Installing Windows 7 Missing Optical Device

[Professor Frink]

I'm in the process of installing Windows 7; I boot of the 64x DVD drive. I choose the language etc but when I get the point where it is looking for a drivers it can not see my optical device.

I have a Pioneer DVR111-RAM (SATA) drive. When browsing through 'My Computer' it shows all my hard drives, my 3 USB internet dongle and and X drive called boot but not my Pioneer drive.

Any suggestions, advise?

[aidanjt]

What motherboard?

And try switching between AHCI and IDE SATA modes in your motherboards BIOS. Some BIOSes/optical drives don't play well together.

[Professor Frink]

What motherboard?

And try switching between AHCI and IDE SATA modes in your motherboards BIOS. Some BIOSes/optical drives don't play well together.

abit AW9D-MAX

[peackshelb]

abit AW9D-MAX

It looks like that board has more than one SATA controller. Have you had a chance to try aidanjt's suggestion? You could always attach your DVD drive to SATA ports from one controller set to IDE mode and keep your HDDs attached to SATA ports via the other controller set to AHCI mode in the BIOS. I'm assuming your BIOS allows you to set this for each controller (mine does). I'm also assuming you currently have it set to AHCI

It does seem a bit strange though that your BIOS seems fine with the drive at the start, and it is only while you are installing Windows that it suddenly stops working. Let us know how you go and good luck.

[Professor Frink]

Sorry for not getting back to earlier but not had any time to play around with my PC set-up.

I had a quick look and couldn't see any options for AHCI mode. I will have a more detailed view tomorrow or the next day. Maybe add some screen shots, etc.

Thanks