Replaced laptop HDD with SSD. Nothing but problems.

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kalixin

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Jan 16, 2013
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Laptop: Toshiba Satellite A505-s6040
Purchased: late 2010 with win 7 home premium 64 bit
HDD: Hitachi 7200RPM

I bought this laptop and the hard drive died three times in one year. I built my own computer so I wouldn't use the laptop as much. Despite my lack of using it, the HDD is starting to give again. Solution? I bought an SSD.

SSD: Intel 330, 180GB
OS disc: Color research. Windows 7, home premium 64 bit

So basically. I installed the SSD. went in like a charm. I believe my laptop has SATA II connectors. I turn it on, put the disc in, and I get the error:

Realtek PCI Express fast ethernet controller series v1.15 (090224)
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE:MOF:exiting PXE ROM
No bootable device - insert boot disk and press any key.

I have changed boot order to prioritize disc. I had tried to prioritze SSD.
I have changed the compatibility modes to every setting.
I have tinkered with boot order in every way possible.
I have disabled and enabled my LAN setting in the BIOS

My HDD still works as an external. It is in an enclosure. I tried booting off of it via USB and i blue screened after the windows logo. When I put it back in the laptop fully, it works just fine.

I have narrowed it down to:
Motherboard wont accept SSD
Disc is bad, or the OS was improperly installed.
SSD is bad
CD or SSD brand are incompatible with my laptop for whatever reason.

I work with computers a lot - building, fixing and speeding up old ones, replacing parts, etc... but I am so stumped right now.

Help please... Anybody?
 
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kalixin

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Jan 16, 2013
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Yes, the SSD shows up in the BIOS just fine.
As I have said, I have tried both AHCI mode and compatibility mode. No luck with either.



And the laptop hardly moved in the first year. Hitachi isnt exactly known for an amazing track record when it comes to HDDs. That and it was a gaming based laptop that was on a lot. When the HDD got replaced, it was repalced with a refurbished one. I hate refurbished products.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Nov 23, 2004
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When you cloned the drive did you also bring along the system reserved partition? If not, you may be able to use EasyBCD to install a boot loader on the SSDs single partition and make it active all in one shot.

If you do this, you boot from the normal working windows then use easy bcd to add a boot loader to the SSD, then you can edit it with File -> select BCD source.

You will NEED hidden and system files set to show to do this. If you get that all setup, You can try to swap the drive back and cross your fingers.
 
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kalixin

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Jan 16, 2013
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I did not clone the drive. The intel SSD is 100% blank. I was doing a clean install of windows on it. I took out my windows 7 HDD from my laptop. I put the 100% blank SSD in the laptop with the windows 7 disc.

I really dont want to clone the hitachi HDD with all of the junk on it.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Ok, I thought the SSD was not booting.

So the DVD drive is not working?

Maybe its time to make a bootable USB stick with windows. Its easy and fast.

Works with Linux and Windows. Be warned it WILL(or can to do it right) erase the stick.
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/

You can get a Win7 ISO image from here
http://www.w7forums.com/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads-t12325.html
 
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kalixin

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You know, I did have an issue with the drive a few months back. I swore I fixed it. I hear it revving up when i put the disc in, and other discs have worked with it recently.

I was thinking about trying a flash drive. I have a brand new USB 3.0, patriot 32gb flash drive.

my laptop only has 2.0 I can boot an OS off of 3.0 right? I know it is all backwards and forwards compatible, but there are the freak issues where 3.0 and 2.0 bug out. If I must, I have an old 2.0 i can use. I will just move all programs to my 3.0 so I can have a clean 2.0.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Yes, I use a USB 3 drive for windows installs over USB 2 and it works fine.

If you plan to do this more in the future(other systems and stuff). Keep an eye out for a cheap USB 3 or 2 drive that is only 8 gigabytes then you can keep windows or whatever os you want on it.

Just remember to tell the computer to boot from USB.

Some systems have an option for a "boot menu" if you do, you can try it first. It will allow you to select the dvd drive(or what ever you want).

The key to use it varies from system to system, but it may list it while posting. Something like F10 to enter setup esc for boot menu

I am almost sure I still have a 60 gigabyte Hitachi notebook drive that lives on :) and it is OLD....
 
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kalixin

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Yeah i got a stick i can use solely for win 7 iso.

Ok its 100% cleaned out.

I am downloading the x64, for win 7 home premium

I will prioritize USB for my boot menu in the BIOS of my laptop. I know it is there because I have screwed with that thing so much in the last week.

So I save the file (into mozilla downloader)
after that I open it or save it to flash drive.

I have tried to do an ISO before and it didn't go too well. Im not experienced with burning ISOs to flash drives

So can i have a quick run down of what to do once the download finishes from mozilla?
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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The universal usb installer will walk you though it all :)


Run the program
Agree to the terms
Scroll down to Non Linux and select Windows 7 installer then point it to the iso you have downloaded.
Select We will Format driveletter : \ drive as fat 32 (make SURE its the flash drive)
Hit create and wait for it to do its thing.

Be ready with the COA (cd key as many call it) from your computer as you will need it while installing. With no spinning drive, flipping the system(to read the COA number) while installing will have no chance to harm anything :)

Once the install is done. get all your drivers and virus scanner on asap. The virus scanner should be installed as soon as you hit the net(or even have access to it).
 
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kalixin

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I opened the containing folder and copied it onto my flash drive

Was that the right way to do it? Or am i missing a step.

EDIT: i figured out what you were saying. I downloaded universal USB installer. I cant use it yet due to being at school and having no administrative rights. i will try it what I get home.

I will follow your instructions to the T then.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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You want to use the program linked above with the iso as it will make the drive bootable and deal with the iso for you.

You want to use this and feed it the iso.

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/

usbinstall.png
 
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kalixin

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I edited my last post. I will give it a whirl at home and post results later today. I gotta do my taxes today as well :p

I have both the ISO and the universal usb installer on my flash drive.

All i need to do: move the files to desktop, and move the bootable ISO I get from the usb installer to the flash drive when its all said and done correct?
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Move the universal install and iso to the desktop, then run the universal install and point it at the iso. The flash drive will be erased and prepared. The program will extract the ISO to the flash drive and make it ready to boot.

The drive will have files that look like this.
usbinstallondrive.png


Now back to school work with you :p
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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K, hope it gets you fixed up.

Also, If you do not use hibernate on the computer, remove it and its file to save ssd space. Reducing(not turning off) the page file may recover some space as well. All other things should be taken care of by Windows. It will detect the SSD and should not want to defragment it. If you have an option for AHCI in the bios remember to switch it ON before installing.
 
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kalixin

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It worked!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!
My laptop feels liek a laptop again! its FASTEr than day one when i bought it. NO BLOATWARE!!!!!! SSD speed and performance on a sata 2 is still unrivaled to my 7200 rpm HDD.

I ACCIDENTALLY installed windows twice because it booted off the usb over and over. I figured out what i did wrong. deleted windows.old and everything works perfectly!!!!!

now to install A-virus and drivers.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Nov 23, 2004
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I am using an ssd(M4 128 so its SATA III as well) on sata II as well in my media center. It destroys the hard drive it replaced too :)

Glad you got it going. And now you have a Windows 7 USB stick for future use.

Some users have reported that the nand flash on a usb stick and even ssd may need to powered every now and then to keep it all happy(data retention over time), so maybe plug in in every few months or so. I have never had issues even with year old flash drives, but better safe then sorry if you need it in a hurry.
 
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