Windows 7 Installer will not recognize SSD

Anonymous

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?

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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 :

)

0 comments

72 additional answers

Anonymous

2010-11-23T06:46:45+00:00

I just want to say my boyfriend had the same problem: SSD showing in BIOS, but not recognized by Windows 7. This fix worked like a charm! Thanks for posting!
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2010-06-21T19:17:30+00:00

You've got the correct SATA port, I've installed Windows 7 on an Intel X-25M after flashing it a few months back without any issues. Since I built the PC for a friend I no longer can check the BIOS settings but you might try changong from IDE to SATA/ACHI.

JS

http://www.pagestart.com

Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to help.
Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2010-06-21T19:04:38+00:00

J W Stuart,

The drive is connected to a blue connector; I believe it is SATA-0. You were clear in your original email. I just read it wrong.

Thanks.

Gene Forrest
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2010-06-21T14:39:27+00:00
1. The fact that the drive has never been formatted is not an issue.
2. Should have been clearer, its not the color of the cable but the color of the SATA connectors on the edge of the motherboard. If you look down from the top you will see both Blue and White connectors where you plug the SATA cable into. You cable from the hard drive should be plugged into one of the standard SATA (Blue) connector, usually identified as SATA-0 or SATA-1 in the user's manual.
JS

http://www.pagestart.com

Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to help.
Was this answer helpful?

2 people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments