SSD is making me want to break something (W7 install attempt)

[jme5343]

Putting together an HTPC with the following:

ASUS P8Z68-V LX
OCZ 64gb Agility 3 SSD
Corsair ram
New PSU
No video card (on board)

I read enough beforehand to know that you need to have the BIOS for the SATA to AHCI, I've done that.
Sometimes on startup, it will recognize the SSD in the BIOS, sometimes not.
I also tried in IDE mode - this is the only way I can consistently get the drive to show up.


The closest I got to a complete install was after deleting the system reserve and the normal partition and trying that. It went to like 99% of copying windows files and then I got an error telling me it couldn't finish writing locally or some such garbage.

Now, when I fire back up, I'm lucky to see it in the BIOS.

I've tried different cables, different ports, even flipping different computers and can't get it to work. I returned a MicroCenter SSD with some different issues this morning, and fully expected this to go better, but it hasn't.

I'm about to give up and just partition the WD GREEN for an OS partition and storage partition.

Is there some simple step I'm missing?

 

[Bubbaleone]

Make sure the SSD is connected to SATA connector 0 (or 1, depending on your mobo). You're already set to AHCI which is correct. If it's recognized in BIOS, you need to do the NTFS format prior to OS installation. If it still fails to be recognized in BIOS I'd suspect it's DOA.

 

[jme5343]

Here's what I just tried.

Change BIOS to IDE mode, got it to recognize SSD and then boot into windows install. Deleted all partitions on drive, but it won't let me install because the BIOS settings are incorrect (wasn't in AHCI)

Reset, changed BIOS SATA settings to AHCI

Booted back into Windows 7 and created a partition
Formatted new partition 84 (okay 3, but I'm frustrated and for some reason it made me feel better)
Commenced with W7 install
It copied windows files, expanded windows files, installed features, installed updates, and then restarted with no errors given.

THEN IT TAKES ME RIGHT BACK TO THE INTIAL INSTALL SCREENS!!!!!

It did this twice before I shut it off.

On restart, it gave me the option of either install, neither one worked.

Now I'm going to try to reformat and do another install.

EDIT: And now it says it can't continue due to a corrupted installation file. This sucks.

 

[jme5343]

Here's an update:

Was able to make it through the install, rebooted a couple times just fine (wow, fast!)
Installed the stuff that ASUS drivers from the disc.
Noticed usb port for wireless usb receiver wasn't working.
Restarted.
Doesn't recognize the ssd on the first 6gb/s port.
Moved it to a SATA 3gb/s port and recognized it, but wouldn't boot.
Moved back to the other SATA 6gb/s port and recognized it, says a disk read error.
Moved back to original SATA 6gb/s port and it says a disk read error occurred.

This is truly one of the most frustrating builds I've ever had.

 

[Bubbaleone]

I have two suggestions:

1] If you can boot into Windows, open REGEDIT (You can also access REGEDIT from the advanced recovery options by tapping the F8 key during boot, or by booting from the install DVD) and go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\msahci

In the right pane, right-click the value "Start", and then click Modify.

In the Value data box, type 0 (3 is default), and then click OK.

On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor.

Restart your computer.

Go to BIOS and check that AHCI is enabled. Save and reboot.

Another restart will be required to finish the driver installation.

2] Since this is a new install, and if the above doesn't solve the problem, check the firmware revision then go to the OCZ Firmware Updates page and see if there's a newer revision. Be aware that updating the firmware may cause data loss, so be prepared to reinstall in that event.


.

 

[Puppies04]

Also try updating your mobos bios, there have been several updates that claim to fix SSD instability.

 

[jme5343]

Will update the SSD firmware if I can, did that on the MicroCenter drive last night (to no avail).

Sadly, can't boot into windows.

I updated the Mobo bios earlier today as well.

 

[jme5343]

Tried EVERYTHING, no luck.

So, I installed W7 to the 2.5TB WD (same slot (1), same cable, same everything) and what do you know, it worked just splendidly.

I added the OCZ drive as a secondary and Windows saw it just fine, formatted it, updated the firmware to 2.2 with OCZ's utility.

Rebooted with OCZ in slot 1. Bios didn't recognize.
Rebooted with OCZ in slot 2. Bios DID recognize.
Installed W7 with OCZ in slot 2. Install went through the motions.
On W7 initiated restart, it tried to install again, not recognizing that the OCZ already had W7 on it.

On an apples-to-apples basis, this drive has cost me probably 30 hours. It saves an approximated 30 seconds (that's being very liberal). I would have to shut down and restart the htpc 3600 times to get my time back at this point (obviously not calculating the performance gains for programs, but I can't quantify that without ever. having. an. SSD. that. worked. correctly.

I said screw it, it has to be the drive, no?

 

[RU482]

just a thought...buy a new SATA cable

 

[jme5343]

I tried multiple SATA cables - went ahead and grabbed a different board that I'll install today - should tell me whether I need to RMA the asus board or the SSD...

 

[Ghiedo27]

OCZ drives are pretty sketchy. I went through the same visible / invisible drive issues with an agility 2. I tried all the same stuff with bios versions, cables, drive modes, sata ports, etc. Even tried it in another computer. I sent it back and got another one that has worked great for about a year so far.

Get a new drive now before you (hopefully) still have the box and don't have any personal data on the line (or warranty/return issues), IMO.

 

[sm625]

OCZ... there's your problem. You realize that even if you get it to install you are going to end up going through much worse when it dies in a couple months.

Actually I've had problems installing on an M4 too. It is almost as if they are too fast for windows setup!

THEN IT TAKES ME RIGHT BACK TO THE INTIAL INSTALL SCREENS!!!!!

This sounds like maybe you're not setup to boot off the drive, and it is just booting off the CD first and rerunning setup. Once you go through the initial install, see if it will boot with the DVD drive empty. ie, just take the disk out once it does its first reboot.

 

[jme5343]

I grabbed a different board and everything is peachy. I'm going to RMA the ASUS and build a second machine for the upstairs tv.