How to reformat SSD for Win 7 reinstall, after permanent boot failure.

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  1. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #11

    From post # 2:

    samuria said:
    <snip> ... Boot the install media when it asks were to install it gives you the option to delete all partitions do that and let windows create what it needs
    Let the Windows install disk handle the partition and formatting of the drives. Did you tell the installation program to delete the existing partition and format the drive? If not, Windows won't repartition the drive for use and it will fail like it has done.
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  2. Posts : 14
    Win7 Home
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Thanks for coming back. I have NEVER been given the option to delete all partitions when starting to install. All I get is: "Setup was unable to to create new partition or locate an existing system partition. See the setup log file for more information". This gets repeated whatever I do, and I can get no further. After just trying initially with only SSD installed, and establishing it is unallocated and contains only 8MB of the original 80GB, I decided to reinstall the HDD again. There was no change in trying the inst discs again, only getting as far as described above. So, I decided that a heart transplant was the final option and used the inst disc option to reformat. Having ensured that I had previously saved the historical data I wanted to retain, I assumed (hoped) that reinstall would now reach the stage you have described, but no.
    Having played with external facilities previously, I tried using Parted Magic to see whether there was a means to create a bootable C: drive. All I can tell you now is that I seem to have a recognized NTFS formatted HDD, but seemingly with no means for the Inst discs to recognize and create the ubiquitous windows C: drive. I guess I have to accept that the SSD has died and needs amputation, but would hope that a blank formatted 500 Gb hard disc can be resuscitated to breath Windows 7 again.

    Quite understand if you have nothing further to offer, but thanks for your help.
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  3. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #13

    Does the laptop has a built in Factory Restore?
    From BIOS you probably have an option to launch the Factory Restore. It will format the C: partition of the SSD and restore Windows from a recovery partition. Very simple and you don't need to look for and install any drivers.

    REMOVE the HDD leaving on only the SSD.

    Carrying Out A Restore - Medion Erazer X6811 User Manual [Page 85]
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  4. Posts : 14
    Win7 Home
    Thread Starter
       #14

    I was very encouraged to hear that there may be a hidden way of restoring my dying machine and I'm much obliged for your research in find the X6811 manual. However, on this Medion X6813, the only Function buttons are available on boot during the Medion flash start up display is F2 for Setup and F10 for Boot. Either of these functions are very basic with Setup just showing simple hardware info on processor and ram together with the ability to define order to look for boot device. F10 is even simpler in showing connected devices such as large HDD, or CD drive to select as the boot device.

    My manual does indeed mention F11 or F12, but this is described as coming after running the set up disc. Unfortunately, in running all the options offered by the inst disc all it consistently get stuck by saying it lacks information on the hardware and asking to load drivers. I do this from the Inst disk and it presents a file manager requesting a file of type "Setup Information" Looking at "Computer" it shows Local Drive C: 698 GB free, Boot X: 31.2 MB free of 33.6MB, and the CD Drive.

    The only file of type "Setup Information" is called Autorun, but all I get again is "The specified location does not contain information about your hardware" and back we go to the "System Recovery Options" Screen in a visious.

    I did try booting up my X7843 machine, and sure enough that did come up with a graphical restore screen as you were describing. So unless I can get this inst software to recognise my hardware, I fear my previous brain surgery really does need the crash trolley.

    Thanks very much for everybody's efforts to help me solve this start up problem.
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  5. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #15

    Is your Win 7 installation disk from M$ or from Medion?
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  6. Posts : 14
    Win7 Home
    Thread Starter
       #16

    Thanks for coming back.
    It's from Medion, hence the Medion boot up flash with transitory screen options to press very basic BIOS F2 or F10 routines, before going into some not very understandable stuff ending in advice to insert a boot up device software. When a CD is inserted, whether the Windows Inst disk or UBCD, things start to happen. There is a 2nd Medion disc containing drivers etc.
    It seems to me that it is the SSD currently marked unallocated but with only 8MB available that is the problem. As described before, the reformatted HDD C: primary partition with over 500GB free, is not what the Medion Inst disk is wanting, but the too small SSD? It reaching the instruction to input Drivers, it always ignores the fact that I point to the Autorun setup information , where it continues to point out that it doesn't have sufficient information about the hardware.
    I am wondering whether I should try to reformat the SSD as I did with the HDD. Perhaps if it recognizes that the SSD is actually 250GB capacity. On the other hand if this doesn't work, maybe if I buy another SSD for £150 (they don't make the same Sony model anymore), will turn the machine into a brand new build and allow the manual described F11 or F12 to be achieved.
    I don't have sufficient knowledge to know whether I've actually murdered the machine now, or whether investing recuperation money in it by buying a virgin copy of Win 10, or reluctantly returning it to its creator?
    Any helpful advise would be very welcome.
    Thanks.
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  7. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #17

    Last week I was very busy.
    Did you get the Win 7 installed?
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  8. Posts : 14
    Win7 Home
    Thread Starter
       #18

    No further progress. I guess I must try to reformat the SSD to see whether it reverts to a 250GB installable disc. Then will decide to buy another SSD or return to Medion. If I replace the SSD I shall also have to purchase Win 10 for a clean install without HDD connected.
    I would welcome your opinion before I take either route.

    Thanks
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #19

    It is very difficult to us to know what you have as it isn't a M$ installation disk. Then it is very difficult to us to guide you.
    If the laptop came with win 7 you don't need purchase Win 10.
    Look under the laptop or under the battery to see if there is a COA sticker with a win 7 key on it.
    Is the win7 that came with the laptop a Home or Home Premium edition?
    Is the SSD a 2.5"? Do you know the brand and model?
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 14
    Win7 Home
    Thread Starter
       #20

    I quite understand that the issues I have raised are difficult to solve from a remote location.
    There is a sticker marked by Medion as Windows 7 Home Prem OA with a product key. |I have unfortunately been unalbe to reach a stage where inputting this key starts installation off.
    I was originally advised to unplug the HDD to prevent installation on this device. Perhaps if I unplug the SSD, it might try to install on the HDD instead?
    The SSD is an Intel SSD 320 Series 80GB Model SSD SA2G W080G3 2.5. This model is no longer available but I guess the next size up from a different manufacturer would be OK, assuming that if replaced it I could do a clean install from the manufactures discs?
    Why wouldn't I need to purchase Win 10, if that is my ultimate goal?
    Please don't worry if you feel you are unable to help any further.

    Thanks
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