XPS15 - No drivers were found message during Windows 7 install

Question

I have had an XPS15 for approx 18months and recently started getting the Windows blue screen of death.

After attempting a number of resolutions to no avail, I decided to reinstal Windows 7.

I have previously installed Windows 7 so I am familiar with the process.

However, this time I am unable to complete the installation as I get the following message:

"No drivers were found. Click load driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation."

I have read Windows support about needing to download and instal the manufacturers driver but:

(a) I am not sure what driver this would be

(b) how would I install it during the Windows 7 installation process if my USB drives are not recognised as I have reformatted my hard disk and need to re-install all my drivers once I have successfully installed Windows 7

DELL-Sujatha K · Answer

Hi gtroiano,

I request you to check if the HDD is detected in BIOS. To go to BIOS restart the system and at Dell logo tap the F2 key every two seconds. Check if the HDD is listed for Fixed HDD.

I also recommend you to run custom test on HDD. Restart the system and at the Dell logo keep taping the F12 key every 2 seconds. This will start the One-time boot menu. Using arrow keys select ‘Diagnostics’ and hit enter. This will run quick test without waiting for your input. To select a specific test, wait till the quick test completes, next a list of test available will be displayed. Please select HDD, check ‘Thorough Test mode’ and click Run tests. Please reply with the status to assist you further

gtroiano · Answer

Went into BIOS and Fixed HDD is listed as ST9750420AS Ran Diagnostics as requested. All tests reported as passed and was then prompted to run memory test and I selected Yes. On completion of tests I was presented with a screen headed Choose An Option with the following 3 options: Test memory Test system Exit Ran Test memory - all tests passed Ran Test system and selected Express Test and got the following error Error Code 0F00:133C Msg Disk - No suitable disk media is present Went back to run Custom Test as requested. There was no option of 'thorough test mode' only options to select Non-interactive tests only (I did not tick this option) Quick tests only (I did not tick this option) Test iterations ( l left this as the default value of 1) Selected Hard Drive and clicked Run Tests. Received a message that test would take 106mins to run. 2am now so going to bed. Will update with result in the morning.

gtroiano · Answer

Lucky I went to bed. Hard drive custom test still running this morning. Progress thus far: Confidence test - pass Drive self-test (short) - pass Read test - pass Seek test - in progress Off to work now and will post update when I return this evening.

gtroiano · Answer

Seek Test - pass

SMART Test - pass

Verify Test - pass

Success Dialogue box displayed with message 'All tests passed'

Hard Drive custom test complete.

Look forward to any further advice you can provide.

Philip_Yip · Answer

XPS 15 (L501x) or XPS 15 (L521x) or XPS 15 (L502x)?

You need to load the SATA drivers during the Windows setup. Likely you also need to disable USB 3.0 functionality if this system only has USB 3.0 ports.

See Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean install of Windows 7: http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/

Step 6 (page 25) for preparing the SATA Drivers; I assume the L502X so you need to use this driver: http://ftp.dell.com/FOLDER96369M/2/R296901.exe

Note if all ports in this system are USB 3.0 you will have to disable USB 3.0 functionality during the Windows 7 install in order to read the USB flash drive in order to load the SATA drivers (see page 471-473).

gtroiano · Answer

Thanks Philip, yes I have a L502x and will try this over the weekend.

I had a quick look at the instructions regarding disabling the USB 3.0 functionality and have 2 questions.

1. I assume i have USB 3.0 but how would I confirm ?

2. Went in BIOS - Miscellaneous devices and the 2 options were

External USB Ports

eSATA Ports

Both are set to Enabled. Would i need to set External USB Ports to Disabled ?

Philip_Yip · Answer

From the Tech Specs: http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-l502x/pd

You should have 2 USB 3.0 ports and they should be blue coloured.

There should also be 1 USB 2.0 (eSATA/powershare combo).

If there no option for debug, disable the eSATA port the USB 2.0 eSATA port should then act exclusively as a USB 2.0 port allowing your Windows 7 install to read the USB stick when attached to the USB 2.0 port.

gtroiano · Answer

Downloaded the driver, disabled the eSATA port and loaded the driver during the instal process without incident.

Install process began but got the following message before the first part of the install process progressed beyond 0 percent :

Windows cannot access the installation sources. Verify that the installation sources are accessible and restart the installation process.

On second attempt when I get to the screen that prompts where to install Windows, it now tells me that Windows cannot be installed to Disk 0 Partition 3. Upon clicking on show details it pops up a dialogue box with "Windows cannont be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu."

Looked into BIOS menu but could not see anything obvious and did not change any settings.

On subsequent instal attempts it now performs the initial copy files step and then gets stuck on the Starting Windows splash screen without reaching the first instal screen.

If I start it without booting from the disk I get the following message:

Windows has encountered a problem communicating with a device connected to your computer. ........ If you coutinue to see this error message, contact the hardware manufacturer.

File: /boot/BCD

Status: 0xc00000e9

Info: An unexpected I/O error has occurred

I think it's time for me to take it into an expert.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Have you tried installing Windows from a USB stick entirely?

Convert your Windows Reinstallation DVD into a bootable USB and on this USB add a folder with the SATA drivers.

Re-attempt the installation.

Page 291 of my Windows Reinstallation Guide will instruct you in converting your DVD into a USB.

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/

gtroiano · Answer

Did as suggested and was able to kick off the install from USB.

However, after the main installation screen completed I got a Installation was cancelled page, with the following message:

Windows could not update registry data in the installation.

Subsequent dialogue box appeared with the message:

Windows cannot access the installation sources. Verify that the installation sources are accessible and restart the installation.

speedstep · Answer

No drivers were found. Click load driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation.

This is a damaged media message. USB 3.0 flash drives and ports will also have this issue.

I would Highly recommend ATA mode for install. AHCI mode can be done later.

The hard drive could be bad also. I highly recommend a 16 gig or larger sandisk cruiser FIT drive formatted with an Official ISO image and the Microsoft USB Tool.

AHCI Mode can be done after Chipset and USB 3 Drivers.

After you use the BIOS setup of a Windows 7-based computer or a Windows Vista-based computer to change the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) mode of the boot drive to use either the Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) specification or redundant array of independent disks (RAID) features, you receive the following error message when the computer is restarted:

STOP 0x0000007B INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE

Error message occurs after you change the SATA mode of the …

support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

soryn11 · Answer

How to install Windows 7 from a USB 3.0 Thumb Drive (FAST installation!)

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XPS15 - No drivers were found message during Windows 7 install

Error message occurs after you change the SATA mode of the …

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