HDD isn't shown when reinstalling Windows

Akula417 · 04 Oct 2013

I month or so ago, I got a custom rig from a guy who builds and ships custom orders. When it arrived, I got AVG Complete antivirus, the Unreal 3 UDK, and Steam. It worked fine for a few weeks, but then I started getting messages saying that my windows wasn't genuine, and that I needed to register it, despite assurances from the guy who built it that it was genuine (and I'm not saying any of this was his fault. While I don't know the guy, I did find him through a friend who I trust a helluva lot more than I do myself regarding computers). Later, I started getting blue screens, and even just a black CMD looking screen that essentially just said to reboot. Soon, I was on Skype with the builder, and after seeing it for himself, he concluded that Windows was being glitchy—which he assured me that it tended to happen a lot with custom rigs—and that the best thing to do would be to reinstall it. So he sent me a copy of windows through Dropbox, which I burned using a neighbor's computer (since my only other computer was XP and wasn't cooperating with IMG Burn), and, after a number of attempts, managed to get it to actually begin installing. However, something was wrong with the copy, so it aborted the installation. The builder-guy then directed me to an online torrent that he assured me was reliable. However, once in finally managed to burn a copy of that (again, on my neighbor's computer), I found that I couldn't install it because the wizard wasn't listing the drive. And when I try to boot the computer, it always fails, or goes directly to startup repair. So basically, I can't boot the computer at all, and I can' the install windows because the driver isn't listed. Does anyone know how to fix this?

ashttreylil · 04 Oct 2013

does your computer have the windows activation sticker on the case somewhere?

DocBrown · 04 Oct 2013

Wellcome Akula417 :)

I would be very cautious of a custom builder sending you to a torrent to download win7 Ultimate. This is the most Pirated / cracked version of win7 on the internet. Did he give you a valid COA Key Code for it ?

Can you give us any info about the make & mode of the Hard Drive ?

gregrocker · 04 Oct 2013

Win7 cannot legally be preinstalled and resold by an OEM or builder without affixing a COA sticker proving the installed OS is genuine. The sticker looks similar to this:

HDD isn't shown when reinstalling Windows-coa-stickers.gif

If you have that sticker with a readable Product Key then you can reinstall with the official Win7 installer provided in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 following those same steps which assure a perfect install. We will see to it that you get a perfect install if you work with us.

If you don't have a COA sticker or Product Key then I would contact the builder to ask for one, or ask for that portion of what you were charged to be refunded so you can buy a genuine copy of Win7. You would probably want to buy a builder's OEM copy from a reputable retailer which retails about $100, although if you have any retail copy of XP or Vista laying around (even if it's never installed) it qualifies for Upgrade version, which costs about the same but can migrate in case the mobo dies on the new build.

If you have a Bill of Sale which itemizes Win7 proving it was sold to you then you can make a claim with MS Customer service which has a program to provide a free copy for those who cooperate with piracy investigations. You might mention to the builder that you are being advised to pursue your options since it is a serious crime to sell pirated WIn7. He may come up with a genuine copy of WIn7 yet, or refund enough to buy one.

Akula417 · 05 Oct 2013

The hard drive is a Western Digital WD AV-GP WD10EURX: Western Digital WD AV-GP WD10EURX 1TB IntelliPower 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive - Newegg.com
There's no sticker on the case. The builder assured me that his windows was genuine. But right now, I'm only worried about why my drive isn't listing in he installer.

Edit: my dad (the computer's owner) just informed me that this whole fiasco only happened after he unwittingly accepted a windows verification notice while he was isntalling the Unreal UDK, which notified him that the windows was fake, and then the computer began acting up.

bigmck · 05 Oct 2013

Akula417 said:

Edit: my dad (the computer's owner) just informed me that this whole fiasco only happened after he unwittingly accepted a windows verification notice while he was isntalling the Unreal UDK, which notified him that the windows was fake, and then the computer began acting up.

If you can get to the Windows Desktop, I would suggest a System Restore to a date before the notice above. == Your also need to ask your builder if he activated Windows. Just because he installs a genuine Windows version, it also needs to be activated. That is why you need the COA sticker that was discussed above.

Akula417 · 05 Oct 2013

All that's coming up is startup repair, and there's no restore point saved.

Also, just to clarify, when I said that he computer started acting up when the verification found that it wasn't genuine, my dad told me that it basically said that his OS was being disabled. It seems weird to me, since for a time, the rig could still be booted up. But can Microsoft actually do that? Does it seem like that is what happened?

bigmck · 05 Oct 2013

Akula417 said:

All that's coming up is startup repair, and there's no restore point saved.

Also, just to clarify, when I said that he computer started acting up when the verification found that it wasn't genuine, my dad told me that it basically said that his OS was being disabled. It seems weird to me, since for a time, the rig could still be booted up. But can Microsoft actually do that? Does it seem like that is what happened?

I would say that it never was activated. Yes, if you don't put the Product Key in to acivate the Win 7 within 30 days, it will shut you down. You need to get back to the builder and tell him that Win 7 is not activated and that you need a Product Key. He should give you a Win 7 DVD and a Product Key on a Sticker like in a message above.

gregrocker · 05 Oct 2013

I asked you if you have a COA sticker on the PC or provided to you proving the WIn7 preinstalled by the builder is Genuine? Please answer the question.

Unless you have a legal Product Key then downloading WIn7 from a torrent sounds like piracy. We have zero tolerance here for piracy.

You need to work with us to get this squared away now. Focus only on the questions you've been asked, answer back truthfully and we will show you the best path.

Akula417 · 05 Oct 2013

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-8lDYrvTILc

There was no sticker, but I'm pretty sure he was using a legit key. There were a lot of complications with getting the thing built, between shipping and incompatible parts, so maybe he just wanted to get it out as fast as possible, and forgot to verify it, or put on the sticker. I wouldn't acuse him of piracy just yet. I've been trying to contact him, and have informed him of everything that's happened so far. but he can tend to go a while without checking his email. I'll update when he does finally reply.