Install Windows 7 on Dell OptiPlex 7070 SFF i5-9500

[siliconbeaver]

Has anyone successfully installed Windows 7 on Dell OptiPlex 7070 SFF i5-9500?

mine is running Windows 11. my last try failed to install Windows 7 Pro on it.

according to posts in various forums (here and there), the procedure
1. acpi.sys patched to fix 000000A5 blue screen <--- update: per canonkong, only works on AMD platforms, intel maybe not work.
https://www.sevenforums.com/install...when-installing-w7-my-laptop.html#post3496460


2. run the install media (two tibx images) linked by SIW2. I also tried my install media for HP 800 G4/G5.
https://www.sevenforums.com/install...7060-possible-how-acpi-error.html#post3522380

recent post is here
Installing Windows 7 on a Dell Optiplex Micro 7060

the PC got freezing-up right when Windows logo appeared. key board/mouse locked.
looked like still an issue of graphics driver (UHD 630).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SIW2]

It is probably class 3 uefi ( no csm )
There is something here for dell 3671 .
https://www.dell.com/community/Vost...0-Windows-7-install-problem/m-p/7801886#M4576

 

[siliconbeaver]

I went back to review previous posts

GitHub - manatails/uefiseven: An EFI loader that emulates int10h interrupts needed for booting Windows 7 under UEFI Class 3 systems.


Update

no luck, this project is challenging.


my test summary

image restore
1. the install media linked by SIW2 (two tibx images). the Dell 7070 got freezing-up right when Windows logo appeared. key board/mouse locked.
however, when placed this OS SSD to HP 800, it boot and started fine (requested Windows 7 activation). This proved the install media(tibx image) no problem.

2. my HP 800 G4/G5 (Intel 8th/9th gen CPUs) OS image. restored it on Dell 7070. same problem, got freezing-up right when Windows logo appeared. key board/mouse locked.
I stopped here and decided to try clean-install under UEFI Class 3.


clean-install
my Win 7 installation media was made using SIW2's 7UPv64R.zip
presently, these are two solutions for UEFI Class 3 systems

1. Flashboot. I downloaded and integrated its bootx64.efi into my media. its install stopped when "Windows Start" then BSOD. the famous boot 00A5 error.

2. UefiSeven. I had installed this method. no problem.

   Tip

Windows 7 UEFI install without CSM | Page 4 | My Digital Life Forums

   Tip

however, this time, its install stuck at Windows logo. key board/mouse locked.


btw, Dell 7070 takes PS/2 kb/mouse. and I was using them. unfortunately it wouldn't help.

 

[siliconbeaver]

Summary/Update

If no new graphics technology on Windows 7, then Windows 7 cannot run on Dell OptiPlex 7070, the earliest version can run on OptiPlex 7070 is Windows 10, based on my various tests.

1. OptiPlex 7070 runs Windows 10/11 fine. no driver missing.
2. Install Windows 7 failed on OptiPlex 7070 (read previous posts). its symptom looked an issue of graphics driver.
3. Install Windows 8.1 passed on OptiPlex 7070. SDI could find most drivers (NIC, USB 3.xx, Cypress, Sunix, , ,) except graphics. A surprise to me.

it's well-known that Intel CPU i5-9500, its built-in graphics is UHD 630.
3.a My install of cannonkong graphics driver failed. usually it was working fine on 9th gen i5 CPU.
3.b SDI trial on Install UHD 630 graphics driver failed (read below table).
hence Windows 8.1 has to run with Microsoft basic display driver.


my curiosity was what Dell did on OptiPlex 7070 graphics,
my guess, the interaction below is kind of signature of Dell 7070 graphics.

Dell's web:

Affected OptiPlex Computers (No Video):

OptiPlex 7070

Cause

This is working as designed. The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) Graphics Output Protocol (GOP) requires the monitor to get the Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) data first. Once the data is received, it outputs video to the monitor.

 

[Geazaa]

I have a windows7 class 3 uefi ( no csm ) image that might help you, I made it into a .tib file.
Win7_Pure_UEFI.tib - Google Drive

 

[siliconbeaver]

Thanks,

Just tried tonight. It failed. When boot, crashed BSOD. The patched acpi.sys was applied.

This is the 3rd image I have tried using Acronis tool. Three copies were all claimed working on Dell PC. Last two were:

• Image Windows7 For Vostro 3671,3671
• Image Windows7 For Vostro 3888

The failure symptom looked similar, BSOD. According to various forums, Dell Vostro series seemed ok to run certain versions of Windows 7. But so far no success on Dell 7070 under UEFI Class 3. none.

Meanwhile, I have been trying various solutions in MDL, alternatively. But no any luck at this time.
a. vgashim.efi
b. bootmgr.efi, bootmgfw.efi memtest.efi from Windows 10.

I have a windows7 class 3 uefi ( no csm ) image that might help you, I made it into a .tib file.
Win7_Pure_UEFI.tib - Google Drive

 

[Geazaa]

1. Disable tpm
2. Disable secure boot
3. Disable Legacy mode for UEFI or enable Legacy mode for non-UEFI

Have you set it?

 

[torchwood]

Hi

might be a complete red herring, but have a look at this thread
Philip Yip is rather good

F6flpy-x64-Non-VMD.zip and F6flpy-x64-VMD.zip Removed - Intel Community