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Question

Cannot reload Win 7

Aug 28, 2015 2:41PM PDT

I have a Toshiba Tecra A11 that I am trying to reload WIN 7 onto the hard drive (Hitachi SATA 3.0Gb 7200 RPM). The installation goes to a certain point and then stops with no explanation. By chance that the HD has died, I put in another HD that I know is good. It will not do anything. So I am back to the HD that came in the computer. I have read and downloaded several tips but still cannot get the OS to completely install. I tried going into the drives on the BIOS but I frankly do not know the code letters for the CD drive. There are about 6 choices to be the main boot. I could not change the order of the list of the drives although I should have been able to do so. Please be kind in your response as I am an 83 yr old female but have a husband that is assisting me that is knowledgeable about working on delicate panels.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
3GB? That's pretty small.
Aug 28, 2015 2:54PM PDT

I'd recheck that as that would put it back to about 2003 or prior days.

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16 to 20 GB requirement at link.
Aug 28, 2015 3:06PM PDT
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HD size
Aug 28, 2015 3:31PM PDT

Dumb me. It is a 320 Gb HD. I also neglected to mention that I get a message that there are no drivers loaded.

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Answer
I think I'd check the disc first, then memory.
Aug 28, 2015 3:02PM PDT

I take it you're trying to install from a DVD? If so, I'd look for smudges or scratches on the disc. If that's not it, maybe your DVD drive needs cleaning with one of the kits you can buy at places that sell computers. If neither of these is the problem, I'd get hold of stand-alone memory diagnostics and run them.
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Good luck.

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Thanks
Aug 28, 2015 3:35PM PDT

The cd installation disks are AOK. I take very good care of them. I have a cd cleaning kit. I forgot to mention that I receive a message that there are no drivers loaded. I am wondering if the message refers to drivers in BIOS because I have use the disks for other installations and they do have drivers that load.

Thank you for the response. bjh1225

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Can you post the exact message you got about drivers?
Aug 28, 2015 4:28PM PDT

It sounds like maybe you have a hard drive other than the one that came with your laptop that might need a special install procedure where you have to install a driver for it. Without knowing exactly what the message says though I have no way to know. Also have you cleaned that DVD drive? That's the simplest, easiest, and cheapest thing you can do, so by all means do that first if you haven't already. Getting back to the driver message, you said you have a 7,200 RPM hard drive, and that's rare in laptops, so again that adds to my inkling that you might need a driver for it.

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Messaage
Aug 28, 2015 7:57PM PDT

Here is what the message reads about 'Load Drivers':
No drives were found. Click LOAD DRIVER to provide mass storage driver for installation.
and 'Select driver to be installed Load Drives to install the devise driver needed to access your hard drive, insert the installation media containing the driver files and click OK.

My friend's husband died earlier this year and she recently gave me his Tecra A11. The only disk she could find was a Windows 7 Professional Includes Service Pack 1. This is the only computer that I have ever had that will not accept a fresh install of the OS.

Regards, bjh1225

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OK, it can't find the hard drive. First check connections.
Aug 29, 2015 6:25AM PDT

If the hard drive is a standard SATA 3 drive, Windows should recognize it and proceed. Since it's not doing that, first I'd check to be sure both the power and the data cable are correctly connected. If that hard drive is for some reason NOT a normal standard drive, you may need to get the driver for it. Did you get this same message when you used that other hard drive? Are you sure the SATA data cable is plugged into the right place on the motherboard?

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There are 2 possibles at first thought.
Aug 29, 2015 6:29AM PDT

1. This Windows 7 DVD is not for this machine. I can't see your Windows 7 DVD so I can't check it out.

2. The HDD is not blank. I have seen that message when folk partition and/or format the HDD prior to install. The fix is to zerofill or blank out the HDD. It's a little technical but I find DBAN (see google for what, how to use) to be the quickest exit.

I know this can be too technical to fix over a forum but we can try.

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windows 7 or XP?
Aug 29, 2015 6:47AM PDT
"Here is what the message reads about 'Load Drivers':
No drives were found. Click LOAD DRIVER to provide mass storage driver for installation.
and 'Select driver to be installed Load Drives to install the devise driver needed to access your hard drive, insert the installation media containing the driver files and click OK."


That sounds like the message you get from XP since it didn't come with SATA driver files. When newer motherboards came out with SATA, then the driver files for it had to be loaded first so XP could then be installed.
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Drivers
Aug 29, 2015 9:28AM PDT

Unfortunately I do not know what HD this computer came with. I did try to install Win XP and it would not do anything. When I tried to install Win 7 Professional it did install to the point where it said I needed to download drivers.

