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Fresh Windows installation: can't find the drive to install

Minos302
By Minos302
in Troubleshooting
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Hi,

 

I'm trying to do a fresh install of Windows 11 on a desktop and I'm kinda losing my mind. I did everything as usual, downloaded W11 iso from Microsoft, flashed it to a FAT32 boot drive with Rufus let it run and nothing. I always end up on the same screen telling me it can't boot from the SSD that's in my computer, even though it's showing, it's working fine, it still can't do it. Windows is telling me that it's missing some drivers to install on the drive, even though I've downloaded all the drivers I could find, put them in a different drive and looked for them during the installation, nothing seems to work. I removed the drive from the motherboard, put a functioning SSD (by functioning I mean with Windows installed) and everything went smoothly, I put the empty SSD in another computer with already a bootable SSD in it and it works fine.

 

I don't know what to do anymore, I redid it fresh, cleaned every drive, I tried flashing with other tools, writing the thing myself etc.

 

My config:

  • Motherboard: Gigabyte B650M D3HP AX
  • CPU: Ryzen 5 7600x
  • GPU: RX 7600
  • SSD: Lexar NM620 M.2 
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36 minutes ago, Minos302 said:

Hi,

 

I'm trying to do a fresh install of Windows 11 on a desktop and I'm kinda losing my mind. I did everything as usual, downloaded W11 iso from Microsoft, flashed it to a FAT32 boot drive with Rufus let it run and nothing. I always end up on the same screen telling me it can't boot from the SSD that's in my computer, even though it's showing, it's working fine, it still can't do it. Windows is telling me that it's missing some drivers to install on the drive, even though I've downloaded all the drivers I could find, put them in a different drive and looked for them during the installation, nothing seems to work. I removed the drive from the motherboard, put a functioning SSD (by functioning I mean with Windows installed) and everything went smoothly, I put the empty SSD in another computer with already a bootable SSD in it and it works fine.

 

I don't know what to do anymore, I redid it fresh, cleaned every drive, I tried flashing with other tools, writing the thing myself etc.

 

My config:

  • Motherboard: Gigabyte B650M D3HP AX
  • CPU: Ryzen 5 7600x
  • GPU: RX 7600
  • SSD: Lexar NM620 M.2 

Have you tried putting the drivers on the USB drive with the windows installation media? That has typically been the solution whenever I've run into this issue.

I might be experienced, but I'm human and I do make mistakes. Trust but Verify! I edit my messages after sending them alot, please refresh before posting your reply. Please try to be clear and specific, you'll get a better answer. Please remember to mark solutions once you have the information you need. Expand this signature for common PC building advice, a short bio and a list of my components.

 

Common build advice:

1) Buy the cheapest (well reviewed) motherboard that has the features you need. Paying more typically only gets you features you won’t use. 2) only get as much RAM as you need, getting more won’t (typically) make your PC faster. 3) While I recommend getting an NVMe drive, you don’t need to splurge for an expensive drive with DRam cache, DRamless drives are fine for gamers. 4) paying for looks is fine, just don’t break the bank. 5) Tower coolers are usually good enough, unless you go top tier Intel or plan on OCing. 6) OCing is a dead meme, you probably shouldn’t bother. 7) "Bottlenecks" rarely matter and "Future-proofing" is a myth. 8) AIOs don't noticably improve performance past 240mm.

 

Useful Websites:

https://www.productchart.com - helps compare monitors, https://uk.pcpartpicker.com - makes designing a PC easier.

 

Bio:

He/Him - I'm a PhD student working in the fields of reinforcement learning and traffic control. PCs are one of my hobbies and I've built many PCs and performed upgrades on a few laptops (for myself, friends and family). My personal computers include 4 windows (10/11) machines and a TrueNAS server (and I'm looking to move to dual booting Linux Mint on my main machine in future). Aside from computers, I also dabble in modding/homebrew retro consoles, support Southampton FC, and enjoy Scuba Diving and Skiing.

Fun Facts

1) When I was 3 years old my favourite toy was a scientific calculator. 2) My father is a British Champion ploughman in the Vintage Hydraulic Class. 3) On Speedrun.com, I'm the world record holder for the Dream Bobsleigh event on Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games 2010.

 

My Favourite Games: World of Tanks, Runescape, Subnautica, Metroid (Fusion and Dread), Spyro: Year of the Dragon (Original and Reignited Trilogy), Crash Bash, Mario Kart Wii, Balatro

 

My Computers: Primary: My main gaming rig - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/NByp3C Second: Hosts Discord bots as well as a Minecraft and Ark server, and also serves as a reinforcement learning sand box - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/cc9K7P NAS: TrueNAS Scale NAS hosting SMB shares, DDNS updater, pi-hole, and a Jellyfin server - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/will0hlep/saved/m37w3C Foldatron: My folding@home and BOINC rig (partially donated to me by Folding Team Leader GOTSpectrum) - Mobile: Mini-ITX gaming rig for when I'm away from home -

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3 minutes ago, will0hlep said:

Have you tried putting the drivers on the USB drive with the windows installation media? That has typically been the solution whenever I've run into this issue.

Yes, same issue still. I've encountered many solutions, none has worked, I tried all USB ports, I tried installing Windows 10 to upgrade to 11, I tried balena, I tried other boot drives, and many more I cannot remember, I've been at it for three days

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Download and extract this drive into your Window USB drive. https://download.gigabyte.com/FileList/Driver/PreInstall_9.3.2.255.zip

Point to the folder when it ask to load for driver. 

| Intel i7-3770@4.2Ghz | Asus Z77-V | Zotac 980 Ti Amp! Omega | DDR3 1800mhz 4GB x4 | 300GB Intel DC S3500 SSD | 512GB Plextor M5 Pro | 2x 1TB WD Blue HDD |
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26 minutes ago, xAcid9 said:

Download and extract this drive into your Window USB drive. https://download.gigabyte.com/FileList/Driver/PreInstall_9.3.2.255.zip

Point to the folder when it ask to load for driver. 

Holy... I could kiss you, it finally works thank you so so much. For anyone having the same issue, just that I had to select the exact folder, not the base, untick the compatibility option and install the first drive manually.

 

Thank you so much again.

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7 hours ago, xAcid9 said:

Download and extract this drive into your Window USB drive. https://download.gigabyte.com/FileList/Driver/PreInstall_9.3.2.255.zip

Point to the folder when it ask to load for driver. 

Well, I regret to say it, but after configuring everything and removing my bootable drive, Windows just straight up stopped working, insert the boot drive, Windows works, remove, windows freezes. It has probably installed a part of Windows on it and relies on the drive to work. I tried everything again but now it just plain doesn't work.

I'll just buy another SSD

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