Solved boot device missing after new HD

[sverne]

I have a Lenovo G50 Win 8.1 with a failing HD, so I installed a new one. I am posting on the 7 Forum as I am trying to install Win7 on the new HD.


When I start-up, it checks the media and there is an error message of "default boot device missing or boot failed, Insert media recovery". It then goes to Boot Manager where EFI PXE Network is highlighted where I cannot use the arrows to change option. Then press enter and afterwards "EFI PXE Network O for IPV4 boot failed."



Bios is default with UEFI, secure boot enabled, PXE IPV4 1st enabled, etc. I tried the "Legacy Option", but then received "Realtek controller Series failure."


I know there is a problem with the Bios order, but I cannot find how to enable the USB media (or even DVD) to be read 1st. Is there anything that I missed on the BIOS?

Thank You


Update1: Switched to Legacy Support, and was able to see my new HD and also to switch to USB 1st.
Now I have a PXE-E61 (MOF) media test failure & check cable--still no boot!

 

[Megahertz07]

I have a Lenovo G50 Win 8.1 with a failing HD, so I installed a new one. I am posting on the 7 Forum as I am trying to install Win7 on the new HD.


When I start-up, it checks the media and there is an error message of "default boot device missing or boot failed, Insert media recovery". It then goes to Boot Manager where EFI PXE Network is highlighted where I cannot use the arrows to change option. Then press enter and afterwards "EFI PXE Network O for IPV4 boot failed."
As it didn't find any boot able disk, It is trying to boot from Network.


Bios is default with UEFI, secure boot enabled, PXE IPV4 1st enabled, (network boot) etc. I tried the "Legacy Option", but then received "Realtek controller Series failure."


I know there is a problem with the Bios order, but I cannot find how to enable the USB media (or even DVD) to be read 1st. Is there anything that I missed on the BIOS?

Thank You

Win 7 isn't compatible with Fast Boot and Secure boot. It must be disabled on BIOS.
What Win 7 installation disk you have? Is it on a DVD or flash disk?

During POST you must press F12 key to launch Boot menu then choose UEFI DVD, not legacy DVD and boot from it.

Setup Utility or the Boot Menu

Did you replace the failing HDD with a HDD or SSD?

 

[sverne]

With Legacy, I have more options and also see the HD and other drives, but with UEFI no. Swiched back to UEFI and disabled secure boot, and now after checking for media: default boot missing. As update above shows, with the Legacy error I receive PXE-E61 cable error. I can only launch BIOS from my onekey as I do not get into Windows.

I have Windows Home Premium both on USB abd DVD, which I believe is ISO as it was bootable before. My HD is HDD.
Thanks

 

[Paul Black]

Hi sverne,

As update above shows, with the Legacy error I receive PXE-E61 cable error. I can only launch BIOS from my onekey as I do not get into Windows.

Have you got AOMEI Backupper or AOMEI Partiton Assistant installed by any chance?

 

[Megahertz07]

Is there an OS type option? If so, set OS=other
Under CSM, what are the configuration options?

I have recently installed on a HP laptop a small (120G) SSD ((US$20) for windows and programs and replaced the CD / DVD drive with a HDD caddy to install the HDD. It has the speed of a SSD and the space of a HDD at low cost.

 

[sverne]

Hi sverne,



Have you got AOMEI Backupper or AOMEI Partiton Assistant installed by any chance?

No, but I don't think that would work without an OS as my new HDD is not formatted. I can swap my old HD 8.1 back still it still works but will it help my case?

 

[Paul Black]

Hi sverne,

No, but I don't think that would work without an OS as my new HDD is not formatted. I can swap my old HD 8.1 back still it still works but will it help my case?

OK.

It was just a thought because I seem to remember many many moons ago I had a similar problem because I had once had AOMEI installed even though I had uninstalled it!

 

[sverne]

Is there an OS type option? If so, set OS=other
Under CSM, what are the configuration options?

I have recently installed on a HP laptop a small (120G) SSD ((US$20) for windows and programs and replaced the CD / DVD drive with a HDD caddy to install the HDD. It has the speed of a SSD and the space of a HDD at low cost.

I don't see an OS option.
Configuration: wireless lan, SATA controller Mode--AHCI, power beep, Intel virtual tech, BIOS backflash, hotkeymode.

 

[sverne]

default setting

After setting BIOS to default, machine searches for media and displays the USB (with 7install); pressing enter and error "EFI USB has been blocked by the current security policy." Tried to disable secure boot but it did not help.
BTW, I still have the old working HDD if that is of any use in this situation.

