Issues with Windows 7 install on SSD

I just purchased a SSD for the G73jh and want to do a fresh install of Windows 7 64. When going through the install Windows can't find the drive. I've changed my SATA settings to IDE, installed the Intel driver, and moved the drive over to the secondary slot and verified it was useable in windows when booting off the original drive. I'm at a loss as what to try next so any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

I had this same problem too with my G73JW. I was trying to install my SSD in the right slot (the bracket also indicates the right slot by the screw holes when mounting it) and the Windows Install screen could not find the drive. When I booted into windows with the original HDD, windows showed it was there in disk management and my computer.

It was odd and I went almost 2 days trying to figure it out. Did all the things that you did Valley2010.

What seemed to be the problem was that I was installing the SSD into the right slot. Instead I installed the SSD in the left slot (also using the mounting bracket with the left screw holes so it would mount and only install on the left slot) and bam, windows install would recognize it only in the left slot. Even with the original HDD installed or without the HDD installed in the right slot, Windows Install only recognized it in the left slot.

Are you installing in the right slot? If so, you might be experiencing the same problem that I went through.

Leave the settings on SATA and install the SSD in the left slot and report back. You shouldn't need any drivers to install.

 

Still no go. I moved the SSD over to the left side and had nothing in the right. I might try to leave the original drive in and see if the windows installer can see it. Great suggestion though!

I'm confused about your mounting bracket info as I'm not using one. I'm currently using a piece of cardboard to keep it in place until the bracket arrives. It was recognized in both the bios and as the secondary in windows like this.

 

Which SSD is it? If your bios see it windows should too. I recently installed a GSkill Phoenix Pro that my bios wouldn't see. I had to RMA the drive, but I could have tried updating the firmware (which was released after I RMA'd) and I could have tried reseting the bios. Check if there is a firmware update and reset your bios. See if that helps.

 

The metal bracket that is holding the HDD in place. Mine has 2 because I originally had 2x500gb HDDs. I swapped one HDD with a Vertex 2 120gb SSD and used the metal bracket to mount the SSD.

 

Wow, what a pain but finally fixed! Issue was with the MBR. I never would of thought to look there but decided to do some digging with Ultimate boot cd and noticed I had quite a few partition tables on the drive. No clue why but wiped them fixed the MBR and now Windows is installing successfully. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

Grats. Enjoy the speed!