Installing Windows on Bare Hard Drive error 0x80300001

Recently I dropped my Acer Aspire 1420-2039 notebook damaging the hard drive.

I ordered a new WD Blue WD2500BEVT.

Unfortunately the week before I dropped my computer, I installed the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

So I downloaded an .iso file of Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, (What was originally installed on the computer when purchased) and downloaded the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool to re-install the OS using a USB Flash Drive since my computer does not have an optical disk.

When I get to the install screen, Windows will not let me select the hard drive with error 0x80300001 "Windows is unable to install to the selected location."

Usually other forums suggest selecting the proper drivers for the drive, however WD does not have drivers available for download saying it uses windows' default drivers.

If I create a new partition, say 20gb's, and then format it and attempt to install on it, I get an error saying "Setup was unable to create a system partition" and thus unable to advance.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Assuming this is a standard sata HDD-
If you don't want the system reserved partition then you could try formatting the drive with one full partition. If you delete the partition causing the drive partition to be unallocated Windows should create the default 100MB system reserved partition.

The problem is when I get to the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen, if I select Disk 0 (new WD Drive) the error will say:

Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the Setup log files for more information.

Now I have done this to my old hard drive and don't have a running OS on either.

If I create a partition the full size of the drive, I get the same error.

Write the installer to flash stick using the method given here, then follow these steps: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

If error repeats, try formatting and marking Active a partition using Step 2.2 here: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Report back for more steps if necessary.

I'm still getting the same error. Thanks for all the help but I think I'm going to bite the bullet and pick up an iPad!

dpgranger said:

I'm still getting the same error. Thanks for all the help but I think I'm going to bite the bullet and pick up an iPad!

Come on - stick with it. People will help you here they just help other people and you have to be patient and persistent.

If you want a clean install then maybe download the ISO from here.
Use the PID on the COA sticker which should be somewhere in your notebook. You have paid for this OS.

If you want a Factory Recovery will Acer sell you a set of factory recovery Disks?

Now you can also install a very useful toolkit called the Hirens boot CD to a USB and check that you didn't damage other things when you dropped your Notebook
http://sites.google.com/site/proyect...-with-grub4dos