Follow the steps given here to Clean Install Windows 7 which are the same if you have retail.
This time delete all partitions on the HD using Custom install Drive Options shown below, then click Next to let installer create and format your install partition and begin:
Report back the exact wording of any error that occurs, or capture a camera snap to post back.
"Could not configure Windows to run on this computer's hardware".
I don't know what could be wrong with it. I removed some RAM, removed the network adapter because removing the nonessential components was recommended. The only new device is the HDD itself.
“Windows Setup could not configure Windows on this computer’s hardware” installation error on a Windows 7-based or a Windows Server 2008 R2-based computer
You're apparently trying to do an in-place Upgrade. I gave you the steps in my last post to correctly Clean Install Windows 7 by deleting both partitions and creating new ones or just clicking Next to let installer do it for you.
After following those steps, I received this error message:
"Windows Setup cannot configure Windows to run on this computer's hardware."
Followed the steps for a clean install to the letter.
Reset BIOS to defaults: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS
While in BIOS setup set SATA controller to AHCI to try install, then IDE mode if it fails.
The error normally means the BIOS is configured with RAID.
Quote