Windows 7 - BSOD when installing Windows 7 in AHCI mode

Hi guys, I'll try to explain my problem in as few words as possible.

First thing, my build:
Board: Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4
CPU: Core i7 870 @ 2,93 Ghz
Graphic: Sapphire AMD Radeon 8670
Mushkin 2x2Gb Red Culvert Kit @ 1600Mhz CAS 6-7-7-18
Seagate 320 GB SATA II HDD
+ WD Caviar Black 1TB SATA III HDD
Running: Windows 7 Ultimate
Trying to install: Windows 7 Ultimat
PSU: LC Power Arkangel 850W

Ok so here's the deal. I have Windows 7 Ultimate installed on my 320 Gb HDD and everything is running ok. I just bought a WD Caviar Black 1TB SATA III disk and I want to install Windows 7 there, since the disk is faster.
Here's what happens. When I connect the disk (it is connected GSATA 3 connectors), the disk will be recognized in bios and in Windows, but wont show under My Computer. I figured it must be some software bug so I formatted the disk in diskpart (clean format) and installed Windows 7 on it. At that time the GSATA 3 interface was set to IDE mode. It ran fine but after installing a big batch of Windows updates, the system hung at windows startup screen. After restoring the system to a previous state (i.e. before the updates), the system booted up normally.
I didnt know what was wrong so I formatted again, and this time I set the GSATA 3 to AHCI mode, since I realized this is a better option. When installing in AHCI mode, the computer expands the windows files but when the system is restarted, I get a BSOD (code Stop 0x000000B4 video driver failed to initialize) at Setup is updating registry settings. I really want to use the AHCI mode, but I cant get the system to work in IDE either so its really a bugger. I have no idea what could be causing this as the system works fine when using the other disk. Can the BSOD be caused by the disk? Anyway, I' open to suggestions since I really want to start using the disk. Any help would be appreciated.

Note: I have tried installing Windows 7 from a dvd as well as from a USB key.

Thank you,

J

Hi J and welcomes

That Bug Check just means there are no video drivers avail to use. Boot into safe mode and install them.

It may not show in disk management either because it doesnt have a drive letter, or because it may need a driver

I would also attempt to get it working in ide first then attempt the change to AHCI if absolutely necessary




Ken J

Hello Jure89, welcome to Seven Forums!



We see quite a few issues with people trying to install Windows 7 to such large partitions as 1TB and larger; what I would suggest is to create a single 100GB partition to get Windows installed to and then if you choose, you can expand that partition to the entire Hard Disk Drive; have a look at the outline in Step Two #2 in this tutorial at the link below for the process using diskpart.

It may be wise to run the "clean all" (secure erase) first after you're having such issues and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation


Getting it installed in IDE mode sounds like a good idea, have a look at this one also.

AHCI : Enable in Windows 7 / Vista

Device Manager - Access During Windows 7 Installation

Unzip your video driver to stick or CD, access Device Manager during install using steps above to update Display driver.

If this fails, uninstall the Display driver so it defaults to stock MS VGA driver to start up then Update driver via optional Windows Update.

Make sure you have latest BIOS update. If so, reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Set SATA controller to AHCI to try install first, then IDE mode if necessary.

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals, use PS2 keyboard and mouse.

Remove all but 2gb of RAM to try install.

Wipe HD again to try install.

Thank you for the info guys, I'll try these things and let you know how it goes. Im not sure how installing a video driuver has smthing to do with this though since I didnt need to install it when in IDE mode and I also didnt need to install it on the other HDD (with all other hardware specs the same).
Doesn't hurt to try though, I'll keep you updated.

J

Are you removing the Seagate 320 GB SATA II HDD before installing to your new WD Caviar Black 1TB SATA III HDD?

Yes, the 320Gb disk is removed.

Ken reported that bugcheck for your bluescreen likely references a missing video driver which is why I suggested you first try installing it by accessing Device Manager during install. It is indeed strange that driver would be provided during IDE mode install.

However if you can access the Device Manager using the tutorial provided it may show other drivers in error which you can then import to try to clear up the hang, or uninstall to get Windows 7 past the hang and to the desktop where Windows Update can update the driver.

The installer is over a year old now until SP1 is slipstreamed, so some drivers may still be missing and unavailable until provided by user or optional Windows Update.

If the driver isn't the issue then I would move directly to updating BIOS or (if current) resetting the CMOS, unplugging all other HD's and peripherals to try install, wiping the HD again of all code using Diskpart Clean All.

Given the problems you had after IDE mode install with Updates hanging restart, I would also test my RAM with memtest86 and HD using maker's diag/repair full CD scan:
RAM - Test with Memtest86+
http://www.carrona.org/hddiag.html

If only IDE mode install works, do your optional driver updates first and enable auto hardware driver updating: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...-your-hardware

Then install other updates in smaller groups so you can via System Restore determine which Update is causing hang, post it up in our Updates forum and open a support case on Windows Update website.