Can't choose my new SSD when installing win7

[tonyspitz]

I've read some threads about people installing windows 7 onto a new SSD, but no one seems to be running into the exact same problem as me.

My situation:
I've got windows xp running right now on my old HDD. Been using it for years. I got a new SSD for christmas and a copy of windows 7. I've already put World of Warcraft on my SSD and have the SSD set as the D drive in dynamic configuration (i'm not exactly sure what that means).

I put in the windows 7 installation disk, and go through the first few screens. Once it gets to the screen where I choose "where" to install windows 7, the only HD it lets me choose is the old HDD with windows xp on it. The SSD shows up, but I can't choose it!

Any ideas of why? Is it because I've already used it a bit and installed some programs on it?

If I just take out my old HDD for a bit, will it let me install windows 7 onto the SSD because it's the only possible choice?

Sorry if these seem like amateur questions, but quite frankly I am an amateur when it comes to installing a new OS on a new HD.

Thanks so much all,

-Tony

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

I've read some threads about people installing windows 7 onto a new SSD, but no one seems to be running into the exact same problem as me.

My situation:
I've got windows xp running right now on my old HDD. Been using it for years. I got a new SSD for christmas and a copy of windows 7. I've already put World of Warcraft on my SSD and have the SSD set as the D drive in dynamic configuration (i'm not exactly sure what that means).

I put in the windows 7 installation disk, and go through the first few screens. Once it gets to the screen where I choose "where" to install windows 7, the only HD it lets me choose is the old HDD with windows xp on it. The SSD shows up, but I can't choose it!

Any ideas of why? Is it because I've already used it a bit and installed some programs on it?

Why? It may not be marked as an active partition. If the Windows 7 installer lets you "format" it, I would just go ahead and do that, then put WoW on it later. OSes typically cannot be installed on a partition that is marked as active. BUT if you do it from Within XP, you take a risk of the drive with XP on it losing it's active mark and no longer being bootable as it is now.

At least that's how I've always known it to be.

If I just take out my old HDD for a bit, will it let me install windows 7 onto the SSD because it's the only possible choice?

Probably not. See above

Sorry if these seem like amateur questions, but quite frankly I am an amateur when it comes to installing a new OS on a new HD.

Thanks so much all,

-Tony

Tony, we all have to start somewhere.

 

[whs]

1. You need a clean SSD - no WoW on it.
2. I do not quite understand the "dynamic" part - that sounds like a Raid setup.
3. If you post a snip of your Disk Management, that will help further discussion.

 

[gregrocker]

I'm not sure how you got to a Dynamic disk already on a new SSD - usually its only offered when making a fourth Primary partition.

But you need to copy your files off of it to the HD, power down to unplug the HD, boot the Win7 DVD Repair Command Line to convert it to Dynamic Disk using this method:
Change a dynamic disk back to a basic disk: Storage Services; Local File Systems
How to Boot to DISKPART at PC Startup

Then close Command Line, boot back into DVD to Install Now, select Custom Install, use Drive Options to create install partition, format and click Next to start Install: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

If you have an Upgrade version, it may reject key during install. Leave it blank, after Install do one of the workarounds here (Registry edit is easiest) and then activate at Computer>Properties link: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[tonyspitz]

Once I get back to my computer I'll definitely do some of the suggestions you have given me. I can't express enough how grateful I am for people like YOU who help people you don't even know with their computer headaches!

Thank you,

Tony

 

[gregrocker]

No problem, Tony. We're glad to help.

Let us know how it goes. Someone is here to help all the time.

 

[tonyspitz]

Sorry for responding a couple days late, but that's because I don't have any more problems!

I simply removed all of the data on my SSD, converted it back into a basic disk, and then ran the installation like normal. Didn't run into any problems whatsoever from that point on.

Thanks again guys, you're all the best!

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

Sorry for responding a couple days late, but that's because I don't have any more problems!

I simply removed all of the data on my SSD, converted it back into a basic disk, and then ran the installation like normal. Didn't run into any problems whatsoever from that point on.

Thanks again guys, you're all the best!

Ecellent, you're welcome!

 

[Golden]

Great job gregrocker, whs and jelyman.

Tony,

Once you have the PC running the way you want to, you might want to check this out for some tips on optimising your SSD. You may or may not want to to implement all or some of them, but they are there for you to consider:

Guide * Windows 7 Ultimate Tweaks & Utilities *

Good luck,
Golden