"We couldn't find any drives" error when installing Windows 8.1

[Jawz_cod]

I've been working on fixing this all day, and I'm not even exaggerating. I've spent about 12 hours total trying to get this to work, with no success. I'm trying to install Windows 8.1 Pro to my new build that has no operating system already with a USB. It works fine, and let's me enter my key, but after that it says "We couldn't find any drives. To get a storage driver, click Load driver." Then it says "No signed device drivers were found. Make sure that the installation media contains the correct drivers, and them click OK.". I have no idea what to do.

My specs:
CPU: Intel i7 6700k
MB: Asus Z170 Pro Gaming

Please help so I can finally use my new build, thanks!

 

[SchizTech]

What are your full specs (inc SSD/HDD)? Have you tried different SATA ports (if a SATA drive)? Try the SATA driver on this page on another flash drive

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z170-PRO-GAMING/HelpDesk_Download/

 

[Jawz_cod]

What are your full specs (inc SSD/HDD)? Have you tried different SATA ports (if a SATA drive)? Try the SATA driver on this page on another flash drive

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z170-PRO-GAMING/HelpDesk_Download/

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($504.54 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($93.19 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($136.30 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($117.11 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter
Other: Windows 10 Home ($35.00)
Other: Rosewill RTK-002 Anti-Static Wrist Strap ($5.99)
Other: Tripplite Surge Protector ($15.99)
Total: $1418.08
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-13 20:31 EDT-0400

I'll try what you suggested tomorrow, I have to sleep. Thanks for the help though.

 

[xStampede]

You need to create a partition on your boot drive, the disk space is probably unpartitioned which means it is unnalocated and unavailable for use, during windows installation you can "format" or "create new" partition from unallocated space. It should work afterwards.

Check if your BIOS detects the hard drives, if it doesn't detect them than there might be another problem.

 

[Jawz_cod]

You need to create a partition on your boot drive, the disk space is probably unpartitioned which means it is unnalocated and unavailable for use, during windows installation you can "format" or "create new" partition from unallocated space. It should work afterwards.

Check if your BIOS detects the hard drives, if it doesn't detect them than there might be another problem.

Yeah, my BIOS doesn't detect them. I didn't even think about them being physically installed wrong or whatever the problem is. I've tried changing SATA power cables and the cable to my motherboards, but it doesn't change anything. I've also tried only using my SSD but it doesn't work. Any ideas know what else to try? Thanks for responding.

 

[SchizTech]

One more thing to try is resetting the BIOS. With the power unplugged, pop off the little round battery and wait a minute or two. After this you'll have to reset the time and date. If this doesn't work there's a hardware issue. Check that the hard drive is getting power (this is easy: when it's running it should vibrate slightly due to the spinning disks).

If you feel the HDD vibrate and it's not seen in any SATA port, then there might be a problem with the board. Since it's new you should be able to get it replaced.

 

[Jawz_cod]

One more thing to try is resetting the BIOS. With the power unplugged, pop off the little round battery and wait a minute or two. After this you'll have to reset the time and date. If this doesn't work there's a hardware issue. Check that the hard drive is getting power (this is easy: when it's running it should vibrate slightly due to the spinning disks).

If you feel the HDD vibrate and it's not seen in any SATA port, then there might be a problem with the board. Since it's new you should be able to get it replaced.

I talked with Asus and they said to send it back for RMA. They told me to do that, but changed their mind because they didn't want me to risk damaging it. The HDD is NOT vibrating actually. Is that a PSU problem or something then? I hope so, I haven't sent it back yet and don't want to disassemble my whole build obviously. Thanks for all of your help!

Edit: It might be spinning. I kind of feel a super small vibration about every 10 seconds. Not sure if that's what it's supposed to feel like or not.

Edit 2: I might be imagining it, it vibrates about as much as touching the top of the case, which is extremely little.

 

[SchizTech]

Hmm, a properly spinning HDD should vibrate continuously. Is there another system you can test those drives in?

 

[Jawz_cod]

Hmm, a properly spinning HDD should vibrate continuously. Is there another system you can test those drives in?

No, I don't have another system that I could test them with sadly. But my SSD also doesn't show up in the BIOS. Maybe they aren't getting enough power and that's why I only feel it every 10 seconds or whatever? But I don't know, it's probably just my motherboard sadly. I will send in back in a couple of days.

 

[SchizTech]

Motherboard issue is a strong possibility here, I'm afraid. Good luck with the return.