ASUS "selected file is not a proper BIOS"

Megahertz07 said:

Did you checked BIOS settings?
On the Info tab, what MB model you have? What BIOS version you have?
Did you detached the other disks before installing Win 7?
Did you installed as UEFI or Legacy?

This is how I would install (as UEFI)
Detach ALL other disks, leaving on only the disk you want to install on.

On BIOS

Set SATA=AHCI

Disable fast boot (you can enable it after installation)

You have to use a Win 7 64 bits installation disk. Win 7 32 bits isn't compatible with UEFI

Disable secure boot
OS type Windows UEFI = Secure boot, so if OS type = Other, secure boot is disabled.

for CSM, here are the settings (in bold)
Launch CSM.......................................(Auto, Enabled, Disabled)
Boot Device Control.............................(UEFI and Legacy OPROM, Legacy OPROM only, UEFI Only)
Boot from Network Devices...................(Ignore, Legacy Only)
Boot from Storage Devices....................(Ignore, Legacy Only, UEFI Driver first)
Boot from PCIe/PCI Expansion Devices....(Legacy Only, UEFI driver first)

Boot from the Win 7 installation disk ON UEFI MODE (important). If you are using a USB flash disk, make sure it has the \efi\boot folder or it wont boot as UEFI.
During POST, launch the Boot menu (F12?). There will be 2 options Legacy and UEFI. Choose CD/DVD UEFI or USB UEFI.
Go to Install - advanced - delete all partitions - Create new - Win 7 will create 3 partitions
- 100 M Fat 32 - UEFI
- 120 M RAW - MSR
- a large NTFS
Install on the large NTFS

For the updates MS releases SP2 for Windows 7

just got back from exchanging the board and going through with all the recommended settings, still i cant get it to restart properly. i can get into windows now but when i hit restart in windows, it shuts down then POSTs, then goes into a black screen. is it the hard drive's fault?

ps. the USB i installed win 7 has the USB 3.0 included and the efi folder, i installed win 7 into the largest partition like u said

AddRAM said:

Try using the one time boot menu, then choose your drive, what happens ?

as in F8 / choosing boot device?

just tried that and the "ASUS" logo wouldnt show upon restart, i guess it didnt POST either, just went straight into the black screen. dont have the opportunity to hit F8