I think this problem is related to leftover gpt partitioning - at least everytime I had the problem if I "zero out" the gtp table and the back-up table at the end of the drive I have alway been able to install OpenBSD/NetBSD mbr boot loader and have it "find" the hard drive.
The two ways to do this are
1.
dd or
or
2. use the "zap" utility in
gdisk.