Forum Discussion
- rashichouhanOccasional Contributor
I am facing the same issue with my HP laptop, if anyone is there please let us know.
- avasinclairNew Contributor
When Windows can’t detect the drive during installation, it’s often because of how the drive is set up in the BIOS or because the proper drivers aren’t loaded for the storage controller. Here are a few things you can try that might help:
- Check the BIOS Settings: Start by booting into your BIOS (usually pressing F2, F12, or DEL right when your laptop powers on should get you there). Look for an option related to the “SATA Mode” or “Storage Configuration.” If it’s set to RAID, try switching it to AHCI, which sometimes makes the drive visible to Windows during installation. Some laptops come pre-configured for RAID, especially if they’re business models, but AHCI is usually simpler for a single drive setup.
- Load the Storage Driver: If switching to AHCI doesn’t work or you prefer to keep RAID, you may need to load the correct Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver during installation. When you reach the “Where do you want to install Windows?” screen, look for the option to “Load Driver” and browse for the IRST driver. You can usually download it from Intel’s website or your laptop manufacturer’s support page.
- UEFI vs. Legacy Boot: If you’re installing Windows from a USB, make sure it’s set up as a UEFI bootable device, as some newer laptops require UEFI mode to properly detect drives. If your USB stick was created in Legacy mode, re-create it with a tool like Rufus, making sure UEFI is selected.
- Secure Boot and Fast Boot: Try disabling these in the BIOS as well, at least temporarily during installation. Secure Boot can sometimes interfere with detecting new hardware during the setup process.
I’ve run into similar issues myself when setting up a new laptop, and it can be frustrating! Hopefully, one of these suggestions will do the trick.
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