Problems installing Windows on 500GB in a CF-52G

My head is killiing me. I've tried for 2days now to load Windows Vista Business on to a 500GB SATA hard drive in a CF-52GCBEAM and CF52-GCMBXAM. Using the factory Product Recovery DVD MK2HL-VBM1. So far, used 3 different hard drives, one of which is brand new, just opened. Do MK2LL versions of the CF-52 have a problem with 500GB SATA drives? I've never had a problem with 320, 250, or 160GB drives. The installation starts fine, with all files being loaded from the DVD to the hard drive. After taking the DVD out and restarting, Windows beings to load then I get a message that " Windows could not complete the installation. To install windows on thie computer, restart the installation."

Being that I've used 3 different drives and 2 different machines, it sure looks to me that the drives are not compatible with the machine. However, in a search, I didn't find anyone complaining of this in the past, so I'm looking for some advice.

Thanks,
Joe

 

The drives are advanced format SATA drives (AHCI) and I thought the BIOS (V2.50L16) did not recognize that format. However, I was able to install Windows7 from the Product Recovery DVD MK2L-7PM32, so I no longer think the BIOS is creating the problem with Vista Business install. BTW, the error message shoud read, "Windows setup could not configure Windows to run on this computer's hardware." The message in my first post of this thread is the message that comes if you acknowledge this error and let the computer try to continue the install.

Is there a way to include add a hard drive driver to the Product Recovery DVD? I'm guessing the Windows7 DVD has the driver the laptop needs for the advanced format drive, where the Vista Business DVD does not. Only a guess though.

Does this jog a memory loose for anyone? Got a solution?

Thanks,
Joe

 

Is there a difference between a mk2HL and a mk2L? I am guessing that there is. Which would mean, it's the wrong recovery dvd.

Vista Product Recovery DVD MK2HL-VBM1

Windows 7 Product Recovery DVD MK2L-7PM32

 

Hi Shawn,
Thanks for the response. I have used those Product Recovery DVDs in dozens of CF-52 laptops without problems, but always with hard drives no larger than 320GB. Oh, heck, I have even used that DVD on these very same laptops with smaller hard drives to be sure that the problem was limited to the hard drive. Not sure what the H stands for. There is another Product Recovery DVD labeled MK2-VBM1 that I use on CF-52F, the high model of mark 2 machines.

Anyway, back to the problem, 99% sure it is this advanced format 4K thing. Can't believe I'm the first to run into this. Just for the record, the hard drives I am trying to use are:
Seagate Momentus ST9500423AS
Seagate Momentus ST9500424AS
Western Digital Scorpio (blue) WD5000BPVT

 

When I first got my CF-52MK2 it had a Seagate Momentus 7200 500GB ST9500420AS installed in it. I did not use the recovery disk on it . I used a retail W7 Ult cd and never had a problem that I can remember. I use this drive as a backup now and installed a SSD in it

 

It's IMPOSSIBLE to put a 500GB drive into a later model CF-52. The ONLY way is to clone the drive.

We haven't been able to figure this out ourselves here at RD. If anyone knows a solution other than cloning the drive, I'd LOVE to know myself!

Thanks!

 

How about partition it as 2 drives? Run the recovery DVD. Then use something like Easeus to delete the 2nd partition and expand the first one.

 

Still trying to figure this out, appreciate your replies. The Product Recovery DVD for MK2L-7PM32 does work with the 500GB, but these particular units don't have a Win7 COA, so I can't activate the installation. Back to Vista Business, according to Microsoft info, Vista with service pack 1 is supposed to have the necessary drivers to accomodate the Advanced Format hard drives. The MK2HL-VB1M Product Recovery DVD DOES have service pack 1, but it is not working. That's discouraging.

Don't think the 2 partition will work because the problem, as I understand it, is that the advanced format drive uses hard drive sectors of 4K each, not 512MB sectors that drives without the advanced format contain. Here is an article that sheds some light on this matter.

Error Installing Windows 7 on Advanced Format Disk Drives

I am currently trying to install the Intel Rapid Storage Driver version 9.6 or newer, with little success. FYI, the SATA AHCI Controller in the CF-52G is Intel ICH9M-E/M.

Still in need of help.

 

I've used the XP Pro recovery cd that came with my CF-52 to restore to a Samsung 500GB Sata drive and a 500GB Seagate Momentus XT drive with no problems on my CF-52GCMBXAM. However, I have partitioned the drives to C being either 100GB or 150GB. As I recall my model CF-52 came with a 160GB Hitachi (I think) drive originally. The original drive failed, the CF-52 could see it in bios but thought it was 0GB in size. I still have the original drive since I'd like to someday try and recover data from it, but there was nothing critical on it. I want my drive partitioned, so I've never tried to merge to two partitions after installation as suggested by Shawn. I don't know why it wouldn't work, but I'd make an image of both partitions before I tried to merge if I was to try it. I hope this helps.