How to install Windows 7 on Skylake Dell XPS 8910

tigpoppa · 23 Oct 2016

SIW2 said:

1) It is nvme. If the Dell pro install media works, it may be because it includes the MS nvme updates ( those are the exact updates I posted - the MS nvme driver is part of those).

After adding the drivers and packages and running win7 from the USB after clicking install now, it jumps to an error screen now with a popup. Normally it went through the I accept part before adding the drivers.

Possible error cause:
When adding packages in Dism it says that there is insufficient scratch space which would cause unexpected behavior would that cause this?

Possible Solution:
Would it be possible to load it from the dell ISO to see the drive, then swap the USB sticks for installation after formatting the drive?

SIW2 · 23 Oct 2016

"it jumps to an error screen now with a popup"

What error screen? What is the message?

"When adding packages in Dism it says that there is insufficient scratch space which would cause unexpected behavior would that cause this?"

If you are doing it from within pe scratch is only 512mb.

Soltion is to set scratch to a folder on hard drive. Juat make a folder called anything. e.g SCRATCH , then browse to it, using the button called "DISM SCRATCH"

"Possible Solution:
Would it be possible to load it from the dell ISO to see the drive, then swap the USB sticks for installation after formatting the drive? "

Worth a try.

tigpoppa · 23 Oct 2016

SIW2 said:

"it jumps to an error screen now with a popup"

What error screen? What is the message?

Prior to mounting the drivers and packages there is no error and I see the I accept screen when clicking install now though there is no drive there. After installing the drivers and packages there is no I accept screen after clicking install now it goes right to this error message.

*Even with scratch folder set correctly and no error on loading them the same error message appears.
What exactly should be added to each wim? Right now using the 2 zip files called skyupdates and skypackages which installs 6 drivers and 3 packages from this post: How to install Windows 7 on Skylake Dell XPS 8910

SIW2 · 23 Oct 2016

Did you try it using boot.wim from the Dell Pro iso ? That seems to be ok.

tigpoppa · 23 Oct 2016

SIW2 said:

Did you try it using boot.wim from the Dell Pro iso ? That seems to be ok.

this is weird, just tested a reboot with the SSD and HDD connected and it detected the SSD. Following that the HDD was removed leaving the SSD and it jumped to the error screen above. the SSD seems only detected when the HDD is also connected for some reason???

Now that can see the 5 partitions on the SSD deleted all 5 partitions into allocated space. Using the new command it created a MSR partition and another bigger one and install is commencing on the bigger partition. :)

Upon reboot during installation there is an error after bios load saying no bootable devices found. Not sure what to do here :P Prior to that it quickly says Checking drive, no media present, then it goes to this no bootable devices screen.

*Seems there is 10gb partition made previously on the HDD with the Win7Pro. Switching bios to legacy it rebooted ran a chkdsk then completed installation to the SSD installing win7 pro for some reason.
*After adding the win7 ult to that partition and removing win7pro the installation goes to the error above in the picture skipping the accept screen going to the error popup.
*adding the boot.wim then proceeding to install after clicking the windows 7 install button also took it to the same error pictured above

SIW2 · 23 Oct 2016

1).There is a driver missing from Ult - though it seems to be present in the Pro.

I can't know what it is unless you tell me the exact pro iso name and SHA1 hash.

2). "the SSD seems only detected when the HDD is also connected for some reason???".

Maybe something in bios boot menu needs changing, maybe that drive isn't detected as bootable.

Might help if you post a screenshot. Either of Disk management window, or use partititon wizard. It can take a screenie like this:

How to install Windows 7 on Skylake Dell XPS 8910-pw-screenie.jpg

tigpoppa · 23 Oct 2016

Link to official dell OEM Windows 7 pro ISO: Windows 7 recovery image download available with USB 3.1 and NVMe driver support | Dell US

Found this online Dell OEM Windows 7 ultimate ISO only difference is that it has 3.0 drivers on it: Update your browser to use Google Drive - Drive Help

*Windows 7 installed to the SSD as pro I think because windows 7 pro was still copied to a 10gb partition on the hdd when it was plugged in which explained why it saw the drive with the Windows 7 ultimate USB. For some reason though it installed win7 pro upon the reboot when completing setup.
*The Win7 ultimate only seems to install on the hdd for some reason. The Windows 7 pro will install onto the NVME and the HDD. Something is on the Win7Pro ISO it seems that is missing from the posted WIN7 ultimate even after trying to add the packages and drivers in DISM. Did notice when copying the boot.wim from the win7pro to the win7 ultimate that the win7Pro boot.wim was 10mb larger than what was on the Win7 ulimate boot.wim even after adding the files you posted.

Think we can find out why there is such a difference?

Megahertz07 · 23 Oct 2016

I'm not sure, but I read that to boot from M.2 you must be under UEFI.
I've have installed Win 7 64 on my M.2 drive, under UEFI, Safe boot disabled, CSM =UEFI and with all other drives detached. Once you get to where you put your name, launch Sysprep (Kari tutorial) and then attach your HDD.

SIW2 · 23 Oct 2016

The pic you posted indicates missing SATA drivers.

Driver downloads here for your model:
Product support for XPS 8910

tigpoppa · 23 Oct 2016

Megahertz07 said:

I'm not sure, but I read that to boot from M.2 you must be under UEFI.
I've have installed Win 7 64 on my M.2 drive, under UEFI, Safe boot disabled, CSM =UEFI and with all other drives detached. Once you get to where you put your name, launch Sysprep (Kari tutorial) and then attach your HDD.

This is the confusing part, all this new hardware doesnt help either that is new it seems to everyone.

Totally correct that to boot from .2. in UEFI it must be installed in UEFI. Also possible is booting from the M.2 in legacy which it is now but with win7pro, though the hdd does have win7ult on it. For whatever reason cant seem to install the ultimate version on the m.2 not sure why either in UEFI or legacy.

Is your win7 64 installation pro or ultimate or regular? Been working on trying to get ultimate installed. Should not be too much trouble then if it can be installed to set it up under proper UEFI. Whole problem seems to be getting it installed.

The dell Win7Pro seems to install fine on the M.2 any other version or iso seems to fail which isnt making any sense. not sure why it installs on the hdd and not the m.2 it cant even see the M.2 for some reason.