Solved!
Go to SolutionWindows-setup doesn´t detect SATA-HDD and is asking for drivers
Dell Inspiron 15 3000 series (3514)
Laptop was upgraded from WIN 8 to 10 several years ago. Recently would not boot into Windows at turn on. hardware tests (F12) showed a HDD failure and solution indicated was to replace the HDD (Toshiba MQ01ABF050). Purchased a new exact replacement and installed it. At turn on get message "internal hard disk drive not found".
Shut down and installed thumb drive with WIN 10.iso to boot laptop from thumb drive into Windows Setup. Turn on, Click Install Now and setup starts and I select Custom Install and get to Where Do You Want to Install? and We could not find any drives. To get a storage driver, click Load Driver.
Get "Select the driver to install" and a window asking me to insert the installation media containing the driver files, and then click OK. I have nothing to install, what do I do next?
Could it be I have to format the drive? How?
Its asking for the Intel RST driver you'll find it on this page https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29007/Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Intel-RST-User-Interface-and-Driver?product=55005
you want to download the f6flpy-x64.zip.
unzip it to the same USB thumb drive you are installing windows from, when it ask for the driver browse your USB thumb drive for the file you upzip to. Once that driver is installed your hard drive/SSD will be available Volume to install to.
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@LarryW40 alternatively, go into your BIOS Setup and change the SATA Operation mode from RAID to AHCI, then you won't need a driver at all. As long as you don't plan to use a RAID setup (which most laptops can't even run because they don't support multiple internal disks) or a setup like having a small SSD cache module to accelerate a spinning HDD, you don't need RAID mode.
Thanks for the reply.
I had already done what you suggested but with a much earlier version of that driver (2013). I did find the latest version and inspected it, many more files when extracted. Hopefully this will solve my problem. Trying something else now but will try it tomorrow and let you know if it works.
Did not work.
At "Load Driver", went to Browse and USB (D:) and f6flpy-x64. Clicked OK.
If "Hide Drives that aren't compatible" is checked screen is empty. If unchecked, screen is populated with a list of Intel drivers. Tried most of them, none worked. My laptop has an AMD A4. Is it possible it needs an AMD driver?
MarianLaMare
1 Message
55487
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Posted November 28th, 2019 09:00
After manny trys with no results, the only solution was to create a dvd media installation and use an external optical drive
Yvan Brunel
1 Message
49704
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Posted October 26th, 2020 19:00
This Worked like charm! thanks. luckily you provided the direct link to download. i downloaded on my pc ,unzipped in the key then retried on the other PC.
I was setting up my girlfriend's PC and that was my problem. thanks again
Nathom1111
1 Message
41420
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Posted May 30th, 2021 20:00
Thanks dude, that was exactly what I needed (also given the fact that the link provided before is down).
Go to BIOS settings by pressing F2 when the Dell logo is shown during the computer booting.
Click Boot configuration, change the boot sequence your booting media such as CD or USB becomes first.
Click Apply changes.
Next, click Storage, uncheck the box for RAID on, check AHCI/NVme and click Apply changes.
Exit from the BIOS settings.
Reboot the computer, and you will see your drives during the windows installation.
DELL-Nat M
Community Manager
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Posted March 18th, 2025 12:24
Please refer to the community wiki below, which contains a summary of this discussion. Kindly inform us if this resolves your issue:
How to Resolve "No Hard Drive Found" Issue When Installing Windows on Dell Inspiron
If your system is still under warranty and you need further assistance, please contact support by clicking the 'Get Help Now' button located at the bottom right corner of the page.
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#IWork4Dell