Windows fresh install AHCI driver problem

[zikamatej]

Hi,
I have a big problem. A week ago I got a HP Compaq 6730s from a friend. She wanted me to make a fresh install of W8.1. So I thought it would be easy for me as the family IT expert 😀
Now the problem is: when the setup asks me what partition I want to install it on to, I select the only one (150Gb). I make a quick format and then it tells me this: "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition." I read some threads on the internet where it tells to install the AHCI driver during install. I found the driver files, but the setup says it could not find any signed drivers on the selected drive.
Thanks for your solutions

 

[Darkbreeze]

Try the CLEAN install method. Disconnect any secondary drives and then use the following method. Delete ALL existing partitions on the drive and then install to the remaining unallocated space without creating any partitions or doing any formatting. Windows will do that automatically. Make sure AHCI is enabled in the BIOS prior to installing. Might even want to reset the BIOS to optimal defaults.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

 

[zikamatej]

Try the CLEAN install method. Disconnect any secondary drives and then use the following method. Delete ALL existing partitions on the drive and then install to the remaining unallocated space without creating any partitions or doing any formatting. Windows will do that automatically. Make sure AHCI is enabled in the BIOS prior to installing. Might even want to reset the BIOS to optimal defaults.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

I would really love if it was the solution. But thats what I have done soo many times I cant believe the HDD did not mess up already. I know what i am doing, the problem is the AHCI driver, believe me

 

[Darkbreeze]

I haven't seen any modern systems, meaning since the release of Windows 8, that didn't have native AHCI support and didn't require third party drivers for windows installation. Plus, Windows has it's own AHCI support as you know. I'd suspect an issue with the drive or storage controller. Possibly an issue with the header itself or the cable. Have you tried a different cable or switched headers?

What's the motherboard and drive models? Maybe it simply IS a matter of finding a signed driver. Seems pretty strange though. Did this system originally come with 8.1 or was it a Windows 7 machine? I'm guessing it has no restoration partition or are you trying to reinstall from the factory recovery partition?

 

[zikamatej]

I haven't seen any modern systems, meaning since the release of Windows 8, that didn't have native AHCI support and didn't require third party drivers for windows installation. Plus, Windows has it's own AHCI support as you know. I'd suspect an issue with the drive or storage controller. Possibly an issue with the header itself or the cable. Have you tried a different cable or switched headers?

What's the motherboard and drive models? Maybe it simply IS a matter of finding a signed driver. Seems pretty strange though. Did this system originally come with 8.1 or was it a Windows 7 machine? I'm guessing it has no restoration partition or are you trying to reinstall from the factory recovery partition?

Its a laptop, so it has its own MB. There is no cable for HDD, what you do is you "stick" it in 😀 It was a windows vista business 32bit before, and it had the prerequisites for W8

 

[Darkbreeze]

Yeah, laptops are a different ballgame altogether but it still should have native AHCI support unless it's pretty old. Being a Vista machine, that's likely. What's the exact model number of the unit as listed on the back or in the battery compartment.