Error code 0x8007045D when re-installing Windows 7

[GrahznyBratchny]

Hi, I'm trying to fix my brother's Dell Inspiron N5030 because he couldn't get windows to boot after running startup repair several times.

So I made a WIN 7 bootable USB using Wintoflash, booted the usb, and ran the startup repair utility 2-3 times with no luck. Then I tried to re-install windows. When I selected his primary hard drive it had a yellow triangle by it and it said something like "drive may fail soon." I went ahead and tried the install anyway and at 5% it stopped and I received error code 0x8007045D. So I ran chkdsk, and it deleted many corrupted files, but i still get the same error code when installing.

I don't believe this error is the fault of the installer because I used the same iso, program, and flash drive to re-install windows on my laptop (which is the same exact model) without any issue. Also, after a little prodding, I found out that his laptop had a fairly hard fall right around the time that it stopped booting windows. So, after all this, I'm pretty sure the culprit is his hardrive. My question is: how can I be sure of this?

One thing to note: he had his current hard drive installed aftermarket because his original hard drive failed.

 

[gregrocker]

Boot into BIOS setup to see if HD is detected. If not try reinstalling, check contacts, replace if necessary.

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. (If an EFI BIOS you'll need to decide if you want UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS. If UEFI follow these special steps for Install, otherwise enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module to proceed with normal install.) Set DVD drive first to boot, HD second, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into Windows 7 installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10, or enter System Recovery Options to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt. You are creating the partition here for the purpose of wiping the HD and marking Active which overcomes certain install failures.