can't install to disk, turn on disk controller in BIOS

[narmex7]

trying to install win7 on sony laptop with a copy that is different from the original copy of win7.

did partdisk, clean all, create partition, and dvd install gave the "can't install to disk, turn on disk controller in BIOS" error. there is no disk controller function in my BIOS.

if partdisk clean all was successful, does that mean the HDD and its controller board are ok, that is, not physically damaged, and the problem is with software/installation/setup etc.?

what should i do next, in order to have a successful install?

thank you for helping!

 

[Maguscreed]

You say a different copy than the original, is this a burned copy?
What was the source?
It almost sounds as if it's missing the base driver pack the windows installer runs on.

The disk would appear to be working since the partdisk clean up went as expected.
My first instinct is to question the origin of the copy you are using to install with.
It could even be set up with a automated install that is causing the problem.

I am going with software for the moment, if you know the manufacturer of the drive in question they all have drive diagnostic software on their sites made specifically to check their drives available on their websites. This would be the easiest way to check that nothing is wrong with the controller or disk, and get hardware pretty much out of the way.

 

[narmex7]

thank you for your help Maguscreed!

by original, i meant the copy that came with the machine, located on the hard drive. i burned a cd from it, but lost the cd, and bought another legit copy from school, with product key. there shouldn't be any issue with this dvd copy.

my laptop is a sony viao PCG-71314L. sony's site doesn't even list this model.

the hard drive is a toshiba HDD2H83 MK3265GSX. the various diagnostic tools on toshiba site are all for fujitsu branded hard drives, mine is a toshiba brand.

btw, after clean all, partdisk only listed one partition of 295GB, while my disk is a 320GB one. i have no idea what the missing 25GB is, could it be some thing the manufacture put on, which users have no acess to, and that is stopping a new installation? is it better to erase the complete 320GB with some tool?

 

[Maguscreed]

If it's formatted you lose some size to the partition table, if you completely wipe it and are missing that much it's likely a hidden partition with the factory install still on it in there.

I still suggest trying to find an alternate disk if possible.

 

[alphanumeric]

Could it be a SATA mode problem? IDE versus AHCI. The controller may be in AHCI mode and Windows is looking for the driver.

 

[Maguscreed]

Alpha makes a good point, IDE is generally the highest compatibility.
If you have the option I would give that a try.

 

[Layback Bear]

Are you sure you have the DVD as first boot?

 

[narmex7]

Could it be a SATA mode problem? IDE versus AHCI. The controller may be in AHCI mode and Windows is looking for the driver.

thank you alpha!

i read some thread here that sometimes it could be an IDE versus AHCI issue. i looked for it, but my BIOS does not have such a setting. my machine is a sony viao PCG-71314L, and sony site doesn't list this model. i'd like to look into this, could you point me to somewehre for info on how to change such settings?

 

[narmex7]

Are you sure you have the DVD as first boot?

yes, sure.

it all started with my machine couldn't boot up with the original installation; with the win7 dvd, "can't install to disk, turn on disk controller in BIOS" is how far i could get; with PuppyLinux, i could boot up and access data on the hard drive, which are now all wiped out with partdisk clean all.

so yes, sure.

 

[narmex7]

If it's formatted you lose some size to the partition table, if you completely wipe it and are missing that much it's likely a hidden partition with the factory install still on it in there.

I still suggest trying to find an alternate disk if possible.

are there ways to remove the hidden partition with factory install?

i don't have any disk to replace with, it'd be great that a software problem could be solved if that's the case.

btw, i also tried UBCD, the fujitsu HDD testing tool in there couldn't even detect the hard drive. PuppyLinux did, and let me see my data on it as well. could that be a clue to IDE v.s. AHCI?

 

[Layback Bear]

If you haven't tried this already it very well might help.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/61869-ahci-enable-windows-7-vista.html

 

[narmex7]

If you haven't tried this already it very well might help.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/61869-ahci-enable-windows-7-vista.html

thank you for the help Layback Bear!

problem is... now i can't boot into windows at all, i.e. having no way of doing this within windows.

 

[gregrocker]

Is your HD detected in BIOS? Look nearby for SATA controller settings, or any other settings, and report back.

Reset BIOS to defaults. Set HD first to boot, boot into installer using one-Time BIOS Boot Menu key at boot. What happens?

If it fails, test your HD using the maker's HD Diagnostics CD burned to disk using WIndows Image Burner or ImgBurn. If it doesn't detect the HD, try it in another machine to make sure disk is sound. If it works elsewhere, replace your HD cables and if necessary HD.

Where did you get the Win7 ISO and how did you burn or write it?