Windows 7 - Laptop does not power off after installing SSD

My laptop was working fine until recently when I installed a new SSD (I used an optical bay caddy). The SSD works fine, and actually everything is fine except for the

fact that after I shut down the computer it does not power off automatically (I have to hold down the power button for a few seconds). However, when I start it again,

Windows does not complain about not being shut down properly, so I guess that it manages to do so, it's just that the power is not cut off. I should also say that

neither restart, hibernate or sleep work. The result is the same, with the mention that for hibernate and sleep Windows does complain when rebooted (which is natural

for sleep but I don't understand why it happens for hibernate).

The problem starts during the Windows installation, when it gets stuck on reboot. However, I can power it off manually and start it again and it all goes well.

I should also say that:
- I use Windows 7 64bit with SP1
- the laptop is an ASUS K53SC
- the SSD is a Corsair Force 3 60GB

The things I have tried so far are:
- I tried a different version of Windows 7 (on 32-bit)
- I tried updating the BIOS (turns out I had the latest version)
- I tried disabling the SSD or uninstalling its driver from device manager
- I tried disabling all devices that could be disabled from device manager
- I tried closing all services before shut down (from task manager)
- I tried selective boot (from msconfig) with all services disabled

In all these cases the problem persists. It only goes away if:
- I take out the SSD
- I boot in safe mode

If anyone has any ideas, I would be greatful.

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Have a look at this thread for a possible solution. Installed W7 & SSD Drive, PC will not power off

I already have. There is no IEEE Host Bus Controller or anything similar in my device manager. Thanks for the reply though.

If you go into your BIOS settings and look at the screen that lists all the connected devices (drives), what does the SSD and your old (I assume) hard drive look like? How are they listed/described?

This is a newer laptop, so I am assuming everything is SATA also.

Serial-ATA port 0 - WD750 .... (this is the old Western Digital hard drive)
Serial-ATA port 1 - Corsair Force 60GB ... (the SSD)

Try swapping the drives over i.e. connect the SSD to port 0 and the WD to port 1.

Agreed

Thanks for the confirmation, I hope you didn't mind me butting in.

Not at all - just the opposite!
I'm sure the OP appreciates the consensus too.

Thanks, I'm sure he does.