Can't install Windows on new SSD

[Agent_Smith]

So have been tearing out what little hair I have left trying to get Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit) installed on a new 250GB Crucial BX100 SSD I bought a month or so ago.

Things I have tried (including but not limited to) include:

* Different SATA ports on the mb
* Different SATA cables
* Changing SATA config in the BIOS from SATA to AHCI (and also enabling the AHCI function in the registry).

Problem I am having essentially is that I cannot seem to format the drive to install the OS. If I boot from the CD Rom (with install disk), and open the diskpart utility on setup startup, the drive is not detected and displayed (even though it shows in the BIOS). I have also tried installing the SSD as a secondary drive and booting into Windows off my current HDD but even if I do get in to Windows (when it doesn't BSOD on startup), the drive doesn't exist under the Disk Management Console.

Motherboard is an Asus M4A78-EM Version (V02.61).

My last two options are A) to try install off a Windows 8.1 install disk to test whether it's Windows install file related and B) to test the drive in another rig and see if it's my motherboard that is screwing me around.

 

[Pilgrim]

So have been tearing out what little hair I have left trying to get Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit) installed on a new 250GB Crucial BX100 SSD I bought a month or so ago.

Things I have tried (including but not limited to) include:

* Different SATA ports on the mb
* Different SATA cables
* Changing SATA config in the BIOS from SATA to AHCI (and also enabling the AHCI function in the registry).

Problem I am having essentially is that I cannot seem to format the drive to install the OS. If I boot from the CD Rom (with install disk), and open the diskpart utility on setup startup, the drive is not detected and displayed (even though it shows in the BIOS). I have also tried installing the SSD as a secondary drive and booting into Windows off my current HDD but even if I do get in to Windows (when it doesn't BSOD on startup), the drive doesn't exist under the Disk Management Console.

Motherboard is an Asus M4A78-EM Version (V02.61).

My last two options are A) to try install off a Windows 8.1 install disk to test whether it's Windows install file related and B) to test the drive in another rig and see if it's my motherboard that is screwing me around.

Go with B, if it does not even show up in disk manager there is something wrong with it in my opinion

 

[tinman8493]

My only thought could be that the SATA driver isn't working from the get-go with win 7 install.
Try this (copied directly from windows help page):
Update the storage controller driver during Windows 7 setup

You might need to update the driver for your PC’s storage controller. This driver controls how the hard drive interacts with the rest of the PC. To do this:

Find the type of storage controller your PC uses by checking the documentation that came with your PC or going to the manufacturer’s website.

On a second PC, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver on a USB flash drive or other removable media.

Start Windows 7 installation again, and on the Where do you want to install Windows? page, click Load Driver.

Insert the removable media containing the driver into your PC, and click OK.

Select the driver from the list of results and then click Next. Follow the instructions on your screen to continue installing Windows 7.

 

[absynth]

Have you updated BIOS?



If you get this screen and the drive shows up click next.No need to create partition or format.Windows install will do it.

 

[Sonic2k]

I also had this problem. I don't know which of these fixed it:

* BIOS Update
* Played with settings in BIOS

 

[ITCynic]

Sounds like the OS installation is not detecting a SATA controller.

When performing a new installation from DVD of Windows 7 a box will prompt “Where do you want to install Windows?”

If the SATA hard drive is not showing then click the Load Driver option.

The "additional controller driver" is the SATA controller driver. Whether the SATA controller is embedded on the motherboard or is an add-on card, the driver(s) can be found on the CD or website of the manufacturer.

 

[pieterj]

What worked for me, was to disconnect all my hard drives and only leave the new one in. Worked for me every time.

 

[Pitbull]

What worked for me, was to disconnect all my hard drives and only leave the new one in. Worked for me every time.

^^

With Windows 7 you need to actually discover the added drives manually for windows to display and detect them. Just plug in the SSD, do the windows install. Add the other drives and then go and manage them from the control panel to have them added to your windows directory.

This should help you:
[video]www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMo8krAJd5Q[/video]

 

[CamiKaze]

Bios update and legacy mode.

 

[techead]

Can someone provide clarity on the AHCI vs SATA mode?

Everything I have read indicates that you need to have your BIOS on AHCI.

Note: When this drive is attached and we boot into the OS drive (500GB spinner) the OS wont even load. Get's stuck

 

[Agent_Smith]

Thanks for the responses guys. Some new suggestions here for me to try. Just to clarify to Pieterj & Pitbull, I did try boot with just the SSD connected and no other drives but was still unable to detect the drive during the drive selection portion of the Windows installation process.

 

[Pitbull]

Thanks for the responses guys. Some new suggestions here for me to try. Just to clarify to Pieterj & Pitbull, I did try boot with just the SSD connected and no other drives but was still unable to detect the drive during the drive selection portion of the Windows installation process.

IIRC I had to select something in the BIOS to make it boot from the SSD.

Check the Video I linked. I think it covers that too.

 

[Agent_Smith]

I have attempted to update the BIOS but am unsure what exactly to download. Perhaps someone could point me in the right direction. Here is my motherboard and my OS is Windows 7 64bit. Under the BIOS subsection are 13 possible updates but I don't know which one I need. Any ideas?

 

[techead]

IIRC I had to select something in the BIOS to make it boot from the SSD.

Check the Video I linked. I think it covers that too.

hes not even getting to a point to boot from the SSD. The install from the Win 7 disk begins and it doesnt go beyong "setup is starting"

It just hangs there

 

[Pitbull]

hes not even getting to a point to boot from the SSD. The install from the Win 7 disk begins and it doesnt go beyong "setup is starting"

It just hangs there

I had to do this even before the install.

I had to go into the BIOS and select the boot drive and something else. This was on a Asus H97 board. I'll be more specific when I get home as I can't recall what it was. I'll have to check the BIOS. On very first start-up before install the BIOS loaded by default on first boot up. (brand new rig)

 

[Pitbull]

What partition have you got on that SSD. Which did you selected on first boot?

I recall that also being an issue on mine. I had to re-format and load a GPT partition

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Is it a new SSD?
Was it not used in a raid array if it isnt new?
Had that once with a drive where I had to manually remove the raid headers from the boot sector.

 

[Qrox]

I have attempted to update the BIOS but am unsure what exactly to download. Perhaps someone could point me in the right direction. Here is my motherboard and my OS is Windows 7 64bit. Under the BIOS subsection are 13 possible updates but I don't know which one I need. Any ideas?

You would want to download the newest version, so the one that says: M4A78-EM BIOS 2102, Update LAN option ROM.
Haven't updated bios in a while, but if I remember correctly you then put it on a flash drive that is formatted to FAT32.

Either in the bios or on a screen just before that, you should find a option that says flash bios or update bios. Should be relatively easy from there.
Just make sure there isn't loadshedding scheduled for your area

 

[ponder]

I have attempted to update the BIOS but am unsure what exactly to download. Perhaps someone could point me in the right direction. Here is my motherboard and my OS is Windows 7 64bit. Under the BIOS subsection are 13 possible updates but I don't know which one I need. Any ideas?

BIOS - Version 2102
BIOS Utilities - Version 2.38

First check if you don't have the latest version already. Make sure you are gonna have power for the duration of the update!!!

You might even have a hardware compatibility issue with the sata chipset worse case scenario.

What happens if you boot from a linux livecd and try to format it via gparted?

 

[CamiKaze]

Did you receive a driver disc with your SSD? There should be an option during the install where it asks if you want to install a driver.