E6400, fubar, most likely I messed up the Matrix...HELP!!!

Alright fellas, I think I really messed up time. Here goes....
So I was so excited about Windows 7 that I picked up a full version of Windows 7 Pro for my Dell E6400. Before i even cracked the plastic, I did back up both my Vista Ultimate Partition (211 GB) and my Dell Recovery Partition (2 GB) using Driveimage XML to an enclosed HDD, but left my Window 7 RC partition alone (15 GB).

After doing so I went ahead and clean installed Windows 7 Pro 64 bit on the old Win 7 partition without a hitch. It booted up fine and then I loaded the chipset drivers, just has Dell recommends, I used the newest drivers DL'd from Dell.com for the Win 7 64 bit. Rebooted easily, installed the Video driver, rebooted easy. Then I installed the Newest Intel Matrix Storage application and driver. This is where I pulled a big rookie mistake. Instead of rebooting, I figured I'd fire up Partition Wizard and eliminate the RECOVERY Partition, shrink my Vista partition, and then increase the size of the fresh 7 partition. Clicked apply and allowed it to reset the cmputer to apply my partition changes. DANG IT, i forgot the Win 7 Disc was still in the drive, so I let it load the Win 7 install screen again, took the disc out, and then rebooted. Only to find that upon getting to my Intel Matrix Storage Manager it says "No Bootable Devices....etc, etc" DANG!!!! So I pop the Win 7 disc back in and boot from it, go to the recovery section and low and behold it isn't even indicating that I have any partitions. I select the "load drivers" option, (like loading old SATA drivers for XP) and find that even though the setup indicates I have no partition the explorer indicates my partitions are perfectly fine. To confirm I reboot with a bootable version of Partition Wiizard and find that it too indicates my partitions are there. So I know I screwed up the Matrix, I just don't know how (or if) I can fix it. I
evev tried loading the drivers at the recovery boot screen from my USB stick and had no go. PLEASE HELP ME SOMEONE, I'VE BEEN TOOKNG WITH THIS FOR OVER FOUR HOURS NOW AND I'M STUCK!!!!

Here's a pic of the gawd awful screen I have now come to HATE!!
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/757440/Mobile%20Photo%20Oct%2028%2C%202009%205%2043%2038%20PM.jpg

 

Pull out the hard drive, reboot, put it in. Also try setting the SATA mode to ACHI and then back to SATA or IRRT after a reboot.

 

No luck, but it was worth a try. Thanks!!

followup edit:
It boots into the screen and still gives the error, but without the Intel Matrix Storage Manager info across the top.

 

ah.... reinstall ;-)

 

I've tried that, but it doesn't even recognize that I have any HDD at that phase of the Install, I'll do an install and take some pics so ya'll can see. The only time I can see the partitions is when I search for the sata driver. I truly believe my issue is on the front end with the Matrix and I fear it will not be easily repaired with a fresh install or anything else, I'm just hoping it is something simple and I can look back at this thread a month from now and laugh at how drove up and panicky I was.

 

BTW, yes, I did download the SATA drivers and load them into the Win 7 install just to make sure, it still did not see the HDD at the actual install part.

 

Ummm! This seems to be one of those obscure glitches that can trip up Windows. I had something similar recently when I pulled out the power to an external HDD. Thereafter when I plugged it in Windows could see it but not read the contents. I then tried booting from the disc (it was bootable) whereupon CHKDSK said it was corrupted and fixed it.

Is there a console mode on the Win 7 disc so you can try running CHKDSK or any other partition related tools.

If that doesn't work then there should be a format option.

John

 

Hey guys!!!
Well, I am relieved to say that all is well now!! After stepping back for a while from the computer and gathering my wits about me, I booted back with the Win 7 install disc and tried it again to see what would happen, of course, it was not seeing the HDD at all. There was option to load drivers or something similar at the bottom with all of the options to format and such for the partitions, I clicked it, then all of a sudden an explorer window came up with the partitions visible. I clicked cancel, without even clicking anything in the explorer window, and there were my partitions for me to pick an install location!!! I went ahead and just re-installed Win 7 over my previous install and re-booted. Crossed my fingers and it worked!! I have no idea how, or if, I fixed it and what was even wrong with it. I thought it was the Matrix, but now after that, I seem to want to believe it was the Win 7 install quirk. I thank all you guys who read this and helped me along!!

 

I'm glad to hear that you got it fixed.

These little problems can be very annoying.

John