"Disk read error" on installation

Hi Guys,

I spent the last 3 hrs looking for a solution to this, but nothing has worked. I have already installed Windows 7 on a very similar system but never encountered any problems...

I have built a new system (everything new):

- Gigabyte E350N with CPU on board
- Kingston 2 GB DDR3 RAM
- Verbatim 64 GB SSD

The SSD is OK in the BIOS. I then install Windows 7 using a USB drive (which has worked before for 3 other installs). Windows 7 installer finds the SSD and installs without error. Then it comes to the restart:

"Disk read error"

No matter what I do, I can't get rid of it. I tried the following:

- Windows 7 recovery (also performing it 3 x in a row) finds no problems
- Deleted all partitions on the SSD and reinstalled
- Formating the SSD again
- 3 different SATA cables
- All 4 SATA inputs on the motherboard (shown as Master and Slave in BIOS)
- Optimized settings in BIOS
- Fail safe settings in BIOS
- IDE vs. AHCI in BIOS

I am lost. I don't know what else to try. It is just possible that my brand-new SSD is broken? Then why is Win7 installed without error until the first restart?

Thanks for your help!


Windows was always installed on D: with the 100 MB C: partition, so I also tried the "get rid of the 100 MB" trick. It works (Win 7 installed on C: without the 100 MB partition) but the same problem.

Wipe the HD: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If this fails post back verbatim error message and at what step it fails: Clean Install Windows 7

then test HD with maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan.

Follow this with running Disk Check from DVD/Repair CD Command Line, on a full disk partition you've created with the installer when trying to install.

Windows was always installed on D: with the 100 MB C: partition, so I also tried the "get rid of the 100 MB" trick. It works (Win 7 installed on C: without the 100 MB partition) but the same problem.[/QUOTE]


Not sure why that`s happening, windows shouldn`t assign the system reserved partition a letter. What trick are you using ? Using the partition wizard boot cd to mark the install partition active during the install is the way Greg has shown and it works perfectly.

If all else fails I would contact the SSD maker TechSupport because in answer to your question "Yes a new drive can fail." I had a Verbatim external which was faulty at purchase. Tech Support had me test it and then RMA'd it directly even though it was still under 30 day return policy of retailer.

I would completely ignore the System Reserved partition unless it assigns a drive letter which is unusual, or bumps Win7 to another letter which is unheard of unless installing from an OS.