topic Re: Windows setup does not recognise X25-M SSD on Lenovo T61 in Archive

Windows setup does not recognise X25-M SSD on Lenovo T61

idata — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:08:34 GMT

I have a Lenovo T61 laptop and have installed an X25-M 80GB SSD in it. It is recognised in the bios, and bios runs a test on it successfully. I wanted to do a clean install of Windows XP and so I tried booting from the DVD drive with my windows CD, and then installing windows. When i do this, the windows installation program stops and says that no HDD is present - even though the Lenovo bios does think it there. I am stuck - do I need any special drivers? Help, please!!!

Re: Windows setup does not recognise X25-M SSD on Lenovo T61

idata — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:22:36 GMT

If you're trying to install XP with SATA in AHCI mode, then yes, you need special drivers. You'll either need to create a special boot CD with the drivers already on it or supply them from a floppy using the F6 function function. Search the Internet for instructions, for example "install xp ahci".

Re: Windows setup does not recognise X25-M SSD on Lenovo T61

idata — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:08:28 GMT

as ZXTT95 helped in another thread of a similar topic, also consider aligning your partition before you install XP on it.

http://communities.intel.com/message/83842# 83842

Re: Windows setup does not recognise X25-M SSD on Lenovo T61

idata — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:30:04 GMT

Thanks - I really appreciate your quick response. I have downloaded what appear to be the correct drivers, and am heading out today to get a USB floppy drive. I'll let you know what happens. Your help is appreciated!! Martin.

Re: Windows setup does not recognise X25-M SSD on Lenovo T61

idata — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:34:06 GMT

Thanks, interesting suggestion. I had in fact already partitioned the drive after hooking it up as a secondary drive on my Windows XP desktop. Anyway, I just tried booting the T61 with a windows 7 DVD. It recognised the drive, and started installing windows 7 - it didn't offer to partition - maybe because it was already partitioned. I aborted the Win 7 installation when it started installing files and then tried again, but this didn't help. I think will have to use the F6 route.

Re: Windows setup does not recognise X25-M SSD on Lenovo T61

idata — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:41:04 GMT

Martin, did you see any of the screens listed in this installation guide?

http://www.techtalkz.com/windows-7/514412-windows-7-installation-guide-tutorial.html

Re: Windows setup does not recognise X25-M SSD on Lenovo T61

idata — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:58:07 GMT

Yes, right up to the last screen shown, except that it didn't warn about creating partitions.

Re: Windows setup does not recognise X25-M SSD on Lenovo T61

idata — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:02:15 GMT

Success!! I couldn't find the correct drivers on the Intel web site - I needed the 82801HEM/HMB (ICH8M) driver set and they were not there. I tried other versions and they did not work. However, I checked the Lenovo support web site than they had the correct ICH8M drivers. Loaded them onto a floppy, and all is now working perfectly. Many thanks to everyone for their suggestions and input. Windows is loading as I type this out, and hopefully my problems are now solved. Thanks!! Martin.