Windows 7 Installation does not detect Hard Disks

More than likely, your new laptop is using a SATA controller that is newer than what was shipped when Windows 7 was released. If Windows doesnt have the driver for the SATA controller, it caot see any disks that are coected to it.

You should be able to go to your laptop manufacturer's website and download the SATA controller drivers needed. You will need to copy these drivers to a CD or USB stick. Make sure to unzip/pack them before copying them to the disk. During the Windows 7 installation, I believe at the point you are getting stuck at (I havent installed 7 in a long time, so my memory is failing me) there is an option to load additional drivers. Select this and navigate to your CD or USB drive to install the driver.

Once the drivers are installed, you should see the drives coected to the SATA controller.

As for the touch pad... Im not sure, generally touch pads should work as a generic mouse and dont need a special driver. I would simply install Windows and when its done installing, it should hopefully autodetect it. If not, use a regular mouse to make your life easier and go back to the laptop manufacturers website and dowload the touchpad driver.

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