Windows 7: Windows 7 Installation can not detect my harddrive

Hi there,



I am attempting to install Windows 7(32) onto my computer (currently running Windows Vista32). I have been unable to do so because the setup claims that I have no harddrives in which to install windows. It will not detect them during the installation process.

The compatibility check states that my computer is capable of running Windows 7(32) I am curious if there is anything I could do to get the installation to detect my harddrive.

Please feel free to ask for any other hardware related questions if needed.

My computer specs are:

Nvidia GTS 450
Intel Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.4Ghz
4.00gb Ram
Dell XPS720
PLDS DVD+RW DH-16A6S SCSI CdRom (driver up to date)

I attempted to format my C: as well, as per a friends suggestion, and was unable to do so recieving an error message stating "system partition is not allowed to be formatted" . I do not recall partitioning my system.

Hope this helps.

Thank you.

You have vista installed, so the drive is partitioned.
The fact that you received this message is good however it means the system does in fact know the drive is there.
see here if you want to completely be rid of vista
Clean Install Windows 7

or here if you wish to have vista remain on the drive
Clean Install Windows 7 : Ahead of Vista

You need to boot the DVD to install.

First make sure you have the latest BIOS version from Dell's Support Downloads webpage for your service tag - you should have at least v.06. If so, reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Boot DVD, Use Custom install>Drive Options (pictures in Clean Install tutorial above) to delete partitions, Create New as you wish, then Format before installing to first partition. Ignore the 100mb System Reserved partition issued by installer - this conveniently places the DVD Repair console on the F8 Advanced Boot Tools menu.

If install fails, try removing all but 2gb of RAM to try install. Post back the exact error message.

all that is covered in the notes for clean install greg

All what? his latest BIOS version needed? How to boot a DVD? How to reset the CMOS? Purpose of 100mb SysRserved partition? Remove all but 2gb of RAM?

I must be missing these in Clean install tute. Can you show me where they are?

Adding detail and other steps to your good information and links only helps the OP get it resolved faster.

Also wondering what version of Vista do you have now and what version are you of Win 7 are you trying to upgrade to?

Try a full clean & full format in command prompt.
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

You say you have a SCSI DVD drive? Are you sure?
If the DVD is SCSI are the hard drives also SCSI?
If so that is your problem. You need to LOAD the SCSI drivers during the 7 install routine. No other option will work. Win 7 does not see the SCSI hard drives without loading the drivers for the SCSI card and drives. To my knowledge NO Dell system, unless older business class servers, ever came with SCSI as a normal option. So this is a Add-On card.

I'm sorry but DID YOU READ THE FIRST LINE of the original post????????

I thought I had but apparently not very well, thanks for the "gentle" reminder.