Windows 7 Restore/Install Error

I have a Toshiba Satellite A-215, all original hardware, that I was trying to do a restore on yesterday before I gave it to my friend. Well it was nearing the end of the installation progress, but had seemed to have stalled, when the computer got unplugged. That was very bad because the battery in it is shot and it will only run on AC power.
So it shut off during the install. I start it back up and I get this error:
"The computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered and unexpected error. Windows installation cannot proceed. To install Windows, click "OK" to restart the computer, and the restart installation."

I press okay and it restarts and gives the same error. I repeated this cycle a dozen times with no variance in the outcome. I tried putting in a BIOS disk and the original Vista disk that came with it. Nothing is making a difference. What should I do?

You might be using a Raid driver that will not support 7 try to change setting from bios

Well how do I go about that because I don't have an opportunity to do anything? As soon as the computer boots it says it checking something then brings up the error.

This is why it's best to make the Recovery Disks, run Recovery from its partition on HD first, then if it fails you have the disks as a secondary backup method to run it again.

If not then you can Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 the licensed version with the Product Key on bottom of laptop. Everything you need is provided in the tutorial including the disk and steps which will result in a perfect install for as long as you stick with the tools and methods given.

If you have a license for Win7 which you'd installed on there, then use it to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

If you prefer to go back to the Vista version which is on the COA sticker and its key is still readable then follow the same steps above but use Vista ISO download

I was finally able to get Windows 7 to install but now it isn't accepting my key. The same key that I used to set up the OS the first time. Any idea why?

Is this Win7 Upgrade version? If so you may need to skip the key during install then afterwards do the Option 3 workaround given in Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version to activate Upgrade version on a new or cleaned HD.

Otherwise the problem is almost always inputting an incorrect character.

If failure persists post back the exact error message or use How To Activate Windows 7 by Phone Step-by-Step Guide

I believe the Windows 7 I have is an upgrade version.
I don't recall seeing an option to skip the key input but I will look again when I get home.

If there is no Skip button then leave the key field blank. You can skip the key during install.

Was the HD wiped? Normally when booted the installer will see an OS to allow use of Upgrade version key. So if you inputted the key and it took it then that is not the issue. More likely it is incorrect characters.

What is the error messge exactly?