Hard Drive not recognized in install.

[ggperry]

I am trying to install windows 7 on a new 320GB SATA drive in my Compaq V6560 but won't recognise the new drive. The drive works (lights on + can hear it) but on installing it goes so far until 'when do you want to install windows' but the drive isn't listed. My motherboard is a Quanta 30cc & chipset Intel GM965. My current drive is an 80GB one. I'm sure my laptop can handle a 320GB so I assume its a driver problem? However, I have no idea what exactly I'm supposed to download? I have looked on the Inter site and there stuff to download but don't seem to be for 'fresh' installations & just for installing 'over' vista or xp... I dunno tbh. Can anyone help ? Thank you.

 

[Dinesh]

Hi there, please boot into BIOS and run a test on hdd just to check if the drive is fine. Its a new HDD still check it. If windows dvd still cant detect the new hdd, just boot into a linux live cd, open disk utility and format the hard drive with ntfs partiton. Then windows shall detecxt your new hdd.

 

[ggperry]

can't do anything in bios as there's no advanced tab to check it recognised it, although there is a check disk option or something (also another to check memory) but there's no disk to check. so i guess from that bios doesn't recognise the drive. will formatting via linux actually work though?

 

[Dinesh]

it should work. Try ubuntu or linuxmint live cd.

 

[gregrocker]

If the HD doesn't' register in BIOS, then check the connections, use another cable, read manual or setup sheet to make sure you have correctly completed HD install.

When it registers in BIOS, if it still doesn't show up on "Where do you want to install Windows" screen during booted install, you may need to load SATA controller drivers at "Load Drivers" link in bottom corner of that screen. Unzip to stick, browse until driver is picked up.

 

[ggperry]

Getting the actual driver is the problem I'm having. Not sure what to download.

 

[whs]

The BIOS should recognize it in any case, formatted or not. There may be a problem with the connections. If you cannot see it in the BIOS, it is most likely a physical hardware problem.

LOL - Greg is always faster than me.

 

[madmansam]

I am trying to install windows 7 on a new 320GB SATA drive in my Compaq V6560 but won't recognise the new drive. The drive works (lights on + can hear it) but on installing it goes so far until 'when do you want to install windows' but the drive isn't listed. My motherboard is a Quanta 30cc & chipset Intel GM965. My current drive is an 80GB one. I'm sure my laptop can handle a 320GB so I assume its a driver problem? However, I have no idea what exactly I'm supposed to download? I have looked on the Inter site and there stuff to download but don't seem to be for 'fresh' installations & just for installing 'over' vista or xp... I dunno tbh. Can anyone help ? Thank you.

You saying a new sata drive .. Is it the same fitting and model as the old one ???

 

[ggperry]

its a new hard drive yeah. replacing the old 80gb sata with a new 320gb sata. when the new one is in the hd light flickers like normal & i can hear it spinning away. all connections etc look ok.

 

[ggperry]

it should work. Try ubuntu or linuxmint live cd.

is this ok to try PCLinuxOS LXDE ? or can you provide a link for the live cd if this isn't correct thanks.

 

[whs]

Have you checked whether you can see it in Disk Management. If yes, you can initialize it from there.

 

[ggperry]

Disk Management ? its a new drive with no os on it.

 

[whs]

Disk Management ? its a new drive with no os on it.

Oh, sorry. Missed the laptop part.

 

[Dinesh]

yes it will do.

 

[gregrocker]

The HD driver is the SATA controller driver, a part of the chipset normally.

 

[Dinesh]

Solved Hard Drive - Unable to Select or Delete during Installation - Vista Forums

 

[ggperry]

Tried the linux install, again no hd found. Tried it on another laptop, no hd found. Its a brand new hd, so shouldn't be knackered. Its a sata II drive and so would it work on my (assumed) sata/sata I controller? Think this laptop is 3/4 years old.

 

[wee]

Tried the linux install, again no hd found. Tried it on another laptop, no hd found. Its a brand new hd, so shouldn't be knackered. Its a sata II drive and so would it work on my (assumed) sata/sata I controller? Think this laptop is 3/4 years old.

Have you tried to see if changing the bios from sata to ide has the HD showing. Shouldn't have to do this but one never knows. You can also get a straight bootable gparted iso which is what I think disc management is actually using. GParted -- Live CD/USB/PXE/HD

If you have a Linux live CD did you look for gparted or just try and install, and got to the partitioner? Also tell us the make and model of the laptop if your having trouble chances are others have as well, Google is our friend once in awhile.

 

[ggperry]

no option in bios to do that. think linux just loaded from disk but when i tried to access hd via linux it said no hd was present. i am left assuming this laptop can't support SATA II ? it seems to have 4 extra pins on the back, not sure if they mean anything? it plugs in fine, like normal & my pc does (via a light) say its working, at least there's power to it & i can hear it working.

Its a Compaq V6560 Quanta 30cc motherboard & chipset is Intel GM965.

 

[madmansam]

Tried the linux install, again no hd found. Tried it on another laptop, no hd found. Its a brand new hd, so shouldn't be knackered. Its a sata II drive and so would it work on my (assumed) sata/sata I controller? Think this laptop is 3/4 years old.

You didn't say it is sata2 earlier ..I hope you did.. SataII drives do work with sata1 boards, there is a jumper on them that selects the 150mb speed .