Windows 7 won't recognize WD hdd

[jbrom]

I am trying to install windows 7 on my new hdd, but windows won't recognize it. Bios recognizes it, and I've gone into disk management and the drive is in fact formatted- it has a drive letter, is set for NTFS and has all of its space available. I'm going crazy, I'm not sure what to do next. I even re formatted it once for good measure.

 

[the_phantom_boy]

You are trying to install from DVD? or Bootable USB?

You don't need to have a formated HDD just to be able to install an OS on it...
It can be RAW as well...

 

[jbrom]

You are trying to install from DVD? or Bootable USB?

You don't need to have a formated HDD just to be able to install an OS on it...
It can be RAW as well...

I am booting from a cd. I've used it successfully within this month, so I am not ruling out cd corruption as the possibility- I just find it unlikely.

 

[the_phantom_boy]

CD/DVD corruption does not give you that problem...

What motherboard do you have installed?

 

[Shaun o]

Change your mode in the bios for the Sata ports from, Sata mode, or Raid mode

To AHCI mode for the drive you wish to install windows on. Depending on what Sata port it is connected to on the motherboard.


Save the new setting before you exit your bios.
When you get to the windows install and setup where it asks you what drive you wish to install windows to.
You will see the new HDD listed.

If the mode set for the Sata ports is set to Sata mode in your bios, and you wish not to change it.

Follow this guide to get the drive to show in windows setup and install for the target drive for windows 7 to install to from the DVD disk.

When installing windows.
On the page where you are asked where you want to install windows to.

Look to the bottom left hand side of the window for ADD DRIVER.

Click on add driver.

Insert the motherboard driver DVD.

Navigate the driver folders untill you find the SATA driver.
Click on it and select next.

After a few seconds the window will refresh and the new drive will show.

Put the windows setup disk back in the dvd drive.

Select your new disk for the install destination, and click next.
Follow the rest of the windows setup procedure.