Windows 7 Installer will not recognize SSD

Anonymous
2010-06-20T18:15:57+00:00

I have just built a new computer and I want to install 64-bit Windows 7 Professional on an Intel X-25M 80GB SSD.  I am doing a clean install on a new drive.  When I get to the point in the Windows 7 installation that asks which drive I want to install the OS on, it does not show the Intel X-25M.  It will show my other drives, however.  If I unplug the other drives, it just shows a blank window instead of showing the Intel X-25M.  I get a message saying it could not find a valid signed driver.  I bought the retail version of the SSD, not an OEM.

I am using a Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7 motherboard and an Intel i920 CPU.  The motherboard BIOS has no problem detecting and identifying the X-25M.  I have the X-25M configured as an IDE.  I updated the firmware of the SSD, but it did not help.

Windows 7 compatibility page shows no compatibility problems with the X-25M, but it apparently needs a signed driver, and I do not know how to get one.

Any suggestions?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2010-06-21T05:58:44+00:00

Does it show the SSD at all? I would check to see that it's indeed being picked up by the BIOS and if not, check the cables.

Occasionally, Windows setup can chuck a fit when it discovers a drive with an invalid MBR/boot sector and won't install to it. To fix this, you could try the following

1.Boot up Windows 7 disc.

2.When the welcome screen comes up on Windows Setup, press Shift + F10, which will display a command prompt.

3.Type "diskpart" (no quotes) and press enter.

4.Type "list disk" and press enter.

5.Hopefully you can see your SSD in the list. You should see a number identifying it. Now type "select disk X" (where X is the number identifying your SSD) and press enter.

6.Type "clean" and press enter. This will write a blank MBR, YOU WILL LOSE ANY DATA ON THE SSD if you did have anything on it.

Hopefully one of these tips helps :

)

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-09-14T17:29:27+00:00

    Finally, I found the way can fix my problem. My problem is i was not recognize my laptop only have USB 3.0, so that, I use NLite tool for intergrated USB 3.0 driver into usb setup

    Drive

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-09-14T16:46:13+00:00

    I had the same problem. I had to format the SSD in another computer running Windows 7 in the systems programs where you can partition and format discs. I formatted to NTSF (I believe that is right letters) and then put it back in my Panasonic Toughbook and it was read and recognized and I was able to load the OS and set up. I have a server as a main machine to work on, and it also recognized it after it was formatted but not before. I had used a spare cable and sata port to add it in the computer I used to format and I then moved it as I said. You will love it once you are set up. My circa 2005 Panasonic Toughbook is like a brand new machine. It is amazing!

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-07-19T02:11:51+00:00

    I fixed it by burning the win.iso on dvd.. its not working to run the installation from usb

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-06-24T02:04:03+00:00

    I'm tried, but this isnot working with my case. SSD is still not found.

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