Unable to install SSD into G73JH

***SUCCESS***

Hello All,

I have read all of the pertinent threads and use the search function to exhaustion searching every combination of crazy term I could think of. My problem is that I'm having trouble getting the Windows 7 install to recognize my OCZ Agility 2 120gb SSD. Here is my journey thus far:

1) Initially, I used the Asus backup recovery tool when the computer booted up to create the 4 recovery DVDs. I pulled out the original hard drive, put in the SSD, and started the recovery process. It completed successfully. I did all this before I realized that apparantly, the Asus recovery discs can not be used with a drive that is a different size than the original. So this was failure #1.

2) I downloaded the Windows 7 .iso from the link provided in these forums and thought this would be no problem. I didn't do this from the start because well, I didn't think to and I was okay just using the Asus recovery (had it worked). The Windows 7 install starts, but when it gets to the step where I'm supposed to select the install location, it can not find anything. It simply says, "NO DRIVES WERE FOUND." And then gives an option to install a driver.

This is what I have tried thus far to fix the problem and get the drive to recognize:

A) POST 23 in this thread said I should mount the drive in Windows and format it NTSF, that it should then be recognized in the Windows 7 install. I installed it in the second drive bay and formatted it in Drive Manager. Rebooted and tried the install on the SSD again, it still did not recognize.

B) POST 18 in that same thread mentioned the possible need for the Intel Matrix Storage Manager, or the hard drive controller drivers. I went to the Intel website and downloaded and installed the Intel Matrix Storage Manager on another laptop. Then, I copied the whole install folder to a usb stick. I tried the Windows 7 install again and when it got to the step were it couldn't see the SSD drive, I selected to install a driver. I pointed to the USB stick and went to the x64 folder and it found the driver and seemed to install it. Went back to the step where it is supposed to find the drive and NO GO. Fail.

C) Per the last post in this thread I tried using the OCZ program Sanitary Erase on the drive. It finds the drive and I can execute the command to run, but it eventually comes back with "Error = 04". I have tried searching about this error but can't find much.

D) I tried using the tool HDDErase, "A powerful tool to recover your Sandforce SSD's speed. It will completely recover your SSD and fully recover your drive's performance". I installed the program on a bootable usb disc and followed the instructions, but when it gets to the point where I'm supposed to select my drive, it can not find it.

E) The last thing that I'm now in the process of trying is Secure Erase from within Linux. I'm following these instructions on the OCZ forum. I have no idea if this will work and don't have much hope.

If C doesn't work, what the heck do I do? I know people are using SSD's in their G73JH's so what gives? I have clearly tried a lot of different solutions and nothing is working. Its important to note that the drive does work just fine. It mounts in Windows and I can see it and mess with it.

Please halp!


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USING SECURE ERASE in Linux worked. Jesus man this has taken me literally all day and I wish it had been easier. I recommend adding a couple of lines about SSD installs in one of the big G73JH threads. It really is important to know that you can not Restore easily with the ASUS restore utility.

 

Hello - we are having the same problem my friend - just with different laptops
I have a HP DM3-1130US and bought an OCZ Vertex II 90gb and tried to install it into my laptop
1) first i just pulled my old HDD out and put the SSD in and used my recovery disc (3 of them) to install windows 7 onto the SSD - the installation completed and then it restarts - after restarting i get a black screen stating there is no bootable device - i pull the SSD out and plug in into my desktop with a usb sata kit and my desktop showed that the windows 7 files installed onto my SSD but the DM3 won't recognize the SSD
2) i also formatted the SSD to NFTS and tried to redo the installation in which it did not work again
3) i also tried HDD erase on the SSD and tried to reinstall it again with no luck as well
4) i havent tried secure erase - my only worry is that some people said they had to reinstall the firmware onto the SSD - did you have to do that? and to use secure erase i assumed you just installed ubuntu onto the SSD then use secure erase?

I haven't tried a windows 7 install with a different product key
after installing ubuntu did your laptop recognize the SSD
also did you ever get windows 7 to work on the SSD and have the laptop recognize it

essentially was the problem just because you were using the asus recovery disc and utility?

thanks for the feedback because i have been fighting this problem for quite some time

 

ive also tried posting threads on ocz forums without much luck and have done plunty of research on those forums

 

Glad you got it to work. I think the Asus recovery disks are all but worthless. My guess is that the Recovery disks altered the SSD somehow making it so windows 7 couldn't install right. Then the secure erase fixed whatever altering the recovery disks had done. I've installed Windows 7 on the G73 using both an OCZ Vertex 1 and my current gSkill Phoenix Pro, the windows 7 disk I burned had no trouble recognizing either of them.

To the 2nd poster... Sounds like you may be having the same issue. Try a secure erase and then use a windows 7 disk, not a recovery disk. The recovery disk is meant to be used on the laptops original HDD which you are no longer using. You can still use your current product key because you still legally own that copy of windows 7. If you don't have a windows 7 disk you can burn your own with the instruction in the forums.

 

The RecoveryAI application = free, but buggy and limited

I cannot stress enough of either using Windows 7 Backup, or investing in 3rd party software like Acronis True Image Home

 

I agree with Chastity. I have installed SSDs twice on G73JH and each time I do a clean install. Never have a problem. An image software is quicker but your SSD data might not be aligned correctly. Not a big deal but if you are as anal as I am, a clean install is the best.

 

I had the exact same issue with my DM3T and Vertex 2 240GB SSD. I ended having to do a clean install (not with the restore DVD's) and it worked fine.