Envy 14 + SSD + Window 7 Installation = Stuck @12%

Hello,
I've upgrade my HDD to SSD OCZ Vertex 2 120gb today, I ordered a set of windows 7 recovery dvd, I installed the SSD into the laptop normally and stuff.

I did everything normally, when the installation reached 12% on step3 "Restoring files to the hard drive." it just died, i kept watching the HHD light and it stopped perm. I left it for 3 hours and nothing changed. I redo the process all over again and it got stuck at the same point again.

So, do I have to do something with SSD like frameware or something? I wanted to check about that before I do something to the SSD.

 

I don't think you should need to do anything special. I did a clean install on my 256gb SSD and I just poped in the win 7 cd and let it format and install. By win 7 recovery dvd do you mean the ones you get from HP or the actual recovery disc thats from windows?

 

recovery media DvD x2, the one you order from HP

EDIT: I don't want to do the process for a 3rd time, I hope it doesn't harm my drive, does it?

 

I am not sure about why its freezing, maybe the recovery disks have to be installed on same size drive.

I just downloaded a legal windows 7 iso from this thread, backed up the activation activation with the tool available on the thread I mentioned and installed on the blank ssd.

oh and check online if there is a firmware update for your model but it should not be necessary to install windows out of the box.

 

How do I check the version of the firmware of my SSD? it's pretty much blank, and if there is an update can I flash it even if there is no OS?

EDIT: Does it harm the drive if i tried to reinstall windows for a 3rd time?

 

yea as far as I know, you make a bootable cd and put the ssd in to flash it.

P.S. the envy gave error when I tried to flash the ssd saying it needs IDE mode which the BIOS did not have, but I installed the drive in my old vaio laptop and attempted to flash, it worked but turns out it was the latest firmware so all the work for nothing. I do not think you need to flash the firmware especially if you just bought the ssd.

 

Hmm, it seems as you said, I need the recovery image installed in the HDD, and DvDs they sent me just for recovery, so I guess I need to go and buy a blank dvds :/

 

Found this:
(from How to format SSD and reinstall win7 - general-discussion - windows-7)


When you boot your system from the Windows Install disk, you'll see the following:

- "Press any Key to boot from CD or DVD" (you need to press a key when you see this)

- "Windows is loading files"

- "Starting Windows" (with the animated Windows logo)

- A dialog box that lets you choose the install language and keyboard

- A dialog box that contains an "Install Now" button

- A dialog box with the license terms

- A dialog box that asks "Which type of Installation do you want?" --> CLICK "CUSTOM (Advanced)" HERE

- The next dialog box contains a "Drive Options (Advanced)" link --> CLICK THIS LINK

After clicking the "Drive Options (Advanced)" link options will appear that let you delete, format, or create new partitions. Delete each of the partitions listed in the upper portion of the dialog box by clicking on the partition to select it and then clicking "Delete".

Once you've deleted all the partitions the entire disk will show as "Unallocated Space". Click on this to select it and then click on the "Next" button to have Windows install into a partition that spans the entire drive.

NOTE - Windows will actually create two partitions - a 100MB "recovery" partition that it boots from and the main partition which will use up the rest of the drive. You normally want to install Windows with NO OTHER DRIVES CONNECTED so that the bootable recovery partition is on the same drive as Windows itself.

 

Thank for that post, I will follow that, but now I need to download the fresh copy of windows and install it on a USB, do you have any idea about an application or guide to copy the iso into the usb and use it for installation ?

 

no problem,

And yea, there is an official tool from microsoft but I am now finding out they pulled it off their website (?) but cnet still has it:

Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com


This thread for downloading the ISO.

 

Thank you very much, kind sir

I'm downloading the iso as we speak and trying to find a usb somewhere ;p

 

Ahaha good luck. I never find usb drives lol

 

Ok, I found a use amazingly o.o

So, for the key I just use the one under the laptop then i'm good to go ? I hope I don't go through the process of extracting the key from the laptop and stuff.

And, I will follow the steps you posted about the SSD installation.

EDIT: I'm at the partitions, it shows 4 parts from Disk 0, I assume that the SSD in whole, cause I'm using the USB method. so Should I delete everything from Disk 0 right ?

 

Thank you very much, everything is up

 

ah sorry get off the laptop yesterday but glad everything worked!

 

Ironman you can put your envy into IDE mode. During bootup press "f10" and "A" together. I just spam the keyboard hoping it works. That should bring up advanced settings in the bios where you can switch to IDE mode.

 

oh thank you. looked everywhere in the regular BIOS, this explains it now