Hi,
Lenovo sent me recovery CDs for Windows 7 Professional 32-bit for my X201. I recently purchased a larger hard drive (750GB) for this unit and am trying to restore Windows 7 onto the hard drive. After the recovery process runs using the CDs, it says to disconnect the optical drive and restart Windows. When I do this, and Windows starts up for the first time, it says "Windows setup could not configure Windows to run on this computer's hardware".
I have no idea why it's saying this. My BIOS reads that the serial number and model number of the laptop are correct, so it shouldn't have trouble recognizing that it's installing on a genuine Lenovo.
I called Lenovo tech support many times, and they have no idea what's going on. The only thing they suggested is that it's possible this computer doesn't support hard drives larger than 500GB.
I'm more suspicious it has to do with Microsoft not wanting me to install OEM software on non-Lenovo hard drives. Does anyone know why it's giving me this error?
Thanks.
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I doubt it has something to do with the size of your hard drive, but for some reason it seems the Recovery CD doesn't like the SATA mode it is in or by chance you have the Advanced Format Hard Disks such as the ones offered by Western Digital. Try toggling the SATA mode from AHCI to Compatible mode to see if that works. According to Microsoft the issues are:
- Have a spare 4GB+ USB Flash Drive
- Obtain the following drivers and software:
* Windows 7 Professional SP1 ( 32 bit or 64 bit)
* Windows 7 USB/DVD Tool
* OPATool
* Intel Rapid Storage Technology Drivers ( 32 bit or 64 bit) - With these ensure to extract the contents on to a new folder as "Intel RST" and place this on the USB drive after you have used the Windows 7 DVD/USB Tool.
* Intel Graphics Driver ( 32 bit or 64 bit)
* Wireless Driver (Please refer to the model you have equipped on the system, if unsure download them all as a precaution).
* If you use Ethernet instead of Wireless, obtain driver from here.
* Lenovo Thinkvantage System Update
- Run the Windows 7 USB/DVD Tool and direct it to the Windows 7 ISO you have downloaded. It will prepare a bootable, yet portable installer of the Windows 7 disc onto your USB Flash Drive.
- With the exception of the first two on the list, store the rest of the drivers and apps into a new folder on to the USB Flash Drive and let the installer run.
- Once done, restart the system with the USB Flash Drive still connected. When the ThinkPad logo comes on press F1 to access the BIOS. Check the SATA mode is in AHCI and the USB Flash Drive is a selectable boot option. Press F10 to save changes and restart.
- When the ThinkPad logo comes on keep pressing F12 to access the boot options and select the USB Flash Drive.
- Select the relevant options for languages, when choosing to Upgrade or Custom (Advanced) Install choose the Custom one. On the Partition window, click on Drive Options (Advanced) to open more options and select "Load Driver".
- Under Load Driver, click on Browse and refer to the "Intel RST" folder on the USB drive. Let it load and proceed to return back to the Partition window.
- Here you can create your own partition size for your 750GB drive. So you can have say a 120GB OS Drive and split the 630GB for the rest of your files but its up to you. If you're happy with just a big chunk of hard drive space then just click Next and wait. Make a cup of coffee or something.
- Once done, it will ask for your username and details. Proceed but where it asks for a Product Key leave it blank and uncheck "Automatically Activate When Online". Click Next and let it load to desktop.
- On your USB Flash Drive, extract and install the Video Drivers and Wireless/Ethernet drivers to allow you to access the Internet. Restart if required.
- Open OPATool, type in "B" then type in "IBM-Lenovo" and press Enter. Once done return and go to option "C", then "F" and type in the Product Key that is labelled on your system. Press Enter when done and await confirmation. Once the key is installed go to the System Properties and ensure it has been activated.
- Install the System Update application and install the rest of the missing drivers. Afterwards you are now free to customise your own desktop, add new applications and so forth. -
Before I tried downloading the clean install you suggested I wanted to try terminating the Lenovo recovery process after Disc 1 (the actual OS) completed and when it asks for Disc 2 (Application and Drivers). For some reason, after I told the computer to stop after Disc 1, it set up Windows 7 fine. I was left with a driverless Lenovo recovery, however, and I had to reinstall all the drivers manually.
So it seems like the error message I was getting had to do with the Disc 2 (Application and Drivers) stuff... don't know why. It's probably for the best anyway as the Disc 1 OS stuff is without the crapware...
Installing Windows 7 OEM on New Hard Drive with Lenovo Recovery CDs (Thinkpad X201)
Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by wiivile, Jan 7, 2012.