Windows will not install to 80 GB IDE

matt965 · 22 Jun 2014

When it loads, I see the screen that asks for what language I'm using. Next it takes me to the license terms page. Then it goes to the list of devices to install Windows to, which is only the hard drive it doesn't like.

gregrocker · 22 Jun 2014

Click on the Drive Options shown. Delete partition and create/format another

Are you using an installer with SP1? Try another.

Test the HD with WD Data Lifeguard bootable stick from WD Support / Downloads / SATA & SAS / WD VelociRaptor.

DocBrown · 22 Jun 2014

I think when I had this problem a long time ago, I used the bootable Partition Wizard CD to make the HD "raw" "unallocated". Then the win7 install saw it, and automaticly formated it during the install.

matt965 · 22 Jun 2014

@Greg
this is the first release of 7. No service packs. I'll give that lifeguard thing a go.
I pulled out my 60 gig ide drive that has XP. It is also behaving the same way. It is the only drive selected to boot from the list, yet the it is acting like nothing is installed on the drive. This has to be something in the BIOS.

@doc
That was the first thing I tried when I downloaded the partition ISO. It didn't affect anything.

DocBrown · 22 Jun 2014

Do you have any other HD's connected during the install ? Just the 80gb, right ?

matt965 · 22 Jun 2014

Right now I have the 80GB and a DVD/CD ROM hooked up to IDE. The hard drive is on Master and the DVD drive is on Slave.

DocBrown · 22 Jun 2014

So, if you boot from the Partition Wizard CD via your DVD drive, does it show the 80gb HD ?
Does it show only one partition, or more than one ?

matt965 · 22 Jun 2014

It does show the drive. Only 1 partition.

DocBrown · 22 Jun 2014

With Partition Wizard, did you delete the partition, and then Apply the new settings, and ReBoot ?
With NO CD or DVD in the drive you should get a message Operating system not found.
Then if you ReBoot again with the win7 DVD in the drive, it should start the install.
Or do you get the message Cannot install to this HD ?

gregrocker · 22 Jun 2014

matt965 said:

@Greg
this is the first release of 7. No service packs. I'll give that lifeguard thing a go.
I pulled out my 60 gig ide drive that has XP. It is also behaving the same way. It is the only drive selected to boot from the list, yet the it is acting like nothing is installed on the drive. This has to be something in the BIOS.

.

Then use the latest official installer with SP1 from Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7, burned to disk using tool also provided.