new HDD into the Vaio, ran the recovery dvd to format and install OEM WIN7 and SW to the new HDD, then the message says "....windows cannot complete the set up on this computer....".

Struggled for two weeks, I found this link and used the recommended simple backup/restore principle to successfully recover everything (I mean every single email, software, and everything).

http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/replace-your-hard-drive-using-free-windows-7-tools.

Assuming the failing HDD still runs on the laptop, it recommends a complete system image backing up from failing HDD onto an external HDD; replace/install a new HDD to the laptop, then restore the complete system image from the external HDD to the new HDD in the laptop. Done!

This way, there is no need to worry about the OEM licensing issue at all.

This is how it worked for me,

- One new HDD
- Sony Recovery DVD
- A 2nd laptop
- Acronis Backup & Recovery 11 Workstation
- Acronis bootable DVD (plus a blank CD disc)
- One STEC 1TB external USB HDD
- One USB thumb drive


1. First of all, my failing WD500GB in Sony Viao can still boot but takes 1hr for the winodws desktop to show up.

2. On another laptop (Lenovo), downloaded and created a copy of Acronis Backup & Recovery Workstation (15-days trial version) on a USB thumb drive. http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/download/backup-recovery/workstation/

3. Also need to create a Acronis bootable CD for later use; again on the other laptop (Lenovo),
- first downloaded the iso image form Win7 WAIK from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5753; burnt it to a CD, run the CD to install WAIK on this 2nd laptop (i.e. Lenovo)
- run the Acronis backup&recovery on 2nd laptop (Lenovo) to create Acronis bootable DVD.

4. Inserted the USB to Sony Vaio and launched Acronis to backup the failing WD500GB onto an external USB storage (STEC 1TB); it took more than 36hrs to backup the entire system image (~90GB, including Sony recovery partition, OS and User data partition, and reserved partition).

5. Here is the trick -- configure Acronis so it ignores all "read sector failures". Be patient as it takes more than 36 hours to backup ~90GB. Try removing pictures and video from the failing HDD before starting the backup, I bought an external USB HDD SHELL (~$15) and put the failing HDD in it so I can move pictures/video to another laptop.

6. When successfully completing the Acronis backup after many many hours, you are almost there. Before shutting down the power, put the Acronis bootable DVD (step #3) into the DVD drive for later use.

7. Since I already ran the Sony Recovery dvd on the new WD500GB HDD before I found this backup&restore method, the new HDD is already formatted and loaded with factory original system software (OS, apps, etc). I am not sure but I think bare unformatted HDD will not in this case.

8. With Acronis bootable DVD in, the power is off, removed the failing HDD and put the new (formated/loaded) HDD into my Sony Vaio laptop.

9. Turn on the laptop and boot from the Acronis bootable DVD, follow the instruction to select the Disk to restore. This takes ~45min for ~90GB.


10. When restore complete, just remove the DVD and turn power off.

11. Turn power back on and you will see your familiar desktop live and kicking.

I launched my remote DVR monitoring utility and immediately saw those familiar camera views from my front yard.

Hope this helps to those whose HDD is failing but not yet totally dead mechanically.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Just download a copy of the plain vanilla Windows 7 CD (I'll post the link). Get the one that matches your platform and version. Do a clean install, and load the drivers you can download from Sony's site for your laptop (do this first).

Then, use the recovery discs as drink coasters while you finish your install. Or frisbees.

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life