Can't install Windows 7 after reformatting SSD

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  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #1

    Can't install Windows 7 after reformatting SSD


    I've spent the entire day attempting to fix this issue, but I think I'm up against several problems here and could use some advise, as they seem to be complicating each other.

    Backstory: my HP Folio 13 came preloaded with all sorts of bloatware (no surprise there obviously), and I immediately went through and uninstalled everything HP related that I could. Everything seemed to be working just fine, with the exception of the WiFi wouldn't work reliably up on my college campus. No big deal, but I noticed there were some persistent HP files that I wanted to remove to free up space (I only have 120gb on the SSD). I attempted to do a clean install of Windows 7 Home Premium x64, and this is where I believe I went wrong.

    Just last week I reinstalled Windows 7 on an old Dell XPS laptop, beginning with formatting and deleting all partitions. I created 1 partition and installed Windows onto it, and then updated all drivers through Microsoft Update tool. Everything worked great.
    Attempting to do the same thing, I formatted and deleted all partitions on my HP Folio 13, and created 1 new partition to install windows onto. Immediately I was stopped and told I could not install windows onto the partition because I was missing device drivers. I'll jump to a quick overview:

    Attempted install from USB created with Windows USB/DVD installer tool, with an OEM W7 home premium x64 ISO. (no internal CD/DVD drive)
    -"Status: 0xc000000fc
    Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible"

    Attempted install with DVD created with the same Windows USB/DVD tool
    -booted from DVD, began windows installation and immediately confronted with "A required CD/DVD device driver is missing" issue.

    I've attempted to repair the bootloader from the CMD prompt, but it can't find an OS (because I erased it). I can't format the C: because it gives me an error. I can't install from DVD because it's asking for drivers. I can't access Hard Drive information in the BIOS (it's nowhere, I've checked multiple times. no options). I can't install from USB because it gives me the bootloader error. I can't find appropriate drivers, or instructions to repair the bootloader. I've tried the windows recovery option and automatic repair, which gives me: "StartupRepairOffline" error.

    So basically I have zero OS (from what I can determine), and can't get past the various errors to install the OS. This is totally my fault, I should have known better and should have been more careful, but are there any kind souls out there with any ideas that might help?

    System information:
    HP Folio 13 Notebook PC
    product number: A4A69AV
    System Board ID: 17F8
    BIOS Version: F.02
    Processor Type: Intel Core i5-2467M
    4GB RAM
    120GB SSD


    *I'll get specific detailed error information tomorrow morning when I have a minute to redo all the steps I've attempted so far*
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #2

    Try Cleaning the HD Drive, using the CLEAN command (no need to use CLEAN ALL) in Step One in this tutorial:
    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
    Do not partition or format.
    Than clean install with the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk.

       Information
    We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
    & made the Startup Repair CD.
    startup repair disc-create


    Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

    How to make HP Recovery DVD disks:
    Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

    How to make HP Recovery USB disk:
    Creating a Recovery Disk on a USB Flash Disk HP Pavilion dv6700z CTO Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

    or
    You can Order HP Recovery Disks from here:
    http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...dTypeId=321957
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #3

    generical said:

    Attempted install from USB created with Windows USB/DVD installer tool, with an OEM W7 home premium x64 ISO.
    What is the source of this "OEM W7 home premium 64 ISO"??
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thank you for the replies, i'll see how it goes and get back to you.

    What I meant by OEM was an official Windows 7 Home Premium x64 ISO downloaded through DigitalRiver. I checked the hash against the official one just in case and it checked out. Apologies for misspeaking, it's not from HP.
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    If the ISO HASH matches then I'd try burning DVD again using ImgBurn at 4x speed, as the error is almost always bad installer.

    Next try writing ISO to flash stick using Universal USB Installer with Win7 in dropdown menu, boot under USB, Removable or HD's by tapping one-time BIOS boot menu key at reboot - set HD first to boot in BIOS setup.

    If this fails tryi unplugging the DVD drive.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #6

    Switch USB ports?


    If you are still having this issue try booting off of the install disk and before you click the Install Now button switch the port your USB/USB CD drive is connected to. I have had this work for me at my job and we just got Folios so it was a trial and error and that happened to be the reliable fix that worked on all of them. Now this is also without previously formatting the drive and trying to boot from install disk/USB drive.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1
    Win7 64
       #7

    Switch USB Works !


    Just wanted to reply and same thanks to Shogun. That switch the port fix saved me a whole lot of trouble. That was a crazy, super, uber geek find.

    I registered to this forum just to post thanks and I hate registering for stuff.

    Anyway, THANK YOU my geeky brother.

    Justin
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #8

    USB switch works for Folio 13!


    Thanks to shogun (and jickfoo for confirming)! I was tearing my hair out - finally switching the external DVD drive to the other USB port worked! I too never register for stuff but this was a real lifesaver. I only wonder how long I would have kept trying other fixes before switching the USB port...
      My Computer

  9.    #9

    UCLA-
    Trying to absorb the lesson this represents.

    Were you booting from the USB external HD?

    Do you have USB 3.0?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #10

    Was booting from Win7 DVD in external LaCie USB 2.0 DVD-RW. I don't know if the laptop has USB 3.0 but in this case it's not relevant. Plugging the drive into one USB port then moving it to one of the other ports before clicking Install Now worked for me.
      My Computer


 
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