Failing to install Windows7 on Z390 mobo

Hello everyone,

I have been trying to install Windows7 on my secondary SSD but I'm having issues.

Until 2 days ago, my motherboard was a Asus Prime z370-A and I had no problems installing and using Windows7 as second OS (my main OS is Windows10)

I then had to change motherboard because the z370 had issues and I bought a z390. Now i can not seem to be able to install Windows7 anymore.

If I try to install Win7 on my 2nd empty SSD (properly formatted using Diskgenius) from Win10 emulating a disk, I receive this error (it was always working before i changed mobo):

Screenshot by Lightshot

If i try installing Windows7 using a USB boot pendrive, the installer will not launch. The bios does detect the pendrive, but it will ignore it even though it's set as primary boot.

Do you have any idea how to fix this?

I understand the z390 does not support Win7, but the worst case scenario would be not having certain drivers. I should still be able to install Win7.

Thanks!!

Hello.

Yes, I did install Win7 on the z370 from Win10 by emulating a disk with the iso mounted.

I'm trying to do the same thing on the z390 now but failing.

Here's the error i receive when i try to install it from Windows 10
https://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...1&d=1557604171

I tried disabling Fastboot and safe boot but it did not help.

The easiest way to transition a boot drive from a z370 board to a z390 board is change the disk controller driver to the generic "standard ahci 1.1 driver" while still using the z370 board, then just swap boards. Windows will boot on the new board but will not be able to use the usb ports natively, as you probably know already since it is also true of z370

If that ship has sailed and you have no choice but to do a fresh install you are correct, win7 should at least install on the board. Have you disabled secureboot in bios and also enabled CSM in bios?

Please don't use external links. Use the paper clip, browse to the file on your computer - upload.

johnhoh said:

The easiest way to transition a boot drive from a z370 board to a z390 board is change the disk controller driver to the generic "standard ahci 1.1 driver" while still using the z370 board, then just swap boards. Windows will boot on the new board but will not be able to use the usb ports natively, as you probably know already since it is also true of z370

If that ship has sailed and you have no choice but to do a fresh install you are correct, win7 should at least install on the board. Have you disabled secureboot in bios and also enabled CSM in bios?

Thank you a lot!

I enabled CSM and now the Windows installation starts up.

I'm going to need to get a PS2 mouse now so that i can start the installation and hopefully once Windows is installed i'll be able to install the USB3 drivers that i found.

InterFC said:

I'm going to need to get a PS2 mouse now so that i can start the installation and hopefully once Windows is installed i'll be able to install the USB3 drivers that i found.

The section in the below link titled:
Windows 7 USB Driver Install 2.2: Set Drivers To Install at Boot

details how to get your usb drivers to install at boot without having to buy a ps/2 keyboard. Its a ryzen thread but the procedure still applies.

How To Get Ryzen Working on Windows 7 x64

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Here is the best thread I've seen discussing getting a z370+coffee lake machine running fully with win7, except for the IGP which I assume you are not needing. Should also work for Z390.

How to install Windows 7 on Coffee Lake PC (Z370 chipset MB - Asus Maximus X Hero) - Overclock.net - An Overclocking Community

Hello,

Thank you a lot for your help

I managed to find a old PS2 mouse so i connected it and it worked

But now when I try to go ahead with the installation, I receive this message:

https://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...1a64c4f5f4.jpg

Do you know which driver is it?

(I'm trying to install windows with a USB pendrive)

Thank you a lot

I followed a guide to inject the USB driver into the pendrive, but i still get the same error :/

this is why I was saying its easiest to just swap out the hard drive and boot from it on the new motherboard, or clone it. Nevertheless...

You are trying to install win7 using a usb3 port but do not have a usb3 driver. Here is the fix:
(Solved) How to Fix "A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing" Error - Tech Support All