MBR error on reinstalling Win7 to clean HD

Hi, Greg,
1st, other drive is unplugged.

2nd, do not know how to re-do my stick. Option 1 requires that I download a file from internet (not installed) and save to desktop (not installed; no OS). Hoping we can just use the bootable I already have and hope it's good.

3rd, I do not prefer UEFI. In fact, I'd lose it in a heartbeat if I knew how to. I'm just guessing at every point what's the right thing to do. I did not know that I had options.

4th, I'm on the line now with ASUS to get what you need RE UEFI, CSM (Compatibility Mode), Legacy BIOS or Legacy Boot settings. I'm assuming they will know what screens you need. Back as soon as can.

Again, thank you.

Be sure to check if there's a BIOS update which might have what you need.

If your under 1 year warranty they may help you flash the BIOS and make the necessary adjustments. I wonder if they only support UEFI install. At least try to find out how to set to Legacy BIOS.

How did you create the stick exactly? The method I've found that works best is Option One.

So, according to Gary, if I change the PCI ROM Priority to EFI Compatible ROM, I can proceed to try the install?

You can try but it would be better to see the choices available on your Advanced BIOS tab and any other related settings elsewhere. If you already checked then please report back what is there so I don't have to keep asking.

Gary said he has the same board and that there are no CSM settings he sees. But he may have a different BIOS version so that also needs to be answered.

Why are the email notifications different than what is posted here? The email states "You can try but it would be better to see the choices available on your Advanced BIOS tab. If you already checked then please report back what is there so I don't have to keep asking. This is annoying. I will stop helping you if every single one of the questions and steps I give you are not responded to henceforth because it is impossible to troubleshoot these issues without utter thoroughness and not skipping around." But I do not see such a message here that I can respond to. Anyway, ASUS says my firmware is up-to-date.

And you're right, this is annoying because I don't know what to do! I can set the boot priority to Legacy, as you say, or to EFI compatible, as Gary says. And I created the stick from the instructions you sent me in April. What next?

OK, changed the boot priority from Legacy to EFI Compatible and got the same error message about the MBR partition. How screwed am I?

I edited my post. Instead of quoting the original why don't you actually provide the settings I've been asking for repeatedly?

I've always found Legacy BIOS setting but I can't see the choices

You took a picture before then dropped the ball ignoring very specific questions and settings I needed you to find. Take pictures of all if necessary.

Greg, I'm doing the best I can. There are no "settings" that I can see. Gary has the exact same BIOS screens that I have. Maybe he can tell me more precisely what I need to send to you???

Where are the answers to these questions I spent time writing out. Do you think skipping around to answer one or two and ignoring all the rest is the kind if thoroughness that will solve a problem like this? Why am I having to ask again? If you need help with a question just ask but this is getting ridiculous trying to pump you for info!

gregrocker said:

It looks like the stick is set first to boot in BIOS setup. For UEFI the Windows Boot Manager needs to be set first to boot. For Legacy the target Hard drive. Let us see the choices when you choose Boot Option 1 to change it. It may be worded differently for your model.

All other hard drives should be unplugged during install.

Then trigger the stick to boot using the one-time BIOS Boot menu key to prevent it from autostarting during the install reboots. If it still restarts the install anyway, unplug it at first reboot.

We still cannot see the UEFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS or other related settings which are normally on the Advanced BIOS tab. Can you scour the BIOS for these and post back pictures showing all available choices for each? Click on each setting to read the explanation text to the right on most BIOS'. If not read the Manual on the mobo's Support Downloads webpage.

WHile on the Mobo's Support downloads webpage check for a new BIOS firmware update. THis is critical for UEFI installs because its such crapware that it needs continual patching.

What other choices for Setup Mode are available?

Were you in Advanced Boot Tab when pic was taken? If not that's what is needed.

Greg, I hope these answers are what you are needing. My responses are UPPERCASE.

It looks like the stick is set first to boot in BIOS setup. For UEFI the Windows Boot Manager needs to be set first to boot. For Legacy the target Hard drive. Let us see the choices when you choose Boot Option 1 to change it. It may be worded differently for your model. SEE ATTACHMENT

All other hard drives should be unplugged during install. DONE

Then trigger the stick to boot using the one-time BIOS Boot menu key to prevent it from autostarting during the install reboots. If it still restarts the install anyway, unplug it at first reboot. I JUST UNPLUGGED IT.

We still cannot see the UEFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS or other related settings which are normally on the Advanced BIOS tab. Can you scour the BIOS for these and post back pictures showing all available choices for each? Click on each setting to read the explanation text to the right on most BIOS'. If not read the Manual on the mobo's Support Downloads webpage. CANNOT FIND ANY "SETTINGS" FOR THESE OPTIONS. AGAIN, PERHAPS GARY CAN HELP(?)

WHile on the Mobo's Support downloads webpage check for a new BIOS firmware update. THis is critical for UEFI installs because its such crapware that it needs continual patching. CONFIRMED WITH ASUS THAT FIRMWARE IS CURRENT.

What other choices for Setup Mode are available? ADVANCED MODE or EZ MODE (default setting is Advanced)

Were you in Advanced Boot Tab when pic was taken? If not that's what is needed. YES, I WAS IN ADVANCED MODE.