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#11
Let us know how it goes.
Let us know how it goes.
I'm confident I followed all the steps;
- The BIOS changes were made; fast boot was disabled (enables full USB scan), secure boot was disabled, and the Storage Devices was set to Both, UEFI First.
- In what I'm beginning to suspect is a problem, I noted the ASUS BIOS indicated that the SDD was still in a "frozen" state again. So I used the SSD secure erase utility to unlock and format the disk (this is said to be compatible with the Intel 530 drives).
- The UEFI install USB for Win7 was created successfully.
- I was able to trigger the BIOS boot menu and selected my UEFI USB Drive as the boot disk.
- Then I proceeded through the steps as described in the UEFI Windows 7 install directions.
It's at this point that things went wrong. I was able to successfully partition the drive, it created the 3 partitions as desired. I then stepped away for a moment and when I came back it had frozen; no keyboard or mouse response. So I tried again, but now it would simply freeze at the "Starting Windows" screen.
I then used the SSD erase utility again and followed all the steps again. This time I kept on it and proceeded right to the installation step, things looked like they were working until it froze again at 11% on the "Expanding Windows" step. If it weren't for the kids being around I would have used some choice words.
I seem unable to locate a utility for diagnosing Intel SSD's that can be booted from CD or USB. If you happen to know of any I'd be grateful for the link. So I'm going to try the utilities on Ultimate Boot CD and another based on HIREM-based Boot CD. I've also found a Linux based Intel Processor diagnostic that I'm going to try as well.
I just can't believe how much this thing is fighting me.
Addendum
On thing to add that I just noticed while looking in the BIOS; I have Secure Boot set to "Other OS", but the Secure Boot State still says Enabled. I'm not sure how or if I can disable this, nor whether this is even the source of the headache.
Last edited by Extra Fox; 08 Sep 2014 at 21:42.
You'll need to Disable Secure boot.
I would contact the SSD maker under the one-year tech support and replacement warranty which comes with all hardware purchases. Have them help you test the SSD and if necessary replace it.
You can also try install now to a HDD to see if that helps narrow it to the SSD so you have that confidence.
I'll see what I can find as far as disabling that goes. So far I've come up empty, but it does seem like that should be an option.
It's a new Intel Drive so I can send it into them. It's literally never had anything installed on it because I've not been able to get the system running well enough.
I've tried with an older Velociraptor I have laying around previously without much luck, but it's worth another shot following the steps you gave me here. I'll give that a shot tomorrow evening.
Still don't know how to disable secure boot yet, but I'm working on it.
However, I tried the same install using an HDD and the system froze again. So it appears the freezing isn't a product of the drive as much as the system.
...Unless of course the HDD has faults which would be consistent with my phenomenally bad luck.
Did you disable Secure Boot as Win7 will not install when its enabled at all.
Have you tried installing in Legacy mode by booting the media as a non-UEFI device? You'll need to delete all partitions again to allow it to format the HD MBR. If this fails run the Diskpart commands from Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7 adding the command to "Convert MBR"
All CSM settings must of course be in either both UEFI and Legacy or only Legacy. I would keep them set to only Legacy.
Have you ensured that there is no UEFI firmware update for your BIOS?
I'm told from folks over at the Asus ROG forums that when CSM is enabled and Other OS is selected that this means Secure Boot is disabled. I'm a little dubious of this only because if that's the case then why does it still indicate that Secure Boot is enabled? That seems like a fairly big oversight on the part of the developer.
No, I haven't had a chance to try this yet, but it's next. I'm pretty spent tonight as domestic duties occupied a lot more time than anticipated, but I'll give it a shot tomorrow night.
I can try this as well.
I just checked again and I do have the latest firmware for the BIOS. It's the 1505 version they released on 2014.7.24. I even applied it a second time early on thinking maybe it didn't work right, but that didn't have any effect.
On a personal note, Gregrocker, I am sincerely grateful for your help and guidance on this.
I am glad that you are getting closer to the fix. :)
We're glad to help. Let us know how it goes.
There will be a bit of a delay before my next update, but I will provide an update.