I am checking out the specifications on the Tecra A11 this morning. Plus, I have looked on the Hitachi support web site so I hope to get this problem solved today.

Thanks for your response, bjh1225

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Be prepared to get this reply.
Aug 29, 2015 9:40AM PDT

"There are no drivers offered with our drives."

That's because IDE and SATA drives use what Windows provides. There are many other reasons for the error message you provided but to date and this is decades later, it's never a driver from the HDD maker.

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The specs for the Terca A11 are here
Aug 29, 2015 9:52AM PDT
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Specs
Aug 29, 2015 11:27AM PDT

I have checked the specs for this computer. It came with Win 7 Professional 64 bit (has the COA sticker on back) 2.8Ghz 4 GB memory Hitachi HDD 7K500 320 GB
7200 RPM 5V 800mA DC - 320 GB SATA 3.0Gb/s

The above can also be seen on a review that CNET did on this laptop.

I feel that I will conquer this beast by this evening. I HOPE SO.

Thanks for your input, bjh1225

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If you run into a dead end.
Aug 29, 2015 1:06PM PDT
http://support.toshiba.com/contact

It looks like you can order recovery media on-line or call and have a chat/order the media.
Do have the complete model number and serial number available.
It looks like there are a few models of that thing.
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Recovery DIsk
Aug 29, 2015 4:17PM PDT

Bob, I went to the Toshiba support site to see how much they want for the recovery disks. It was my bed time and the site didn't want to recognize my model # so I quit an went to bed. I have not tried it again today. I was asked to enter the last 4 digits of the model # which are V04S but message said that was wrong. I took it off of the back of the computer and I double checked that I had read the numbers correctly.

Going now to see if I can find the 'hidden' recovery place in the computer system.

Regards. bjh1225

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Older computer and BIOS
Aug 29, 2015 9:34PM PDT

Some of those had to first load drivers even though there were SATA ports on the motherboard for the drives. The motherboard maker would supply the SATA driver files, and during an install you'd get a message to load drivers, often from floppy or USB drive, and then it would continue on to install the system.

http://support.toshiba.com/support/modelHome?freeText=2567767

http://support.toshiba.com/support/viewContentDetail?contentId=1079102&pf=true

======================================================

The HDD has a password lock on it?

http://support.toshiba.com/support/modelHome?freeText=2567767

http://support.toshiba.com/support/driversResults?freeText=PTSE3U-05Q01P

====================================================
http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/Drivers-and-Utilities/Missing-driver-for-Tecra-A11/m-p/647617#M22817

http://support.toshiba.com/support/viewContentDetail?contentId=2596814&pf=true

http://support.toshiba.com/support/viewContentDetail?contentId=2499257&pf=true

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SUNDAY
Aug 30, 2015 9:31AM PDT

My husband is going to check to see if the cables are positioned correctly for the hard drive to function. If that doesn't work then I will set the computer repair aside until the disks I ordered arrive.

I will try the links that you posted. I appreciate that you took the time and effort to find and post them.

Regards, bjh1225

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SUNDAY
Aug 30, 2015 9:32AM PDT

My husband is going to check to see if the cables are positioned correctly for the hard drive to function. If that doesn't work then I will set the computer repair aside until the disks I ordered arrive.

I will try the links that you posted. I appreciate that you took the time and effort to find and post them.

Regards, bjh1225

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Recovery media
Aug 30, 2015 10:33AM PDT

So it looks like you got your model number sorted and managed to order the recovery media.

There is/might be a recovery partition on the hdd.
Their kind of fragile things but if you want to play with it.
http://content.etilize.com/user-manual/1016503061.pdf

Starts at page 61.

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Recovery Wizard
Aug 30, 2015 1:13PM PDT

Bob, I tried this a couple of days ago. I was able to bring it up once and not the 2nd time.

For now I am calling it quits on this posting as I have other obligations for the next few days.

I truly appreciate everyone that has responsed to me for their taking the time to search and post their info on the subject.

Regards, bjh1225

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Re: install error
Aug 29, 2015 7:02AM PDT
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Thanks
Aug 29, 2015 9:23AM PDT

Last evening I joined the Toshiba forum and posted this same problem. It appears that I may have to download drivers from the Hitachi web site. I have been to the Hitachi support page this morning. I hope by the end of today I have been able to solve my problem.

Thanks, bjh1225

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Answer
OK, not the HDD size. What is that message?
Aug 28, 2015 4:42PM PDT