Laptop not booting after replacing HDD :(

[crazy about cars]

I've decided to upgrade the RAM and also HDD to SSD on my Asis U36J by following the guide here : http://planetjon.ca/2012/06/17/how-to-put-an-ssd-h...

Being a bit careless I might have used force by accident to disconnect the cables. On inspection it looks ok.

After installing the SSD and RAM when I turn the laptop on nothing happens Certainly no display all I get is the power lights. I can feel the fan and some heat but that's it.

Have I bricked the laptop?

[crazy about cars]

No bios at all Just power lights and then it shut itself down. I've got 2 screws missing though - will that cause issues?

I will try to put the old HDD in to see if it works... I didn't copy the OS or anything over just plugged in the new SSD.

[crazy about cars]

Have put the old RAM in and now it works... well it boots at least!

I've bought the same RAM (DDR3) but this one is higher speed (original is DDR3 1333 but the new one is 1600). I've asked and was told it's compatible?

[crazy about cars]

crazy about cars said:

Have put the old RAM in and now it works... well it boots at least!

I've bought the same RAM (DDR3) but this one is higher speed (original is DDR3 1333 but the new one is 1600). I've asked and was told it's compatible?

Ah, my new RAM is 8GB single stick I suspect max RAM it supports in one slot is 4GB...

[crazy about cars]

[-]Right...ran into another problem hopefully someone can help.

I've plugged in an external USB DVD drive as my laptop doesn't have one. I've got a "Media required for installation is missing" prompt when trying to install.

I've rebooted into BIOS and the SSD is detected by BIOS. The HDD was in AHCI mode and I've changed it to IDE mode. I'm still getting the same prompt. What should I do? What drivers do I need?[/-]

Scrap that...turned out I've plugged the external DVD drive to a USB3 drive...works now. Things you learn along the way eh?

I wonder why my HDD was set in AHCI mode before though...

I would sincerely like to thank all for being so helpful on a Sat evening though! Virtual beer on me chaps

Edited by crazy about cars on Saturday 23 August 19:58

Edited by crazy about cars on Saturday 23 August 20:00

[crazy about cars]

wizzard67 said:

The SSD should really be in AHCI mode rather than IDE anyway.

Glad you've got to the bottom of it, hope you can get a refund or exchange on your new RAM

Nay chance as I've practically ripped the packaging apart lol :P I'll just keep it for future use.

I've left the HDD in IDE mode... should I switch it back to AHCI?

edit: Also want to say what a massive change with the SSD and Windows 8.1 (bargain @ £80 for OEM builders kit) made! Feels like a brand new laptop even with the old RAM!

Edited by crazy about cars on Saturday 23 August 23:04

[crazy about cars]

Did some Googling and it's a matter of switching a registry key then reboot into BIOS to switch to AHCI. The HDD seems to run even faster now.

My desktop W7 PC is in SATA IDE mode though and it runs fine. Might do some research into this...