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?

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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 :

)

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72 additional answers

Anonymous

2013-06-02T18:55:52+00:00

SSD shows in bios, but not on numbered list of drives when I try "list disk". I can get to drive using disk management I safe mode as SSD has an old operating system on it. Can I, how can I clear the MBR so install will see drive?
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Anonymous

2013-05-06T01:38:33+00:00

A few posts back someone mentioned an issue with Diskpart - list disks command showing no disks. I am also having this issue. I am on a laptop and have virtually no settings to change in my bios. I am using UEFI and trying to install windows 8.

I already flashed the firmware of my SSD which gave the same results. Does anyone know what might cause this? The installer is asking for a driver, but is seems there is no such driver for this device from the manufacture. I guess the standard ones on the install cd are supposed to be good enough.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Anonymous

2013-03-28T23:45:32+00:00

Can someone post the solution over here because the link to that website does not show me the solution and my raid ssd are still not detected in the installation window.
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Anonymous

2013-03-04T20:14:07+00:00

Thank-you, the diskpart, clean solved my issue. My SSD came from my old machine and must have had something in th eMBR that kept windows from seeing it. Great advice!
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