Difficulty Installing Windows 7 on SSD "Windows Cannot Be Installed to this Disk"

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prodigalsource

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Jun 21, 2016
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This looks like a typical problem, but I've done quite a bit of searching, and need community help.
I need to install Windows 7 Ultimate with an MBR partition table, but the within the install process when I attempt to create the installation on my MBR SSD, I am served "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk."
My motherboard is a GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ and the SSD in question is a PNY CS1200 240GB.
From my limited understanding, I need to boot the Windows installation disk in non UEFI mode, so I've set my SATA ports to IDE and set my boot options to legacy where I can find them.
I realize that it is more typical to install Windows to a GPT drive, but I've read that it *should* be possible to create an installation on a MBR. Any help anyone could furnish would be very welcome. Thank you!
 
Solution
C
I recommend using AHCI (Default) BIOS setting for SATA drives.

Download the "AMD SATA AHCI Driver (Preinstall driver, press F6 during Windows* setup to read from floppy)" from the motherboard download page.
Make a new folder on a USB 2.0 flash drive.
Click on the file you have downloaded. Extract it to the new folder on USB 2.0 flash drive. Note the Folder called "AHCI_w7".

BOOT UP the Windows 7 install disk. Don't use the UEFI selection option if you want MBR partition.
Note: BIOS option
Storage Boot Option Control
Allows you to select whether to enable the UEFI or legacy option ROM for the storage device controller.
Disabled: Disables option ROM.
Legacy Only: Enables legacy option ROM only. (Default)
UEFI Only: Enables UEFI option...
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Calvin7

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Feb 19, 2013
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I recommend using AHCI (Default) BIOS setting for SATA drives.

Download the "AMD SATA AHCI Driver (Preinstall driver, press F6 during Windows* setup to read from floppy)" from the motherboard download page.
Make a new folder on a USB 2.0 flash drive.
Click on the file you have downloaded. Extract it to the new folder on USB 2.0 flash drive. Note the Folder called "AHCI_w7".

BOOT UP the Windows 7 install disk. Don't use the UEFI selection option if you want MBR partition.
Note: BIOS option
Storage Boot Option Control
Allows you to select whether to enable the UEFI or legacy option ROM for the storage device controller.
Disabled: Disables option ROM.
Legacy Only: Enables legacy option ROM only. (Default)
UEFI Only: Enables UEFI option ROM only.
Legacy First: Enables legacy option ROM first.
UEFI First: Enables UEFI option ROM first.
This item is configurable only when CSM Support is set to Always

Choose: Delete ALL partitions on the SSD.

Now Choose: Add driver to installation. Direct the installer to the USB 2.0 drive folder "AHCI_w7". Confirm and continue installation.

 
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Solution
cin19

cin19

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Mar 14, 2011
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From my limited understanding, I need to boot the Windows installation disk in non UEFI mode, so I've set my SATA ports to IDE and set my boot options to legacy where I can find them.
Click to expand...
Why use the SSD in the IDE mode, and non UEFI mode?
Why not use UEFI BIOS, and set the storage mode in ahci, make sure the SSD in in the 1st SATAIII port.
 
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prodigalsource

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Jun 21, 2016
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Just to be clear (I'm leaving to purchase a USB drive right now) a flash drive that is USB 2.0/3.0 compatible is acceptable as long as I am connecting it to a USB 2.0 Port, right?
 
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prodigalsource

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Jun 21, 2016
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I did as the first poster suggested: my "On-Board SATA Type" is set to AHCI, which auto populated "On-Board SATA Port4/5" field to "As SATA Type"
The drive I'm trying to install on is currently in my SATA 3rd Port; I will attempt again after moving it to SATA 0 port next. Additionally, Storage Boot Option is set to Legacy only, but should OS type be on "Windows 8" as it is now? (The only way to access CSM Support: currently set to Always).
The installation media is running in non UEFI, and I have put the correct motherboard SATA AHCI drivers on my flash drive, but after install them, I get "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the setup log files for more information." Previous to this thread post, I ran disk part and ran "format MBR" but I have since cleared the disk. I'm in over my head.
 
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prodigalsource

Commendable
Jun 21, 2016
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1,510
I am mid-install, so I may not be out of the fire yet, but I used F12 Boot Loader to select my legacy DVD-ROM instead of relying on my BIOS boot order (set to Legacy Only for the DVD drive and in the #1 spot) to do it correctly, and it is installing Windows on the SSD now, hopefully with MBR table. Can anyone tell me why this happened?
 
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prodigalsource

Commendable
Jun 21, 2016
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1,510

Thanks, mate!
 
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