AlanHo Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 My wife's old Dell desktop is no longer "fit for purpose" so I decided to build a new one for her and at the same time upgrade some components in my computer.In my computer I fitted an Intel Q9650 CPU, Artic cooler, ASUS P5QL-E motherboard and 4 GB of DDR2 1066 MHz memory. Having used Windows 7 successfully for a couple of months as a dual boot I removed my OEM Vista Ultimate and now use Windows 7 PRC exclusively (with a full retail version on order). My existing Intel Q6600 cpu, Zalman cooler, ASUS PK5C motherboard and 2 GB of 800 MHz memory were re-used in a new Antec case with 500W PSU, new graphics card, 2 new SATA hard drives and 2 SATA DVD-RW drives to make up her new computer. Because her new computer used the cpu and motherboard from my computer I assumed it was OK to reinstall the OEM Vista from my machine on her new hard drive.However - when I tried to install Vista on the new/old build it refused to get beyond the point where I had to choose which drive to install it on. I got a message saying "This computer''s hardware may not support booting up to this disk. Ensure the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS memory". However BIOS settings were all OK. I then formatted the hard drive tried again and then got a message stating "Windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria for installation" and the installation refused to continue.I was nonplussed because in effect all I am trying to do is reinstall Vista on the same motherboard, with the same cpu, same graphics - but in a new case and on a new hard drive.Thus stymied - I installed Windows 7 without a problemWhat's going on here? - I'm very puzzled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 I seem to remember having a problem with a motherboard quite some time ago, where I had what appeared to be a BIOS problem. Boris (I feel sure t'was he) siggested I reset the BIOS, by use of the jumper. That softened it's cough.edit :- I don't think he siggested..I fell sure he suggested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Try a low level format of the drive and then let Vista format to NTFS itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Try a low level format of the drive and then let Vista format to NTFS itself.I did take the drive out and format it on my computer before sticking it back and trying again - but still no go.It's too late to try again - I have installed Windows 7 on the drive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Try a low level format of the drive and then let Vista format to NTFS itself.I did take the drive out and format it on my computer before sticking it back and trying again - but still no go.It's too late to try again - I have installed Windows 7 on the driveAh, but was it a LOW LEVEL format? My point being that this type of formatting removes all traces of previous uses of the drive which a normal format may fail to do and a quick format will certainly fail in this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Try a low level format of the drive and then let Vista format to NTFS itself.I did take the drive out and format it on my computer before sticking it back and trying again - but still no go.It's too late to try again - I have installed Windows 7 on the driveAh, but was it a LOW LEVEL format? My point being that this type of formatting removes all traces of previous uses of the drive which a normal format may fail to do and a quick format will certainly fail in this.I'm not sure what you mean by "low level" - I did a full format - not a quick format. It took over an hour so I guess it was a bit thorough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Perhaps I should have termed it a "zero fill" format which is supposed to return the drive to its factory state and it can then be formatted according to the required system (one of the FAT's or NTFS or whatever is required).My point was that OEM versions of Windows are designed to be loaded on to virgin drives and if there is a suspicion that you are trying to do Mr Gates out of a few cents by buying OEM instead of retail, he will prevent you if he can.I have come across a similar situation myself where, to try and save money, I attempted to use a drive which had previously been loaded with XP and I was unable to install OEM Vista on it. What I eventually did was load Vista on to a new drive and then use the used drive as a secondary or slave.Most likely the reason you can install W7 on the drive is that, being a product in development, it will install on almost anything. I thoroughly expect that to change in the full, final versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 The drive I was trying to load Vista on was a virgin brand new drive - never before been used.When I built my original computer 18 months ago I installed new 250 GB Seagate SATA drives and the OEM Vista loaded without a problem.Furthermore - about 9 months ago, after some unecessary 'fiddling' with my computer, I decided to reformat the drive, do a clean reinstall of Vista and reload all my software. It was no problem and went quite smoothly even though the drive was formatted and previously used.The "New" computer has identical 250 GB Seagate SATA drives plus my old Mobo. cpu etc - hence my surprise that this time round Vista is grumpy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Freeware ..... Low Level Format Tool :- http://hddguru.com/content/en/software/200...el-Format-Tool/Supported Manufacturers: Maxtor, Hitachi, Seagate, Samsung, Toshiba, Fujitsu, IBM, Quantum, Western Digital Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 I believe Windows also writes to the BIOS - memory effect there as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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