Sony VAIO Windows 7 Installation seemingly impossible

[Narcissus]

Hey all,

I recently purchased a Sony VAIO VGN-NW26M from a local retailer. I removed the Windows 7 Home Premium from the HDD along with the recovery partition as I intended to install Fedora 12 (a Linux distro) to test hardware compatibality. It worked great.
I have a licence for Windows 7 Ultimate, so I went to install it. One copy I have hangs on Expanding System Files, another one says that it needs a driver for the CD/DVD drive (even if I try to install from a USB).

Here are the steps I've taken to try and get around this:

• tried to install windows 7 ultimate x64, hangs on expanding system files
• same with vista
• and windows 7 ultimate x86
• windows xp installer BSOD's before it gets to partitioning
• all of the above was keeping the HDD in the laptop itself
• plugged hdd into my desktop
• windows xp install worked
• moved to laptop, BSOD on boot
• cant see the error as it's too fast
• BIOS is still default and is really rather hopeless
• no customisable features whatsoever
• windows 7 ultimate install hung on expanding system files again
• windows 7 home premium gives an error saying "a cd/dvd driver is missing
• any other suggestions?

 

[Qdos]

One copy I have hangs on Expanding System Files, another one says that it needs a driver for the CD/DVD drive (even if I try to install from a USB)...

These are, of course, legitimate original Microsoft DVD's...

 

[Narcissus]

Suffice it to say, I have tried several different disks containing Microsoft Windows 7, all of them do the same thing.
Also, any DVD burned with a retail image of Microsoft Windows 7 is legitimate, since all you pay for is the licence for the software. But that's a discussion for another time.
Any more suggestions?

 

[chev65]

Clearing the cmos works for me in most cases for installation problems. I also noticed that on certain machines that it tends to hang up on expanding files 0% for as much as 15 or 20 minutes before it proceeds with the file expansion.

 

[gregrocker]

If it hangs during copy files phase, it may be auto-formatting if you selected to install to Unallocated Space. It may also run chkdsk as XP full format did.

Have you tested RAM, removed all but 2gb or RAM, unplugged all USB devices?

As Chev suggests, reset CMOS: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/tp/clearcmos.htm

Check SATA controller setting in BIOS setup: try AHCI first, then IDE. Also enable PnP.

My last resort on problem installs is also to remove HD to another computer to install Win7, which has always started when returned to problem computer after swapping out drivers and several restart prompts. Both machines need to have same core number.

New free Paragon Adaptive Restore will adapt the Win7 HD to run on different HD by pointing it to HD from boot.