Windows 7: Windows 7 Install Driver Issue?

I thought this was going to be an easy fix, but...

Quick Setup: Motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-MA770-DS3 version 1.0; I am setting RAID zero with two WD 160gig HDs. A Pioneer DVD drive and a Lite-On DVD drive. This is a 64-bit install.

I set the RAID config and cleaned the drives. Popped the Windows 7 install disk in my DVD drive and the install began. Set the language prefs and clicked 'Install.' Shortly after I get the following error...

Load Driver

A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. If you have a driver floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, please insert it now.

My first guess was not a CD/DVD driver but a RAID driver is needed. I tried using the latest RAID drivers from Gigabyte. I made sure I was using the 64-bit version of the drivers.

When installing the driver, Windows install responds with "can not find the drive." 'Drive' not 'driver.'

There are no drivers available for my two DVD drives. The standard Windows driver has always been sufficient.

What driver is the install is looking for? Do you think I may have missed something in the RAID config?

TIA!

Joe

Hi RadioJoe

Try installing from USB:

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

Theo, Thanks for the response. I don't have access to set this up. My work computer is locked down so tight, I can't install the software. And, step two shows the manual process using a Windows 7 computer.

In my case, this is not going to be an option.

EDIT: Here is something I will try tonight.

Switch from SATA to AHCI Follow the aforementioned instructions for booting into your computer’s BIOS, then check your HDD or storage settings. Turn off SATA, switching to AHCI, and reboot normally, then re-attempt installation of Windows 7.

Just plug in a 4gb+ UBS flash and format primary, then load the Windows 7 DVD files into the root. Reboot the target computer and tap F-key for Boot Menu given on first screen. Flash will be listed under HD's.

I think your problem is the RAID. We are seeing a lot of them refusing install and cannot get around it. It would be best to abandon the RAID config since it is dated technology anyway with drive imaging built in to Windows 7.

It's a make it or break it weekend for me. My wife is a little ... uh, irritated the computer is not ready. Whether I drop the RAID configuration or find the correct driver, I gotta get the system online.

Changing to AHCI might do it; it has worked for quite a few here.

My slim understanding of RAID is that AHCI will undo the RAID, but there might need to be more steps to actually undoing the RAID.

Try pulling a HD to see if that helps, if AHCI isn't enough by itself.

For a followup, this was solved ... sort of.

My Windows 7 Install

Joe