Trouble Installing Windows 7 "cannot install to this disk"

Are you aware the cleaning the HD and installing the OS are done in Boot Mode, not Safe Mode?

Where did you get the Win7 installation DVD? Did you burn it yourself? If so confirm the ISO and burn another using ImgBurn at 4x speed
How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

Or write the ISO to flash stick using Universal USB Installer with Win7 in dropdown menu. Boot under USB, Removable or HD's.

Then follow these steps to get a perfect clean reinstall of factory OEM: Reinstalling Windows 7

Yes, I am aware but it doesn't boot up to the setup screen unless I choose safe mode. Regardless, I can get to the setup screen and perform actions in diskpart or attempt to install windows but it is not detecting the hard drive, but it is there because it shows up in the BIOS. Sometimes the disk shows up and other times it doesn't. Either way when I attempt to install, or do any type of partition, formatting, it fails. The problem seems to be that the drive is not being detected correctly, therefore it won't allow me to do a clean install.

I am booting windows from a usb (netbook doesn't have dvd drive). I have tried 2 different versions and it doesn't make any difference.

After our experience with a clean reinstall on Nicole's Samsung laptop I recounted to you earlier I would want to try to repair your laptop first so that you can get it started to make the Recovery Disks and keep the HD Recov partition intact. It's possible that if it is set up like Nicole's that key software will not work correctly when clean reinstalled - in her case the webcam and touchpad gesture features. You should at least be aware of this by reading through her thread to see what you might expect if you are able to clean reinstall to it: New laptop, changing partition disks?

So I would try repairs first once we help get you a bootable installer which works. Choose Repair My Computer on second screen, run Startup Repair repeatedly, report back what it finds.

Where did you get the Win7 Installer? Is it provided by Samsung? If you're confident of the ISO file then try writing it to flash stick using Universal USB Installer with Win7 in the dropdown menu. Boot under USB, Removable or HD's using one-time BIOS BOot Menu key given on first screen, or set stick to boot first in BIOS setup.

If there is any question of the ISO file download this one then Unlock any version using eicfg removal tool, write to stick, try repairs, later if necessary install your licensed version: Win7 Home Premium x86 English Official ISO download .

Bdr187 said:

Yes, I am aware but it doesn't boot up to the setup screen unless I choose safe mode. Regardless, I can get to the setup screen and perform actions in diskpart or attempt to install windows but it is not detecting the hard drive, but it is there because it shows up in the BIOS. Sometimes the disk shows up and other times it doesn't. Either way when I attempt to install, or do any type of partition, formatting, it fails. The problem seems to be that the drive is not being detected correctly, therefore it won't allow me to do a clean install.

I am booting windows from a usb (netbook doesn't have dvd drive). I have tried 2 different versions and it doesn't make any difference.

I would Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

System Repair tool is not working. It has been running for at least 12 hours and still says: "Attempting repairs...". I will try running diagnostics on the hard drive.

Ran diagnostics on the hard drive. Service code => AJ36 : Bad Sector. Any salvaging this hard drive?

The diagnostics CD can also sometimes repair the HD. It may take several passes. It should tell you if it does.

I always follow up diagnostics/repair CD with Disk Check - if necessary run from Repair Command Line and creating a full disk partition to get the whole HD.

I ran the diagnostic but it never completed. It was running for 14 hours and seemed to be stuck. I stopped it and that is when I got the error message.

dskchk did not allow me to perform any functions on c:, stating it was RAW

Should I try any of the other options from the ES-tool (Samsung hd diagnostic) - they include: low level format, dco set max address, set max address, set max udma mode, aam mode, lba mode, enable smart, disable smart, information, auto detect

Also I am running this tool from the Ultimate Boot Cd which has other hd tools that include: disk wiping, cloning, editing, boot management, data recovery, device info and management, installation, partition management

Are any of those useful?

Can you see any data using data recovery or the Win7 DVD or Repair CD this way: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

What diagnostics are you using exactly? Try another one on the Ultimate boot CD, and use the HD maker's from here: HD Diagnostic

I am using the tool for Samsung hard drives. I have tried other tools and they do not work. A few of them detect the drive but errors occurs as soon as a test is run.

There are no files to view in the recovery console. The C: drive is empty. If I try and click on it, it just says it needs formatted.

At this point I am not worried about the driver issue that may happen. I just want to see if I can salvage the hard drive and re-install windows.