Invisible Hard Drive

[crispylinks]

When i tried to reformat my computer via a clean windows 7 install, the windows 7 installer couldn't see any drives to install to. So, I dug through the settings a little bit and found that my computer can't see my harddrive either. This is particularly bizarre since the computer works. I can see my C and D drive, and I can access all my files. My computer just won't recognize it in device manager or computer management.

I figure i need to get my computer to see my drives before i reinstall windows, so can anyone help me out?

I am running an Acer Aspire 5720Z
Intel dial core T2330 (1.6 ghz)
2GB DDR2

 

[Darician]

Wait wait wait. Ler me understand this to make sure I'm not missing something. You're saying right now within Windows 7, you can see your C: and D: Drive if you to "Computer" but when attempting to install when booting from the DVD, you can't see the drives there. If that's the case, then most likely what you need are SATA Drivers for your laptop when initially installing. You should be able to obtain these from the Acer Support Site.

I'm still a bit confused by what you mean when you say "and found that my computer can't see my harddrive either." Could you perhaps clarify that point?

 

[crispylinks]

Wait wait wait. Ler me understand this to make sure I'm not missing something. You're saying right now within Windows 7, you can see your C: and D: Drive if you to "Computer" but when attempting to install when booting from the DVD, you can't see the drives there. If that's the case, then most likely what you need are SATA Drivers for your laptop when initially installing. You should be able to obtain these from the Acer Support Site.

I'm still a bit confused by what you mean when you say "and found that my computer can't see my harddrive either." Could you perhaps clarify that point?

Yes. That is exactly correct. Also I want to mention that I am using the digital river preorder upgrade version not a bootable disk.

And yea, i am trying the SATA driver thing now, but im worried it may be a busted harddrive

 

[crispylinks]

Also, in the event that the harddrive turns out to be bad, is there a way to make the installer bootable? So like, if I replace my harddrive in the laptop with a new one, is it possible to boot the upgrade version somehow and still install fully?

 

[derekimo]

Also, in the event that the harddrive turns out to be bad, is there a way to make the installer bootable? So like, if I replace my harddrive in the laptop with a new one, is it possible to boot the upgrade version somehow and still install fully?

You can create a disk,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/548-burn-disc-image-iso-img-file.html

Or a USB installer,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html

 

[crispylinks]

Also, in the event that the harddrive turns out to be bad, is there a way to make the installer bootable? So like, if I replace my harddrive in the laptop with a new one, is it possible to boot the upgrade version somehow and still install fully?

You can create a disk,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/548-burn-disc-image-iso-img-file.html

Or a USB installer,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html

I considered that, but doesn't that only work for fresh versions? Like, I pre-ordered windows 7 and got the digitalriver version. That version works by executing setup from withing windows. Are you saying I can make something that wasn't intended to be bootable bootable?

 

[derekimo]

Also, in the event that the harddrive turns out to be bad, is there a way to make the installer bootable? So like, if I replace my harddrive in the laptop with a new one, is it possible to boot the upgrade version somehow and still install fully?

You can create a disk,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/548-burn-disc-image-iso-img-file.html

Or a USB installer,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html

I considered that, but doesn't that only work for fresh versions? Like, I pre-ordered windows 7 and got the digitalriver version. That version works by executing setup from withing windows. Are you saying I can make something that wasn't intended to be bootable bootable?

OK, Look at this one,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/30470-make-bootable-iso-student-d-l.html

 

[crispylinks]

That....Might do the trick. Thanks, I'll post when i know if it worked.

 

[derekimo]

That....Might do the trick. Thanks, I'll post when i know if it worked.

You're welcome,

Keep us posted.

 

[crispylinks]

YES!!! It worked. Thanks a lot for all your help guys. I didn't know an EXE could be made bootable through any procedure. Thanks a bunch. I am going to use this to reformat from now on. Cheers!

 

[derekimo]

YES!!! It worked. Thanks a lot for all your help guys. I didn't know an EXE could be made bootable through any procedure. Thanks a bunch. I am going to use this to reformat from now on. Cheers!

Glad to hear it, you're very welcome and thanks for posting back.