ASUS X55A Windows Install + UEFI Confusion

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  1. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #1

    ASUS X55A Windows Install + UEFI Confusion


    Can someone elaborate on this UEFI thing as I am totally confused.
    There is an option in the BIOS that says: Delete Boot Option, but there is nothing to delete. There is also no Add Boot Option.
    Also there are supposed to be other options such as Launch CSM or Secure Boot Control, but they are missing too.
    There is no UEFI option too. There was one with BIOS version 302, but I updated to latest BIOS 417 and it was gone.

    My attempts to install Windows 7 fail miserably and I don't know why. The weird thing is that if I disable USB via I/O Interface Security then Windows 7 loads after a fresh installation, but if they are enabled it gives me a BSOD with 0x000007E error. Tried to install Windows 8 and at one point it was working, but then I installed a bunch of drivers and it started giving me a fancier BSOD. I think the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver was to blame?

    So what is this UEFI thing and how do I use it to install Windows 7 or 8 properly? What options do I disable/enable in BIOS and at what point?

    Thank you.
      My Computer


  2. Arc
    Posts : 35,373
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
       #2

    Hi CYPER.

    I am not very aware of the UEFI because when I got it and had a real hard time to install windows, I straight disabled it.

    I think some other people will explain you about the UEFI, but my concern is the BSODs, stop 0x7E, caused by Intel Rapid Storage?

    You may boot into the BIOS, and then disable Intel Rapid Storage and/or Intel Smart Response. Also if there is a xTreme Hard Drive (Gigabyte XHD) option, keep it disabled.

    One more vital question is ..... you have two discs. Definitely you are installing windows on the OCZ SSD? When UEFI is on, the disc will be formatted as GPT during install. But what is the format of the Samsung HDD? If it is MBR, windows will never load. If you know about it, let us know.

    But if you dont know, download Partition wizard Bootable CD (the last one in the link). Burn it in a blank CD or in a USB flash stick.

    Boot into Partition Wizards GUI following this instructions. When you are on the last screen, take a camera snap of the screen and upload the snap here.
    Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

    We need to see the partitions and parameters. It will tell us the answers.

    Frankly speaking, the first attempt with UEFI was very hard with me, too.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi and thank you for your reply.

    The laptop has only one hard disk (500GB).
    Right at the beginning I updated the BIOS to the latest 417 version.
    I've read that options like UEFI Control, Secure Boot and CMS should be available in the BIOS, yet I don't have them. There is an option "Remove Boot Option" with nothing to remove in the list. There is no "Add Boot Option" and I think there should be one.
    Also there is no Intel Rapid Storage and/or Intel Smart Response in the BIOS. The only options that I think are somehow related are Launch PXE OpROM and Delete Boot Option (Empty List).

    I have no problems booting and installing Windows 7 x64 or Windows 8.1 x64 from a USB drive. The problems appear after successful installation.

    Windows 7: Not sure at what point exactly I get the first BSOD, but disabling USB hardware in the BIOS under Security/IO Interface Security/USB Interface Security/Lock gets rid of the BSOD and Windows works from there on. Basically disabling external USB Ports, CMOS Camera and Card Reader fixes the problem, but I need this.

    Windows 8 - After the very first Windows Update (16 Updates) and the restart after installing them I start to get the fancier Windows 8 BSOD every time. Then after 2 failed boots it gives me the Repair option, which is basically a System Restore I think and it works again, because it removes the 16 Updates. If I install them again = boom same BSOD.

    I think the HDD is formatted with MBR with both Windows 7 and 8.1
    I see no traces of UEFI anywhere - not sure how to check though, but I think if it was UEFI then I wouldn't be able to boot from the USB stick to install Windows, right?

    A few photos from BIOS:







      My Computer


  4. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Just did the Restore on the latest Windows 8.1 installation and it worked, albeit it is loading the OS quite slowly. The 16 updates are gone and I can install them again, which I am 100% sure will lead to the BSOD again. Windows 8.1 is working normally now and I can restart the laptop without BSOD, but can't update it



    These are the updates:



    And these are the HDD partitions:

      My Computer


  5. Arc
    Posts : 35,373
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
       #5

    OK, you boot into the BIOS.

    Search in tabs "Main", "Advanced" and "Boot". Expand each and every item there. Wherever there is an UEFI option, set it to "legacy". Also, under Advanced > Sata Configuration, set the storage controller to AHCI. If there is any option named with Intel there, disable it.

    Then do a quick install of windows 7. Have at least two restarts after the installation is finished. Do the BSODs still occur? Let us know.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    There is no UEFI option of any kind in this BIOS version. I think there was one in version 302 before I updated the BIOS, but I don't remember.

    SATA Mode has always been AHCI.
    The only legacy option is in Advanced/Legacy USB Support which is Enabled by default. Next to it there is XHCI Pre-Boot Mode = Auto (default).
    Under Boot, Launch PXE OpROM = Disabled by default.

    Just did a fresh install of Windows 7 with 3 reboots after the installayion just to test for BSOD and it is working. Now my guess is if I start installing drivers and Updates it will start to give me BSOD at some point.

    Here are 3 photos from the installation:







    What should I do next?
      My Computer


  7. Arc
    Posts : 35,373
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
       #7

    I have asked for some more help. Let us hope we will get it soon. :)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #8

    Reference post only - no actionable items.

    Gigabyte pages: GA-X58A-UD5 (rev. 2.0)

    The BIOS versions you state don't seem to match those available for the board at all.
    Please double check that I am looking at the correct gigabyte Mobo and that you have the correct BIOS.

    If you're installing with a USB thumbdrive - follow these instructions
    UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

    Note: Pay close attention to the Rufus options in step# 4.
    edit: You cannot use the Win7 USB/DVD download tool to create UEFI install media on a USB thumbdrive - it formats NTFS which doesn't work with USB UEFI installs for some reason.

    I see that you are switching between Win8 and Win7 - is this a downgrade install?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Slartybart said:
    Reference post only - no actionable items.

    Gigabyte pages: GA-X58A-UD5 (rev. 2.0)

    The BIOS version you state don't seem to match those available for the board at all. Please double check that I am looking at the correct gigabyte Mobo and that you have the correct BIOS.

    If you're installing with a USB thumbdrive - follow these instructions
    UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

    Note: Pay close attention to the Rufus options in step# 4.

    I see that you are switching between Win8 and Win7 - is this a downgrade install?
    Please read the topic title - Asus X55A

    I tried the UEFI Bootable USB guide, but it made no difference.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #10

    CYPER said:
    Please read the topic title - Asus X55A

    I tried the UEFI Bootable USB guide, but it made no difference.
    Ok, fair enough.... thanks for checking my references.

    IF BIOS 302 gave you the options, I'd go back to that version or the base version 301
    There are some updates such as
    413: Fix the issue that SecureBoot will be disabled if BIOS is updated by EzFlash or WinFlash

    that indicate the flashing of BIOS is causing you consternation.

    I think I got the correct board machine this time :)

    Please update your System Specs for the you are working on. Out of habit, members look at the specs, not the title of the thread.

    Now about my other question... is this a Win8 downgrade install?
    Last edited by Slartybart; 01 Jul 2014 at 16:14. Reason: machine not board
      My Computer


 
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