Unable to Install Win7 Ultimate

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Tuneuki

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Nov 16, 2014
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Hello everyone.

I'm trying to reimage an HP ProBook 6470b and I am running across a few problems after attempting a Clean Install.

-No hard drives are showing up any longer.

-Loading any kind of drivers on a USB stick is not being shown or the USB drive itself is not being recognized.

-I have gone through the command prompt once already to possibly fix the partition issue, but with no luck.

Someone please help me...this machine is for my cousin so she can use it for school and I don't want to disappoint her. Thanks in advance!
 
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First verify the HDD(s) are being properly detected in BIOS, if that's the case then you could try to slipstream their SATA drivers into your windows installation disk, for that follow this guide (it's for XP but it's the same procedure for Windows 7): http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72185-sata-drivers-slipstream-into-windows-xp-cd.html

This way the installation should detect the HDDs without the need to load the drivers from a pendrive.
 
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So you have a 2012 laptop your trying to clean install with a copy of Windows.
First WHERE is this Windows from? is this copy a OEM (your DELL disk? for example)?
If so it won't work on any other computer you try installing it on.
Where is the original CDs for this HP?
If you don't have them are you using a STORE bought copy of Windows 7 to install then?

I am suspecting your copy of Windows may not be 'legit' for this specific HP model is the ultimate culprit here.
 
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I feel like I am suddenly on trial here. The original CDs are non-existent as it was a hand-me-down machine with Windows 7 Professional 64-bit already installed on it. The only reason I am re-imaging it, is because there is something corrupting her hard drive and after running System Repair overnight, I had her back up everything to an external and decided to reimage her machine with a Windows 7 Ultimate Disc borrowed from a friend. Legit copy, too.
 
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It isn't legit if 'borrowed' (as in to be returned) from a friend.
That Win7 Ultimate Disc, is it a OEM (note I am being specific here)? Or Store bought?
If your 'friend' just 'burned' a copy then it is NOT legit and there can be ANY number of issues with it outside of what I am pointing to, which you may not seem to be aware of based on your response.

The questions I am asking is due to the legal restrictions on the OEMs (Dell, HP, Gateway, etc.) that when they sell a computer with a copy of Windows BELOW the cost of Windows (almost Free in most cases) then the copy has to be 'engineered' to only work with that limited maker / model computer - aka TIED TO THE HARDWARE SPECIFICALLY.

So even if your 'friend' gave you a HP Pavilion 17 Windows 7 Ultimate edition CD to 'borrow', it wouldn't work, because the contract for THAT HP ProBook 6470b Windows edition (even if it was a W7Ult edition too) isn't part of that 'image' creation so it would still deny it working on ANY other model computer.

Your BEST course of actions here
1) Verify in BIOS you can see the HDD and run http://www.hdtune.com/ to verify it is a functional HDD, to me sounds like possibly the HDD is going or the onboard I/O (since you had issues with the USB as well) MAYBE going to, BUT...
2) As I suggested buy a LEGAL copy of Windows and try installing it,
3) contact HP about BUYING a RESTORE DVD (cheaper then Windows copy) which will have all the stuff necessary to restore this laptop, ESPECIALLY the software REQUIRED to make all the buttons (turning ON WIFI for example or UP/DOWN Sound) work, because they are software controlled ONLY provided by HP.
 
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A BIOS tweak may be necessary. Use the Failproof defaults and if necesary the optimal defaults settings later. If that doesn't work, you may have to remove the Hard Drive and format it on another computer (or scan it with recovery software*) via USB adapter.

A BIOS USB setting may also be preventing the USB drive from being recognized so try these defaults and if necessary, check the HD controller settings (SATA, AHCI, IDE; AHCI preferred). and the USB enable, USB Legacy settings, etc

*You can scan it with a Partition Recovery program to detect partitions on the HD and know it's condition... or run a Low Level Format tool or a tool named Flobo Hard Disk Repair to refresh the HD surface.

Also try installing a Pro edition of Windows 7. That model notebook originaly had the Pro version of Windows 7, and the Ultimate edition may not be accepted.. You can download the Widows 7 Pro iso from digitalriver.com... links are provided here, and use the Notebook's original product key to "legitimize" and activate the installed Windows. Check the bottom of the notebook for the Product Key Code.
http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

BTW. The Ultimate edition may not be a HP Edition so that may be the issue, the digitalriver download may also need the HP software package to be activated. The HP software can be slipstreamed onto a bootable copy of the downloaded pro edition. The ultimate edition may also work once the HP software package is slipstreamed.
The only obstacle is finding the HP software download... but it has to be available somewhere.
You may want to ask here: http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-Systems-and-Software/bd-p/OS

Slipstreaming software
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/10-tools-for-creating-custom-windows-installation-discs-679477
 
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I like how you keep putting friend in quotation marks. If you're going to continue being rude to me, then please move on and stop helping me. I didn't come here to get judged by anyone.
 
