I can't reinstall Win7 or Win8, help!!!

[sep]

I have a friends notebook that was upgraded to Win 8 Pro from Win 7 Home. It's a dell I. 1564. She tried to re-install Win8 after some issues and hasn't been able to do anything since. Win7 install doesn't see the drive only Win8 lets me see the drive, but I can't install. I keep getting errors (can't write, format, etc.). Please help as I'm sure it's something simple.

 

[Ketchup]

I would start looking in the BIOS if you haven't already. There is usually an option (or two, or three) that control the UEFI mode. AHCI and IDE mode could also have something to do with this, although a fresh install should work either way.

 

[Berryracer]

you probably have the HDD or SSD formatted in GPT

try this

when you are at the partition screen in the Windows 7 setup, press SHIFT + F10

you will get a dos command prompt

type:

diskpart then hit enter
select disk 0 then hit enter
clean then hit enter
convert mbr then hit enter

now refresh the drivers in the windows 7 setup, then create the partition using the wizard, you should know be able to install

 

[Berryracer]

also, when you boot up and get the boot options, u may get something like UEFI: YOUR DVD DRIVE or simply, your DVD Drive, do not select the UEFI Mode


for Win 8, select the UEFI boot up and do the same steps as above but the last part which says convert mbr do a convert gpt and proceed

 

[sep]

Trying now...thanks

 

[sep]

I would start looking in the BIOS if you haven't already. There is usually an option (or two, or three) that control the UEFI mode. AHCI and IDE mode could also have something to do with this, although a fresh install should work either way.

Bios has no ref. to UEFI. I tried both AHCI and IDE mode.

How do I do a fresh install. Win7 says no drive.

Win8 shows but won't let me do anything. DISKPART doesn't show the drive. In the install it shows the drive Dos prompt doesn't show the drive.

Is there any way to just wipe the drive and start fresh?

 

[sep]

you probably have the HDD or SSD formatted in GPT

try this

when you are at the partition screen in the Windows 7 setup, press SHIFT + F10

you will get a dos command prompt

type:

diskpart then hit enter
select disk 0 then hit enter
clean then hit enter
convert mbr then hit enter

now refresh the drivers in the windows 7 setup, then create the partition using the wizard, you should know be able to install

Drive doesn't show up in the list (Windows install list or Diskpart).

 

[sep]

also, when you boot up and get the boot options, u may get something like UEFI: YOUR DVD DRIVE or simply, your DVD Drive, do not select the UEFI Mode

I don't get this option. I did see for Windows (EMS).

for Win 8, select the UEFI boot up and do the same steps as above but the last part which says convert mbr do a convert gpt and proceed

It show the drive in the partion list, but wont' let me do anything. it doesn't show in DISKPART....UGH!

 

[Underclocked]

You might give the Minitool Partition Wizard bootable file a try. Download the iso from

http://support.minitool.com/download/PW8.0/E14859AA-C736-4CD0-8454-D5CD3B432BC6-HE/pwhe8.iso Link should bring up the download box. I would extract it to a usb flash drive and boot from it.

 

[sep]

You might give the Minitool Partition Wizard bootable file a try. Download the iso from

http://support.minitool.com/download/PW8.0/E14859AA-C736-4CD0-8454-D5CD3B432BC6-HE/pwhe8.iso Link should bring up the download box. I would extract it to a usb flash drive and boot from it.

It seem to allow me to remove the partitions...trying to install Win8 now...

 

[sep]

#$!#@!...nope the partitions are still there. WTF!

Going to bed...5am comes early!

 

[Berryracer]

try to boot using the Parted Magic CD, then find your HDD, and do a complete Erase (wipe all partition tables) then try again

 

[sep]

: (

I wipe the partition and then it says bad drive. The partitions go right back. You would think if it's a bad drive I wouldn't be able to access it.

Going to reach out to Sandisk, model #SDSSDX240GG25, to see if it's under warranty.

 

[Berryracer]

: (

I wipe the partition and then it says bad drive. The partitions go right back. You would think if it's a bad drive I wouldn't be able to access it.

Going to reach out to Sandisk, model #SDSSDX240GG25, to see if it's under warranty.

I say nothing wrong with the Win 7 or Win 8 installer. it IS a bad drive. San Disk's products are crap in my experience

 

[JoeBleed]

would secure boot be the problem here?

You're saying windows 7 can't see anything but windows 8 can right?

can you do anything with the partitions in the windows 8 installer? or did i miss that? seems like you're trying to install windows 7, but i keep seeing you saying installing windows 8 so i'm not sure.

 

[Berryracer]

forgot to mention, to install Windows 7, you NEED to disable Secure Boot and Enable CMS otherwise it won't work

For Windows 8, you need to do the opposite, Disable CMS, Enable Fast Boot (if you have that option) and enable Secure Boot

 

[sep]

forgot to mention, to install Windows 7, you NEED to disable Secure Boot and Enable CMS otherwise it won't work

For Windows 8, you need to do the opposite, Disable CMS, Enable Fast Boot (if you have that option) and enable Secure Boot

Can't enable or disable anything. Drive is bad. Got an RMA.

Thanks to all for your help