Windows 7 on D150

I have a D150-1165. This thing has given me 2 days of headaches. I updated to the 1.13 BIOS and tried to install Windows 7. Guess what!!!

The 1.13 BIOS sucks on the D150-1165.

After I finally figured out there was a change to the AHCI/IDE settings in the newer BIOS, I downgraded to 1.05 and changed it to IDE mode. Everything works fine now.

When Windows 7 was up and running, I put 1.13 on again, and instantly had BSOD problems when I rebooted, both in ACHI and IDE mode.

So, if you have an older D150, and want Windows 7, use an older BIOS.


I hope this post saves someone the headache I just went through.

 

I can only hazard a guess that the IDE/AHCI option is what's tripping up Windows 7. Before you install Win7 you should set the BIOS to AHCI mode. And as always, after updating the BIOS for any computer, you should double check the settings. My 150 ran Windows 7 fine in AHCI mode with the latest BIOS.

Did you set it to AHCI mode before installing Win7? Or did you attempt to install it in IDE mode then change to AHCI?

 

Mine would NOT install Win 7 in AHCI mode using the latest BIOS. Gave some error about the the hard drive not being bootable in the BIOS.


As of right now, I have Windows 7 running, IDE mode, BIOS 1.09

But I have no sound, and cannot find the audio hardware in the device manager or anywhere.

 

If it were me I'd be re-flashing the latest BIOS again, followed by resetting the defaults. I've read elsewhere that after upgrading to the latest BIOS, downgrading to an earlier version doesn't quite work. Apparently some of the newer code stays.

Try updating back to the latest BIOS and reinstalling in AHCI. If AHCI doesn't work, try IDE. The audio hardware should be present in device manager, even if it doesn't have the proper driver installed. This could possibly be caused by the BIOS upgrade-downgrade process.

 

No joy. BIOS 1.13 just says I can't install to the disk in AHCI mode, and can't find the hard drive in IDE mode. Downgraded to 1.11, same thing. Downgraded to 1.09, same thing. AHCI mode seems to think it can't boot from the hard drive when using USB or SD card.

When you flash the BIOS, it resets to default automatically.

I installed Win 7 with IDE mode and BIOS 1.05.


Ugh. why is this little netbook being so difficult??? WTF acer??! c'mon!

 

Out of curiosity, how are you trying to install Windows 7? USB media or external CD/DVD-RW?

Are you using an original Win7 media? or one that has been modified by vLite or RT7Lite?

Hypothetically speaking, if you flash to BIOS 1.13 and start the installation under AHCI mode, does it see the drive and just say it can't be installed? or does it not see the drive at all? Usuaully when it says it can't be installed to the drive, the answer is to click the drive options button and reformat it.

Sorry I keep asking so many questions but you've piqued my curiosity lol.

P.S don't forget there's a hidden "recovery" partition on your hard drive. Windows 7 won't be able to install to this partition because it's way to small. The Win7 install may also chuck a hissy fit if there's already an installation on the drive, you really should reformat it first.

 

Win 7 Ultimate, from USB and SD card. (tired both, same results) Don't have an external DVD drive.

This is a different 160gb hard drive, so no recovery partition to speak of. The old one died. I'm wondering if there was more physical damage.

No, every time, with BIOS 1.11 and up, in AHCI mode it says something like "..cannot boot from this disk. enable it in the BIOS."
EDIT: And if I switch to IDE mode, it doesn't find anything at all.

This is a D150-1165, which is one of the earlier versions, I believe, since it doesn't have the 3G or Bluetooth hardware.


As of right now, BIOS 1.09 seems to be the best choice for it. There is surprisingly little info available online for the D150 model.

I think I'm on to trying some linux on the netbook and see if I can at least find some audio hardware.

Thanks for the help!