Boot Issue BIOS-WindowsBootManager-System Recovery problem

Hi, I have a brand new Win7 64bit build with a clean install from an Upgrade CD and noticed in BIOS that my 1st boot device must be "Windows Boot Manager" or it asks for the CD.

I only have 1 storage device (SSD) in the system and when I look under Disk Management in windows, it shows a 100MB "EFI System Partition" in addition to the primary partition (which is labeled "Boot, Crash Dump, and Primary Partition" - so it seems to have the boot files on it).

My components are:
Intel i5 3570K
Gigabyte Z77-DS3H mainboard
16GB Crucial Ballistix
Intel 520 180GB SSD
LG BD optical drive
GTX 560ti

As I only have the one non-optical storage device I did not set any partition parameters at install. I Attempted to do a Startup Repair with the windows disc to maybe try and delete the EFI partition and got the "... System Recovery Options is incompatible with the version you are trying to repair" error. Not sure what that is.

If Disk Management shows a healthy partition with "Boot" listed as being contained, why can I not select the SSD as boot device #1? I can boot perfectly fine with the Windows Boot Manager listed as boot device #1 and the SSD as #2, however it's not ideal.

Thanks

I would reinstall to an MBR disk after removing EFI Boot Disk from BIOS Boot order.

Set DVD drive first to boot, boot into DVD Command Line to run Diskpart Clean Command followed by the command "Convert MBR" and "Exit".

Then install Win7 following these same steps for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

This will avoid problem with having a GPT formatted disk installed with EFI boot which is not needed except in the rarest cases.

A UEFI install requires the EFI partition. Since the boot is started in the bios, the Windows boot manager is the correct boot device. You can't pick the SSD because it will not even have an active partition on it.

If you need to repair a UEFI system, during the boot, use the boot device F key (possibly F8 during the splash screen) or go into the bios, and boot to the UEFI version of the Install DVD. You will not get the incompatible system message.

Saltgrass said:

A UEFI install requires the EFI partition. Since the boot is started in the bios, the Windows boot manager is the correct boot device. You can't pick the SSD because it will not even have an active partition on it.

If you need to repair a UEFI system, during the boot, use the boot device F key (possibly F8 during the splash screen) or go into the bios, and boot to the UEFI version of the Install DVD. You will not get the incompatible system message.

Ok now I'm a bit confused. This is my first SSD installation. Are you saying because I have an SSD (and no other storage drive) that the 100mb EFI partition is required for boot, and that windows set it up correctly?

Like I said above, it boots up perfectly fine. I just am not sure if it's set up correctly but maybe that's because I've never had an SSD before.

Edit: And after checking, Yes, if I hit F12 and boot from UEFI BDRom it allows me to repair install via System Recovery Options without any incompatibility errors. Question now is do I need to?

Don't confuse the Windows 7 System Reserved partition, which a Windows 7 install may or may not add, with the EFI partition added in a UEFI install. The EFI partition is necessary for a UEFI install, but the System Reserved is not.

No repair is necessary if your system is running fine.

The fact you are using an SSD is not really relevant. It also happens with normal SATA drives.

OK, so do you think I should try to repair it? I'm still unsure why the Windows install arbitrarily decided to set it up this way, as I've installed Windows quite a few times in the past to HDD's.

My only real concerns are system stability and whether this will effect performance (the computer's basically a gaming machine).

If you question is to me, I see no need for a repair.

It set it up that way bacause the install was started from a UEFI version of the Install DVD. Different Bioses handle booting different ways. Some will default to the non-UEFI and some will not.

I have been running UEFI for a couple of years. It is the new technology and works just fine.

But, your system, your decision...

I'm more than willing to continue with it as is, like I said it works fine as far as can tell.

I guess my concern is based on my lack of understanding of exactly what a UEFI boot version is intended for and how it works with/affects my particular system.

UEFI/EFI enables installing to a GPT disk which allows unlimited primary partitions.

Windows and GPT FAQ

GPT vs MBR Disk Comparison

gregrocker said:

UEFI/EFI enables installing to a GPT disk which allows unlimited primary partitions.

Windows and GPT FAQ

GPT vs MBR Disk Comparison

I see, so it's part of the new technologies being used with the newer, >1TB drives.

So considering I have only 1 drive, 180GB, and I have no desire to set any partitions, let alone unlimited partitions, I clearly do not need this boot up partition.

Is that correct?