How to Set the SATA Operation Mode in the BIOS Setup
These are instructions for entering the BIOS setup on Dell, HP and Lenovo laptops. For other makes it should tell you on the screen which F key to press to enter the setup. Please be careful when you are in the BIOS if you are not familiar with it. The SATA Operation Mode in your laptop must match the SATA drivers on the hard drive. If it doesn’t you will get a blue screen crash as it starts to boot into Windows.
Dell Laptops
As soon as your power on the laptop, and the screen turns on, press F2 repeatedly until you see “Preparing to enter Setup” in the top right corner of the screen. Once in the BIOS, click on “Load Defaults” either at the bottom of the screen, or under “Maintenance,” depending on the model. Once defaults are applied, the hard drive will boot in to Windows. You can also locate the SATA Operation Mode setting under System or Device Configuration, depending on the model. Make sure it is set to the same mode as stated in the listing.
If you get a blue screen crash on boot up it means the SATA mode in the BIOS doesn’t match the hard drive. After a blue screen crash you will be offered a choice of Repair Windows or Start Windows Normally when you try to reboot into Windows. Always choose Start Windows Normally after you have reset the BIOS.
If the SATA Operation Mode stated in the listing is not offered in your BIOS, then you do not have the laptop model specified. The hard drive will not boot in your laptop. You will have to reinstall Windows on it by booting from a Windows DVD. Windows will install the SATA driver for whatever mode your BIOS is set to.
HP Notebooks
As soon as your power on the laptop, and the screen turns on, press F10 to enter the BIOS setup. HP laptops only offer two setting; ATA and AHCI (Compatibility). All our HP hard drives are set to AHCI, which is the default mode in all HP notebooks. Once in the BIOS, select Restore Defaults under System Configuration which will set the SATA Device Mode is set to AHCI. If you get a blue screen crash on boot up it means the SATA mode in the BIOS doesn’t match the hard drive. After a blue screen crash you will be offered a choice of Repair Windows or Start Windows Normally when you try to reboot into Windows. Always choose Start Windows Normally after you have reset the BIOS.
Lenovo ThinkPads
As soon as your power on the laptop, and the screen turns on, press F1 to enter the BIOS setup. HP laptops only offer two setting; ATA and AHCI (Compatibility). All our HP hard drives are set to AHCI, which is the default mode in all HP notebooks. Once in the BIOS, select Restore Defaults under System Configuration to set the SATA Device Mode is set to AHCI. If you get a blue screen crash on boot up it means the SATA mode in the BIOS doesn’t match the hard drive. After a blue screen crash you will be offered a choice of Repair Windows or Start Windows Normally when you try to reboot into Windows. Always choose Start Windows Normally after you have reset the BIOS.
Activating Windows With Your Product Key
Windows 7 and Windows Vista
Make sure you have a valid Windows 7 Product Key for the exact version installed on the hard drive. If you are asked to activate during boot up choose Activate Later. Continue to boot into Windows and make sure you have internet access. If you need to install a different wireless card, do this before installing your product key and this process needs internet access.
Click on START, ALL PROGRAMS, ACCESSORIES. Right click Click START, right click on COMPUTER, click on PROPERTIES and near the bottom of the window click on CHANGE PRODUCT KEY link. Re enter your Product Key.
Windows XP
After you have established an internet connection, use the key update utility on the desktop to change the Product Key. Do not turn on Windows Automatic Updates until after you change the key.
Activation Failure
If activation fails you will get a message and icon stating “this is not a valid copy of Windows.” It will go away as soon as you put in a valid Windows product Key. There are a few reasons why Activation might fail:
1. You are not connected to the internet.
2. The put in the wrong key. The most common mistake is B instead of 8, or visa versa. Make sure you put in the key exactly as is on the COA sticker on your laptop.
3. The key you put in is for a different version of Windows 7. It must be a key for the exact version Windows 7. A Home Basic key will not validate Home Premium or Professional, or visa versa.
4. The key is in use on another computer.
