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    New Samsung 840 Pro - Dead on Arrival?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013.

  1. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    Hi,

    I'm trying to install a new Samsung 840 Pro on my Dell Latitude e6540, but keep getting the error "PXE-E61 Media test failure, check cable". I've reseated and removed all other items from boot list, but no success. Running Dell's own diagnostic check gives a HDD not found error.

    Does this sound like a dud? Please advise!

    Paul
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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  2. fatboyslimerr

    fatboyslimerr Alienware M15x Fanatic

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    Did you format it? What are you trying to boot from? Does the SSD have OS on it?
    Enter BIOS to check its detected there.
     
    fatboyslimerr, Jul 23, 2013
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  3. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    I've just put some cushioning in the tray so the connection is firmer, and the now seems to be listed in the BIOS, but powering up gives the message "boot device not found", and Windows 7 installation is not detecting the unformatted drive.

    I assumed Windows setup would detect the unformatted drive?
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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  4. idiot101

    idiot101 Down and Broken

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    Have you disabled Secure Boot and enabled CSM in the BIOS? Unless this is done, Windows 7 won't boot.
     
    idiot101, Jul 23, 2013
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  5. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    Secure boot is disabled and legacy ROMs enabled
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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  6. idiot101

    idiot101 Down and Broken

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    Do you get the same issue when you put this in another laptop? If you do, then the drive might be a dud.

    If detected on another laptop, format it and try it again in the 6540.

    Check if the SATA controller is set to AHCI.
     
    idiot101, Jul 23, 2013
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  7. fatboyslimerr

    fatboyslimerr Alienware M15x Fanatic

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    Are you able to boot on another drive?

    If so boot windows, go to control panel > administrative tools > computer management > storage > disk management where the drive should be displayed.
    Format it then activate it by right clicking anywhere on the partition display. Also ensure you assign it a drive letter. It may not appear in my computer if it is not assigned a drive letter!
     
    fatboyslimerr, Jul 23, 2013
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  8. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    Progress. The drive seemed to slide into place too easily, so placed some folded card at the side of the tray for a firmer fit. Drive is detected in BIOS!

    New problem now sadly, Windows 7 installation is giving the error "Select driver to be installed". Whether this is an issue with the OS being placed onto an SD card I do no know. I'd just bought some DVDs in the hope of burning the OS to disc, only to discover Dell only gives you once chance at this. F*ck!
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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  9. idiot101

    idiot101 Down and Broken

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    idiot101, Jul 23, 2013
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  10. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    Don't have any duel layer DVD-Rs unfortunately.
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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  11. idiot101

    idiot101 Down and Broken

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    Don't need them. If you have a 4GB USB drive, use this tool
    Microsoft Store

    You only need the ISO.
     
    idiot101, Jul 23, 2013
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  12. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    I've managed to progress by locating the SD-card reader drivers and loading them up from a burnt disc.

    I've created a new Disk 0 Partition 1, but can't proceed as I get "Setup was unable to create a new system partition".

    It's just one issue after another!
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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  13. idiot101

    idiot101 Down and Broken

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    Can you try again with a custom install. Please restart the process and see if the problem reoccurs. You will need to delete all existing partitions first. Are you sure there is no cage available to hold the 7mm drive in place in your Latitude?

    I would also recommend that you install the OS in another laptop if you keep running into more issues. You might have better luck.

    I would also recommend that you try the traditional way of downloading the ISO and copying it on to a USB drive/ DVD using the tool I have linked to. A well established process is much easier to troubleshoot if it can be done.
     
    idiot101, Jul 23, 2013
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  14. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for your patience guys.

    Will try the ISO to the SD card using the tools you've linked too.

    This is seriously frustrating. Just want the chance to enjoy my new laptop!
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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  15. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    Another development!

    Remembered I have a Dell Vista Ultimate DVD in storage. It succeeded in getting past that disk page and commencing installation. I've going to let it run through to confirm the SSD is ok.
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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  16. idiot101

    idiot101 Down and Broken

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    Keep us posted. Please avoid the SD card and try a USB drive. You said you had a few empty DVDs right? Even if they are DVD+R, they will work with the Windows 7 ISO.
     
    idiot101, Jul 23, 2013
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  17. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    The ISO is bigger than the DVD-Rs I have. Think I need duel layer.
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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  18. idiot101

    idiot101 Down and Broken

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    No they aren't. DVDs are 4.7GB in size while the Windows 7 ISO is around 3.2GB for the 64bit version. I have the images of all the Windows 7 ISOs and none of them are bigger than ~3.2Gb. Please don't confuse the raw ISO with the recovery DVDs you have burnt. They will also contain all of Dell's addons.
     
    idiot101, Jul 23, 2013
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  19. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It shouldn't request drivers if you're in AHCI mode. I've had this issue before, I changed the BIOS from RAID to AHCI and it went away. However, you are using Vista, so, it could be OS related.
     
    J.Dre, Jul 23, 2013
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  20. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    Ahh yes, you're right. 3.1gb from that link. Downloading now.

    Should that work despite not being an OEM version?
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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  21. idiot101

    idiot101 Down and Broken

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    You should download the same version of 7 as the one your laptop came with. The OEM license will be accepted. If you have an issue, try using the Telephone activation method on a landline only. It is toll free.
     
    idiot101, Jul 23, 2013
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  22. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    I bought Windows 7 Professional 64-bit with my Latitude.

    I'm downloading "Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 U (media refresh)" from that link.
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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  23. idiot101

    idiot101 Down and Broken

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    idiot101, Jul 23, 2013
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  24. Turnbull2000

    Turnbull2000 Notebook Consultant

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    It worked! Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

    Just need a proper drive tray now, as the SSD is being held in place by some foam cuts.
     
    Turnbull2000, Jul 23, 2013
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