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No hard drive is showing up to install Windows
So, I have a Inspiron 7306 laptop. All was working great, but I wanted to give it to a family member. I tried to do a fresh Windows install within Windows. It didn't appear to work and instead loads Windows & brings me back to the login screen. However, it is now not accepting my password. At this point, my only option seems to do a fresh install from a USB drive.
I created the media on a USB drive from the Microsoft website. When I boot my Inspiron into the USB drive and start to go through the Windows installation setup, I am getting the following screen (below) telling me "it couldn't find any drives" for the Windows installation.
I know the drive works as it will still boot up fine (but can't login) so its not damaged. Any idea how to fix this in order to do a fresh reinstall from the USB?
ylecollen
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November 9th, 2022 22:00
i've got the same issue with my 7610: By default, your disk uses intel's rapidshare technology (RAID).
Either you disable the RAID mode in your bios or you download the rapidshare driver, extract it in your windows usb drive and load the drivers (you can see it in your screenshot)
Elevax0r
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July 23rd, 2024 14:28
Go to your BIOS and use the search function on the top right. Type in AHCI. Switch from RAID to AHCI and no drivers needed and your drive will show up.
ieee488
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November 9th, 2022 14:00
I suspect that your hard drive has GPT partition scheme.
Your USB flash drive was probably created to install Windows on a hard drive with MBR partition scheme.
mfranch87
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November 9th, 2022 16:00
OK, any idea how to fix this so it shows up and I can continue to do a fresh Windows install? Do I need to use another method for installing Windows? Should I download a different version to my USB stick? Just wondering how to continue with the install
JOcean
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November 9th, 2022 16:00
This page at easeus describes how to change a disk from GPT to MBR. It also has a link to Partition Manager which is used to perform that function. AOMEI Partition Assistant here can also be used for that purpose.
ieee488
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November 9th, 2022 17:00
The 7306 is just a year old. You don't want to be converting it to MBR.
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-create-windows-10-usb-bootable-media-uefi-support
AdrianG001
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November 13th, 2022 23:00
Insert in your target system your Dell Recovery USB key. Power up and immediately press F12 to show BIOS boot menu. Select under UEFI Boot: the UEFI: Dell Recovery USB selection. Follow the Dell Recovery USB process.
engrsaad
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January 9th, 2023 21:00
Hi @mfranch87
I also faced the same problem and consulted Dell about this. They provided the below .exe file and guide to sort this matter. I haven't tried yet but I feel it is a potential solution. Try this and let us know if it solves the matter. Snip of Dell's reply is attached.
Link Driver: https://dl.dell.com/FOLDER08107263M/3/Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Driver_XW8PP_WIN64_19.2.0.1003_A01_02.EXE
Link Guide: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-au/000132969/how-to-load-intel-rapid-storage-technology-driver-to-install-os-on-nvme-memory
. TOS76>
mfranch87
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January 13th, 2023 00:00
So, I have FINALLY gotten back to troubleshooting this issue. While I am able to create and boot up in the USB drive (containing Windows media), I am still running into problems. As stated before, no drives are showing up for a location to install Windows.
I tried the suggestion from the previous post where it basically tells me to obtain the storage driver for my laptop. I was able to do this and as stated & extract it to a USB drive. Here is where I got the storage driver for my model (2nd one on the list)
However, after trying to load this driver from the windows install menu, it doesn't seem to be recognizing it. Like the instructions, I tried to go to the same USB directory pictured here:
Nothing happens no matter which folder I select. Instead I keep getting this error:
Any ideas what is going on here and/or what I am doing wrong. I basically can't get the Windows Media installation to recognize this laptop's hard drive.
mfranch87
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January 13th, 2023 12:00
Well, after a few hrs and the help of Youtube, I was FINALLY able to figure this out. Basically, it required me to obtain the right storage driver from Intel's site. Here is where I got the right driver:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19512/intel-rapid-storage-technology-driver-installation-software-with-intel-optane-memory-10th-and-11th-gen-platforms.html
Since this laptop has an Intel, I downloaded the 3rd file. After downloading the file, I unzipped it to a USB drive. When needed, I then browsed for it. Once the correct driver was loaded, I was then able to see the drive and all the partitions as needed.
One other note though. All my partitions were initially locked with Bitlocker. In order to proceed, I had to delete all the partitions and all worked great. I was able to continue with the Windows install. Since I was doing a total fresh reinstall, I didn't require any data from the laptop, but if you need to obtain data, you will have to find some way to turn bitlocker off outside of the Windows environment.
I hope this helps others.
amdsree
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January 13th, 2023 18:00
Load Intel RST Floppy driver to Windows Media USB and Show the path to Detect Disc
Issue solved
cnation
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August 23rd, 2024 15:36
For anyone still having this problem, @Elevax0rs response is 100% correct and far easier than downloading drivers.
paul1316
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August 29th, 2024 19:20
@cnation THANK YOU! I was getting all ready to install drivers - this was quick and absolutely worked. Just saved me probably an hour setting up my son's new laptop.
TooNerdy
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September 10th, 2024 22:16
SOlved by
ylecollen
You rock
corentindsr
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September 12th, 2024 14:02
I have the same problem because i tried to install Linux side on Windows 11.
Now i can use Linux but not Windows because i touch the RAID Technology BIOS option.
Of course i try to load Intel RST Floppy driver but the installation is not successful…
(edited)