X220 - crash after Win7 fresh install on new SSD

Hello,

I replaced the HDD that came with my X220 with a OCZ Vertex 3 SSD (which , btw fits in very nicely).

Tried to install both in UEFI mode and Legacy mode and I get the same result: after the installation copies files and reboots the laptop, I get a blue screen of death crash at the end of the bootup sequence, just as Windows is getting ready to come up.

An interesting thing (maybe clue?) is that the drive does not appear immediately in the drive list, but only after doing a Refresh. Works just fine after that.

Any ideas what to do?

Thanks!

 

OCZ Vertex III drives can crash without doing some tweaks with the OS from what I read. Have a read of this article to see if it helps, if you can try Safe Mode (F8) so you can access the desktop using the basic drivers.

 

I am using an identical Vertex 3 on my desktop. Zero issues.

Safe mode crashes the same...

 

On the safe side leave the BIOS in Both modes and ensure AHCI mode is on. When you install the OS have you loaded the Intel RST drivers first or are just using the MS AHCI driver?

 

BIOS is in Both mode and AHCI on.

I did not load any additional driver, just whatever is included in the Win7 kit (MS I guess).

 

Try installing the OS but with the Intel RST drivers first to see if it makes a difference.

Download these drivers (64 bit drivers), extract and store them on a USB pen drive. On the partition setup window during the installation there should be a link called "Load Driver". Click on that and direct it to where the RST drivers are and then install the OS after.

 

Worked with the Intel drivers! Yes! THANK YOU!!!

Now let me try to do that again, but with 8GB of memory and in UEFI mode, as I originally intended...

About that driver: it's the Rapid Storage from Intel, right? How do I find it, how can I search for it in the future? Or maybe Lenovo also offers a version for it? Do I need to install this in the OS as well? I am slightly confused by the producer/lenovo drivers issue. Not sure which one to use.

Thanks!

 

Glad to hear your progress! Yes Intel make the Rapid Storage AHCI Drivers, Lenovo also have these drivers on their support page but they're same thing in my experience. Make sure you have SP1 on your Windows 7 install first to avoid BSOD issues with the Intel Graphics driver under UEFI mode. Other than that its pretty much straight forward, don't forget to apply the tweaks to make the OCZ SSD more stable.

 

UEFI install Successful!

I did have a "windows is unable to install to the selected location" 0x80300001 error solved by creating the partitions and installing in 2 separate steps, with a reboot in between.

Installing drivers now...