New internal components, WD Hard Drive Wont install Windows 7

Good Evening,

I've run out of options as I am only fairly tech savvy, I can put stuff together but if I run into issues with my hardware that seems bios related im at a bit of a loss, so I apologize if this ends up being simple but ive been tweaking stuff for hours.

NEW HARDWARE:
AMD FX-6350 Vishera 3.9GHz Socket AM3+ 125W Desktop Processor FD6350FRHKBOX

EVGA 04G-P4-2768-KR GeForce GTX 760 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support SC 4GB w/ EVGA ACX Cooler Video Card

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GXM

I kept my existing Western Digital 1TB SATA Hard Drive and my 730W Power Supply from my old set up. Everything powers on great, but my windows file seemed corrupted as I could not load, and no repairs seemed successful. I had nothing worth savings so that's okay, I popped in an install disc of Windows 7 PRO 64Bit and when I attempt to install on my petition I formatted I get the error of "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not suport booting to this disk. Ensure that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu." I researched that and I find that most people say try having BIOS in AHCI mode. I have tried that, RAID, and my other option, and all fail to give me anything different.

If anyone has any clues as to what I can tweak or why I cant see to get this sucker to install, that would be amazing, I was so excited to get my desktop back up and running with new parts and so far I have nothing bu frustration. Thanks for any advice in advance!

Hello Kadart. Welcome to the forum.

I assume you are using the same motherboard?
When you change the processor on a motherboard it is necessary to perform a Clear CMOS procedure to refresh the checksum.

Clear CMOS (CLRTC) Procedure

• Note all your current BIOS settings
• Shut down the computer > remove the power cord.
• Remove the 3v battery.
• Move the CLRTC jumper from pins 1-2 to 2-3.
• Touch a metal part of the case and Press and Hold the reset button for approx. 30 seconds to discharge all power from the board.
• Put the CLRTC jumper back on pins 1-2.
• Replace the 3v battery > replace the power cord > boot.
• Immediately go back into BIOS and reset all your preferred settings. If the CLRTC worked you will need to reset the date and time in BIOS.

Here are some things to try:

First, go into the UEFI BIOS settings and reset the defaults. Especially if you've been playing with various settings.

Then make sure the SATA controller is set to AHCI mode. And set your boot order. If you are installing W7 from a DVD, set the DVD as the first boot device.
Is the DVD drive a SATA drive?

Then save and exit the BIOS and turn off the PC

Now check your SATA connections. Consult your manual to locate the SATA ports by number. On many new motherboards there is a secondary SATA controller (Marvel or other). You want your primary hard drive on one of the primary AMD SATA ports, preferably Port 0.

Disconnect any and all extra hard drives while setting up and installing W7.

Then be sure the optical (SATA) drive is also connected to one of the primary SATA ports. If your board has 6GB and 3GB ports then connect the optical to a 3GB port.

Once you are sure the connections are correct and extra hard drives disconnected then try installing Windows again.

Hi

Can you please take a snapshot of the partitioning screen and post it with next reply ? ( use a digital cam or smart phone ).

Attached is how my HDD looks when I try to install Windows per your request!

TVeblen,

I did double check everything last night when I opened it up, and I also confirmed I was in AHCI mode. The cables are correct and in Port 0. I kept all external HD's disconnected during this process as well. As of right now I have only the disk drive attempting to boot, so it doesnt try to confuse itself with anything. I wonder if somehow even being formatted my HDD is just "bad"? Which seems so strange considering it reads and I can create seperate partitions(not that it helps anything).

I wonder if just buying a new SATA HD would solve my problem, I hate to drop another $60...but at this point im starting to wonder.

Hi

Your hard drive doesn't seems to contain any partitions. You should create at least one partition ( preferably two - one for OS/apps and another for data storage ). I would recommend reading the below guide which covers all the steps need for a clean install.

Clean Install Windows 7

Anshad,

I have attempted to create multiple partitions already, and every partition I create, it doesnt seem to matter the size, does not allow me to install the OS. I will continue to get the "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not suport booting to this disk".

I will try again this evening just to make sure though.

Make sure to read the below guide ( specifically about partitioning ) - Partition the Hard Drive in a Windows 7 Install

Also i would recommend diagnosing your hard drive with manufacturer's diagnostic tool. For "Western Digital" it is "WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostic". The tool is DOS based but "Western Digital" doesn't seems to offer a bootable disc. You can either download "UBCD" which contains a set of diagnostic tools including WD diagnostics or use Seagate Seatool instead.

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview


Make sure to set SATA mode to IDE before booting from the CD ( AHCI mode is not supported ). What you need to run is the "Extended" test which will do a full surface scan and perform other sub tests.