Cannot install Windows onto new SSD - help please!

Beagle · 5 Dec 2011 at 21:00

Hi all,

Finally got round to treating myself to a new Crucial M4 SSD. However, I'm having a problem.
I understand that the SATA controller should be set to AHCI mode in the BIOS. The problem is, if I do this, then I'm unable to boot from the Windows 7 disc (I get a message that says: "DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER."
If I revert back to IDE mode, I can boot from the disc fine. I can see both drives OK in the BIOS, and I've set the boot order to favour the CD ROM.

So how can I get around this problem and install Windows? And what's causing it?

BTE, I'm using an ABIT IP35 pro board.

Cheers!

Surveyor · 5 Dec 2011 at 23:47

You could install using IDE mode and then carry out a small fix afterwards so that you can switch to AHCI mode.

You would need to apply the "Fix it" here.

After you've installed Windows run the "Fix it" in the link, restart the PC and go straight into the BIOS, change the SATA mode to AHCI, save the changes and the PC will start again and you should be using AHCI mode.

The downside is that after you've switched back to AHCI mode your CD/DVD drive may not work as it doesn't seem to like that mode.

Alternatively just use IDE mode if you want a working CD/DVD drive.

And whatever mode you use disconnect all drives apart from the SSD and CD/DVD until you've finished installing Windows.

lrlcr · 5 Dec 2011 at 23:50

stick win7 onto a USB key and run it from that.

Surveyor · 6 Dec 2011 at 00:27

lrlcr said:
stick win7 onto a USB key and run it from that.

It'd be quicker to do it my way and your way still doesn't solve the problem of the OP's CD/DVD drive not liking AHCI mode.

panyan · 6 Dec 2011 at 00:45

with my board i have an option to have AHCI/IDE for EACH drive

if you have the same, try the disc drive in IDE and the m4 in AHCI

Surveyor · 6 Dec 2011 at 00:53

panyan said:
with my board i have an option to have AHCI/IDE for EACH drive

if you have the same, try the disc drive in IDE and the m4 in AHCI

Looking at at the IP35 Pro manual it looks like all the drives have to be set to the same mode.

Beagle · 6 Dec 2011 at 10:15

Surveyor said:
Looking at at the IP35 Pro manual it looks like all the drives have to be set to the same mode.

yeah. Although one thing I've noticed is that I have two SATA settings I can change: 'on-chip SATA' and 'PCI SATA'. I suppose I need to change both to AHCI?

Thanks for the replies - reckon I'll try the USB stick method first. Seems quite straight forward. (as long as a 4GB USB is big enough!).

If I can't use my DVD/CD after that, then I suppose I'll have to get a newer one.