Windows will not install to 80 GB IDE

[gregrocker]

@Greg
this is the first release of 7. No service packs. I'll give that lifeguard thing a go.

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

@Greg

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 . This has to be something in the BIOS.

Can you see that it makes no sense when you try to describe what happens when you try to boot XP drive? It would not be expected to boot at all without first Adjusting Win7 to boot on new hardware with Paragon Adaptive Restore CD . I thought I'd made that clear earlier when you still had the chance to adjust Win7 but formatted the disk instead. It would need to be set to IDE to start.


But please explain the behavior which disappeared from your sentence. And is it detected when you Install Now? If you don't want XP then can you delete partitions during install and create and format new? What happens then when you click Next?

 

[matt965]

@doc
I did apply the changes. Hard drive is currently Unallocated. I saw the message saying no bootable device. Windows refuses to install.


@Greg
I am downloading the new ISO now. It will be a while before that finishes. I'll come back here with an update once everything is done.

By the time you mentioned that Windows 7 could be adjusted, I had already formatted the drive.
I used the 60 gig as well just to see if it would attempt to boot that. I said the computer is acting like nothing is there. I don't get a BSOD (I'm expecting it to do this if it boots) or anything. It just says there is no volume to boot from. That's what is making me think it is the BIOS. The drive is seen in the BIOS and in setup, but windows won't install. When I click next, it gives me a message saying it couldn't find a partition to install.

 

[gregrocker]

Will Diskpart see it from the installer's Command Line to format an Active partition as shown in Overcoming Windows 7 Installation Failures ?

 

[matt965]

yes

 

[gregrocker]

What was the drive's extended diagnostics result?

Try everything in the Overcoming tutorial before we give you any more steps.


Have you reset BIOS to defaults? Set SATA controller to AHCI?

Have you tried a fresh ISO burned to DVD or flash stick? Try each method separately.

Do not skip any steps as the skipped step often turns out to be the solution.

 

[matt965]

I tried all of them. Nothing has changed. I booted from DVD and USB, reset the BIOS to defaults, the disk drive tested good with an error/status code 0000. The controller was originally set to IDE. I changed it to AHCI and still no go. I tried the overcoming tutorial again, still doesn't work.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you try a fresh ISO download? Exactly how was it burned to disk or flash stick?

We need to know the exact Clean Install Windows 7 failure point and verbatim error message, if any.

Try separate IDE cables set to CS. Or try only HD on cable set to CS.

 

[matt965]

Yes I tried it with the sp1 installer you linked earlier. I burned the DVD with the stock burner that came with 7 on my other PC. I created the bootable USB ISO using Rufus.

I will try using different cables when I get home; I've got plenty of those.

 

[matt965]

No other suggestions?

 

[gregrocker]

You must use the special tool in tutorial or ImgBurn at 4x speed to burn DVD.

Since you're not following thoroughly the tutorial you've not reported back the info we need. Go back and follow the steps and this time don't pick and choose. Thoroughness is the only way these problems are solved

 

[matt965]

I tried that, still wouldn't work.

I messed with a setting in the BIOS called PCI IDE BusMaster. This was set to Enabled. After disabling this, Windows 7 was able to install. Does anyone know what this setting does? I've never heard of it.

 

[AddRAM]

I thought he was still using an 80 GB IDE drive Greg :huh:

But when in doubt, as Greg said, setting the bios to defaults usually cures the problem, glad you got`er going

 

[Layback Bear]

Okay I'm also lost.
What hard drive was Windows 7 finally installed?
Was it installed AHCI or IDE?

 

[gregrocker]

Did you install on a SATA drive? Why would turning off the IDE Bus resolve an installation on an IDE drive? Tech ARP - PCI IDE Busmaster

I'd double check that.

 

[matt965]

I am still using the 80 GB IDE drive which is the only hard drive in the machine. It is working perfectly. I did notice something, though. If I have this setting disabled, windows 7 32-bit will not install. If the setting is set to enabled, windows 7 64-bit will not install. Not sure why this is the case. Resetting the BIOS to defaults sets the IDE BusMaster to 'enabled.'

@Layback Bear
It is set to IDE.