New drive fails to install windows 7 but will install ubuntu

[talorigomat]

my computer is a Toshiba Satellite C650-1CR with Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. I has a Toshiba MK3265GSXV hard drive. When I started the computer a few days ago I received an error message saying Check Cable connection. No bootable device. I checked the BIOS and the hard drive wasn't detected there so I suspected a the drive had failed. I bought a brand new drive, Toshiba MK3265GSXF. I changed the BIOS setting so that the DVD drive is the primary boot device and run the machines recovery disk. It indicates the Windows files are being loaded but then displays a message saying there is a communication failure and suggests it may be the CD ROM or a USB device has been detached. A friend recommended first installing Windows XP so as to partition and format the new drive but I could find my copy. I however installed Ubuntu without any problems. I then tried again with the computer's recovery disk but still received the same message. How can I get Windows 7 back onto my computer?

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup to confirm new HD is detected. Reset BIOS 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, or 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 SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
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 marking it Active which overcomes certain install failures.