Laptop hd problem (maybe)

[Bill Ford]

On startup,it gave a disc error, don't remember the #, took the HD out, reformated, (thinking virus) it has 3 partitions showing empty, when I try to install Win7, it asks for drivers, drivers not to be found. Would not let me choose "C", would not install in drive that I could choose, I have the 7 disc thinking the drivers are on it.

Tried a different HD 500gb, would not recognize it, then partitioned to 250,thinking it was too large still not seeing it.It sees the original HD 350gb, could it be a motherboard problem or is it a HD problem? The 500 now thinks it's a 250.

I did an HD upgrade on another older laptop that I wanted to upgrade to SSD no probs,

Thanks, sorry for the longwinded..Bill

[Bill Ford]

Forgot to mention, C partition was empty when I put it in a dock to reformat, also no OS on HD.

[Jack Stoner]

It may be the partitioned disc.
When You install Windows, one option is to format the hard drive. It will create two partitions.

I've seen the "need" for CD/DVD drivers. Some say to just ignore it. Others say to use a USB to install. Others think its a BIOS setting causing the problem.

Here is the Windows 7 instructions. Look them over to see if something was missed.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/16 ... s-7-a.html

[Bill Ford]

After you choose repair, or custom install, nothing shows in the "where do you want to install" panel before, or after the partition...the original HD shows there with 3 partitions but will not let me choose "C", and will not install in the choices it gives. That's where I get the driver popup. I have a clean/new 32gb flash drive, Will it install there if I disconnect the internal HD?

Thanks..Bill

[Bill Ford]

301 error HD failure....From all info I read, it's HD failure. Finally got it to start Win 7 install, all went well til first restart, then went to black screen with 301 error...oh well.

[Bill Ford]

New HD...all is well..BF