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I actually have a genuine copy of Windows 7 Professional, albeit 32-bit. I tried putting that disc in and was met with the same "No drives found. Click Load Driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation" screen. Also, I did discover that my USB drive is indeed being read, but there aren't any recognizable drivers on it. So, whereabouts would I go to get said drivers in order to get pass this screen and install Win7 Pro seeing as Win7 Ultimate is a no-go?
 
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What exactly did you do to the hard drive from the command prompt? and where from did you access the command prompt?

If USB usage is enabled in the BIOS, which should be by default, and your USB ports are 2.0 it shouldn't need drivers... only 3.0 USB need drivers to install Widows from,... and the USB 2.0 or 3.0 difference is identifiable by color (dull color on 2.0 and vivid on 3.0 usually blue), so make sure you are using a USB 2.0 port.


EDIT:
Drivers & Software Downloads.
HP ProBook 6470b Notebook PC
http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/swd/public/readIndex?sp4ts.oid=5212860&swLangOid=8&swEnvOid=4061
 
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Check your BIOS and see what mode your SATA controllers is set to. If in AHCI or IDE mode, you should not need any additional drivers. RAID mode does require additional drivers.

You can also install via IDE mode (most compatible, but slowest) and change to AHCI after Windows is successfully installed. See here for how to do it:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

Using your friend's Win 7 Ultimate install media does not make your install legit if you don't have a legal Win 7 Ultimate product key. It is not the install media that makes anything legal, rather the license you have. If your laptop came with Win 7 Pro, you can continue to use Win 7 Pro (32 or 64 bit), but you can't use that product key to legally use the Ultimate version. This is what others were trying to tell you.
 
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Okay, I went into the BIOS and the SATA Device Mode is currently set to AHCI. As for the link you provided, I am unable to follow those steps on this machine because there is no OS. I removed everything during the Set-up process. So, what I am trying to ask is if there is a way I can go ahead an get my hard drive to show up in the list in order for me to install Win7 Pro.
 
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No dice. Gets to "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen with no hard drives listed and "No drives were found" error. Please advise. Also, I'm in it to win it, so expect fast responses from me.
 
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Yeah, same opinion here. If the Hard Drive is not showing up in the BIOS in either SATA device mode including IDE Mode, the Hard Drive may be damaged.. or the Partition table or Boot record may be corrupted... that's why I suggested you see if another computer can recognize it and to attempt to repair the HD partition, boot and platter surface codes.
 
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I have not, no. Neither has she.

The problem started yesterday afternoon when she was simply turning it on and it wouldn't boot. It would get to the Startup Repair prompt and when attempting to perform it, it would hang up. Starting Windows normally put it into a boot loop, but one thing to mention is that it would briefly flash a BSOD. However, it appeared so fast, it was impossible to see the error being displayed. I ran the Repair Tool overnight and when it completed, it mentioned that one error was causing the issue(System Volume corruption, I believe.) and it finally fully booted to her desktop. I had her back up anything she needed to my external hard drive and decided to reimage it. And now I'm here.
 
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I would, except that I do not own an enclosure for the HDD. Forgive me, but my hardware knowledge is somewhat lax.
 
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Do you have access to a desktop machine? If so, you could remove the HDD from the laptop and install it into the desktop like any other internal drive. If the drive is accessible via the desktop machine, then it isolates the problem to the laptop and its SATA controller or cable/connection.
 
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Okay slow up as we are all saying the same points I laid out above:

1) HARDWARE - if your that lax then take it to a professional. At this point if there is a problem with the I/O controller on the laptop means the Mobo is useless and the costs dont' meet it
2) The cost of a new HD ($129 + ) for a old system that can be replaced with a new UNDER WARRANTY laptop for only $249 (Walmart) for just 'general use' (Youtube, Facebook, writing letters, emails) isn't very cost effective as especially (1) could be the main problem which still makes it non cost effective
3) The licensing issue affects the Windows trying to 'load' at all or be read, that is the point, it isn't being accusatory as noted by the MOD it is more then just "oh I didnt' put in the right numbers so why you trying to criminalize me" point of view. There is many technical aspects.

Solution: (2) is the quickest, cheapest, most reliable solution to this.
 
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I'll try that now. Give me a moment to remove the laptop's HDD and put it into my desktop.
 
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