Windows 7 - Error with Win 7 Clean Install

I purchased Win 7 Pro 64 from Digital River's student deal. I then followed the instructions Here to make it a bootable dvd. I then went to Intel's site and downloaded and extracted their Intel Matrix Storage Manager for their 64bit AHCI drivers and extracted them to a usb flash drive to load during install.

Once I put in the Win 7 dvd it gets to the point where I select which partition I want to install to. First, I load the AHCI drivers that I put on the usb flash drive, then I delete the main partition that I had Vista on, and then format it. Now, if all was working well I would hit the Next button, but at this point I get stuck, as it says, "Windows is unable to install to the selected location. Error: 0x8030001."

A couple of notes, I did enable AHCI in my motherboard's BIOS. Also, I have two Sata HD's in my computer, a 320gb that is split into a 50gb(where Vista is installed) and 270gb partition(where programs are installed) and a 1tb drive where I keep videos/music.

Does anyone know what might be causing this error and any steps that I may take to resolve it?

hi Merxz, and welcome to sevenforums,

i'm sorry but i can't help you myself - i didn't need ahci drivers for my machine.

but there are lots of other knowledgeable users around here, and it would make things easier for them if you could tell us a bit more about your pc setup.

please go to your user countol panel, by clicking the 'user cp' link at the top of the page, and then find the 'edit system spec' link on the left hand side.

your motherboard details are the most important here, i suppose...

Thanks for the tip, and I went ahead and updated my computer specs. Also, in case it's easier to just check this, the motherboard is a Gigabyte EP45-UD3R.

I believe 7 will install the ACHI drivers automatically. don't inatall them until your asked.

Alright, I'll try again without loading any drivers and report back my findings.

Hi

Can windows setup see your HD at this screen, if it can, no drivers needed.

Alright, so you guys were right and NOT loading the Intel drivers did the trick. I guess my next question is should I install them after all the installation is done and I can boot into Win 7?

It may not be the same, but I remember doing research back when I got Vista and it was recommended that you use the Intel AHCI drivers because they gave better performance vs. the standard Windows Vista AHCI drivers. Is this still true with Win 7 or did Microsoft improve the drivers on their end?

I would not install any drivers just yet. If everything installs correctly, run it for a while and see if you notice any performance hits. If not, you're good. If so, download the Intel drivers. But... make sure to back everything up first in case you have to restore!

You could run some benchmarks, install the newer Intel AHCI drivers (probably 8.8.1.1023), benchmark again and see what you get. If its worse you can always roll back to the MS drivers.

There is a beta floating around of Intel's new Matrix Storage Manager called Intel Rapid Storage Technology. You may want to give that a try when it is released (or now). Here's a link to discussion about the Intel RST which has a further link to Intel RST 9.5.0.1037 which is not official and not Whql at this point. Keep in mind the discussion on the OCZ Forum is regarding the use (or discouraged use) of Intel drivers as they pertain to SSDs, not regular hard drives.
Discussion Intel Rapid Storage Technology 9.5.0.1037 - OCZ Forum

Alright, thanks for the responses, I'll be sure to read over those threads.

On a separate note, I'm having trouble with the Product Key. When the install asks for me to input the product key I enter it EXACTLY the way Digital Rivers sent it to me in the email that I received, yet Windows 7 is saying that it is not valid. Anyone know something that I may be doing wrong?