Windows can't see the hard drive.

No it doesnt, that's the point why I am writing here :)
Tonight I will try a different HDD.

I had a similar problem. I could see the hdd in device manager but not in windows explorer. I fixed it using computer management (right click computer on start menu).

In computer management, I went to disk management, right clicked on the disk and clicked change drive letter and paths, assigned a letter (it did not have an assigned letter for some reason)

Now its working fine.

I have tried to install with different ATA drive and it does not work, too. So I had to use a SATA disk.

WINDOWS 7 INSTALL CAN’T SEE YOUR HARD DRIVE?

Brand new member here… been reading these forums for years and finally decided to post.

I might have an additional solution to those who are trying to install windows 7 and its not able to see a hard drive. I’ve tried installing this on a DELL DIMENSION 5150 DESKTOP (3.0GHz/1GB/160GB for $150 on CL + Monitor!!!). Finally found a solution for my problem:

1)For using an absolutely blank drive that windows 7 doesn’t recognize, try this:
Install any windows operating system (I successfully used XP, Vista, and some “other” version of windows XP that I got from our trusted torrent sites).
2)I know it takes like 40 minutes, but just let it do its thing. Once its COMPETELY installed, take that disk out, and shut down. Use a paperclip or something to get the disk drive open. Insert your windows 7 install disk. Boot from DVD.
3)Go through the same painful steps you’ve been through when the OS Install discs goes through the steps. When I got to the “which volume do you want to install OS to”… my drive was there. It must be that windows 7 is looking for system volume information or something (only a novice here)…

Hope this works for you. I tried everything else that hasn’t worked. Hopefully I was clear on all this, if you have questions as to what I did, send me an AIM @jcoleman728. Been using XP Pro for years, Vista sucks, almost went with a mac, trying out Windows 7, hope its cool.

Over and out~

-J

I'm having the same problem. Trying to install Windows 7, and the BIOS reads my drive but Windows won't.

When do I press F6? And do I have to set up jumper setting on the HD itself for SATA? I thought that was just he IDE drives?

I'm confused.

HELP!


Dave :0)

jackdanielsmd,

Nice idea. i just thought of this option as well (thought I haven't tried it).

Do you think it would work if you set up the drive as an external drive on another machine - essentially formatting and running drivers on it that way, then transferred it to windows 7 for installation? This might be a quicker option that installing one OS on top of the other?

Dave

@Dave,

I think I tried something similar to that. But Windows 7 still didnt recognize my drive. Not to say that it wouldn't work for someone else. Interestingly enough, Windows 7 did recognize a Seagate 80GB Barracuda drive for me after a fresh format (no idea why) and I was able to install on first pass. But I wanted to install on a 160GB Seagate Barracuda so I would have more hard disk space... I tried to clone the 80GB drive to the 160GB using a Western Digital backup utility that came with a MyBook. That didn't work =( The only thing that did (for me) was installing XP Pro and then immediately installing Windows 7 right over it.

monkeyboy is correct
i had the same problem and i fixxed it this way!!!!!!

Yeah, just wanted to say thanks to monkeyboy :) I had the exact same problem, tried his suggestion and it fixed it instantly

Hello my name is colin and i have had a problem with installing windows 7 for 2 days now. When i do a clean install of windows 7 ultimate, i get this message pop up saying that windows carnt find my disk drivers. I have searched online to find my drivers for my computer but no luck. My computer is a acer aspire m1201. Here is a link so you can see what the specs are; Acer Support: Acer Aspire M1201 Desktop Series Specifications I had windows 7 on this computer before and it has worked fine but recently i have downloaded ubuntu so i have no access to windows at all. I have tried to reboot it back to the default but no luck as my hard drive is missing without the drivers... Help please!