Windows cannot be installed to this disk

[shashgo]

I have a gateway that came loaded with windows xp.  I have since added more ram to make the total 3GB.  Then I guess  I got a virus or something, because windows wouldnt load anymore and I suspect the virus corrupted the MBT.  Anyways, I wanted to load windows 7 on the disk, a fresh install.  I inserted the windows 7 disk, and all seemed to go well until the screen where it lists the partitions on the disk and ask where to install.  Well it only showed one partition that was 160GB, but it said windows cannot be installed to this disk.

Does that mean the disk is bad or is there some setting or something I have to tweak in the bios

[patio]

More info on the physical HDD's in the PC and the partitions on each drive and sizes...

[shashgo]

there is only one disk and the size is 160GB.  There are no partitions on the disk and the laptop doesnt show me any either when I get to that screen that I mentioned earlier

[patio]

Dors it still boot to the HDD or no ? ?
Were any changes made to the drive before this ? ?

How is windows reporting the drive ?
And what exact;y does it say on this Win7 DVD ?

[shashgo]

No it does not boot to the hard drive, it just stays stuck on the windows xp screen.  No changes were made to the disk drive, it was working and then suddenly wouldnt boot up anymore. 

I dont understand what the following questions mean: like what do you mean 'How is windows reporting the drive ?'
And Im assuming you are asking whether the dvd says 32 bit windows 7 or 64 bit by the question 'What exact;y does it say on this Win7 DVD ?'  Its 32 bit, and I read that you can install a 32 bit os on a 64 bit system

[jason2074]

What laptop model do you use and have you run any diagnostic test for the HD?

[Salmon Trout]

And Im assuming you are asking whether the dvd says 32 bit windows 7 or 64 bit by the question 'What exact;y does it say on this Win7 DVD ?'

I think he might also mean "Is the DVD pressed or burned, and if the former, is it a full retail or OEM disk?"

[patio]

I think he might also mean "Is the DVD pressed or burned, and if the former, is it a full retail or OEM disk?"

Yep...that's what i was getting at...

Since i've seem that message or similar with people using the wrong OEM DVD...