 

[Megahertz07]

"EFI USB has been blocked by the current security policy." is because of secure boot.

Try this:
Update your BIOS to latest version.

On Exit Tab:

OS Optimized Defaults = Win7 OS

When finished, hit Load default settings (just right above it) then set these additional settings:


Security Tab:

Secure Boot = Disabled

Boot Tab:

Boot Mode = UEFI fist

Boot Priority = UEFI First

2. When finished, hit Fn+F10 to save and exit and boot from the Win7 USB installer and observe if you can now install Win7 in UEFI mode. During POST press F12 key to launch Boot menu then choose UEFI DVD, not legacy DVD and boot from it.

 

[sverne]

You are correct and the good news is that the 7cd started loading!!
But the bad news is that it is stuck in the starting windows page--after starting to load files-- (did not get to language yet), while the HD is spinning for 45 min.
Should I repower and try again?

 

[johnhoh]

BTW, I still have the old working HDD if that is of any use in this situation.

Why not just clone the old drive onto the new drive?

How to Upgrade Laptop Hard Drive to SSD without Reinstalling Windows - YouTube

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-2-5-...Drive+Adapter&qid=1554308943&s=gateway&sr=8-3

 

[Megahertz07]

You are correct and the good news is that the 7cd started loading!!
But the bad news is that it is stuck in the starting windows page--after starting to load files-- (did not get to language yet), while the HD is spinning for 45 min.
Should I repower and try again?

So you Boot the DVD as UEFI, right?
Were you able to get the DVD to the page where you select the disk?
Did you go to Advanced and deleted ALL partitions on the disk and then create new ?
As a UEFI - GPT it should create 3 partitions
- EFI - Fat32 - 100M
- MS reserved - RAW - 120M
- Big NTFS
Choose the big NTFS partition to install on.

Can you please explain the steps you did to get to the point
"But the bad news is that it is stuck in the starting windows page--after starting to load files-- (did not get to language yet), while the HD is spinning for 45 min."

 

[sverne]

So you Boot the DVD as UEFI, right?
Were you able to get the DVD to the page where you select the disk?
Did you go to Advanced and deleted ALL partitions on the disk and then create new ?
As a UEFI - GPT it should create 3 partitions
- EFI - Fat32 - 100M
- MS reserved - RAW - 120M
- Big NTFS
Choose the big NTFS partition to install on.

Can you please explain the steps you did to get to the point
"But the bad news is that it is stuck in the starting windows page--after starting to load files-- (did not get to language yet), while the HD is spinning for 45 min."

Thanks for hanging in there!

After default BIOS and disable security, 7 installation disk started loading files but got stuck at opening windows. Did not get to any options. I should also state there was a wide red bar across the top of the screen. I switched to Legacy and BSOD auto shutdown ensued. Searching this, it seems that my 8.1 motherboard does not support 7, is that possible?--from another site>>> (Windows 7 doesn't support the new UEFI GOP (Graphics Output Protocol) and requires VGA option ROM (BIOS interrupt 10 (INT 10H)). Win8/10 supports GOP and reads the UEFI Logo and displays it during boot for a smoother boot.)


I downloaded a 8.1 ISO but without USB/DVD tool. Is this a problem, as my understanding is it can download if I change the boot sequence. At this point I am back to Default boot device missing>>>EFI PXE Network (without any sign of the USB)>>>EFI network 0 for IPV6 boot failed.

 

[Megahertz07]

There are two ways to install Win 7 64 on a UEFI BIOS.
UEFI - GPT
Legacy - MBR

The settings I gave you was to install as UEFI - GPT
Security Tab:
Secure Boot = Disabled

Boot Tab:
Boot Mode = UEFI fist
Boot Priority = UEFI First

To install win 7 64 as UEFI, you must boot the DVD as UEFI. If you boot the installation disk as Legacy, you wont be able to install.

If you want to install as Legacy - MBR, you must change BIOS settings accordingly (Win 8 disk won't boot as it's UEFI GPT).

Legacy - MBR
The settings to install as Legacy - MBR
Security Tab:
Secure Boot = Disabled

Boot Tab:
Boot Mode = Legacy fist or Legacy only
Boot Priority = Legacy First or Legacy only.

To install as Legacy, you must boot the DVD as Legacy.

 

[Megahertz07]

If you're using the USB flash disk to install, it must be tweaked so it can boot as UEFI. Let me know, so I can guide you on how to make a UEFI win 7 installation USB flash disk.

 

[sverne]

Thanks for the clarity.
OK, back to installing dvd7 as 8 did nothing, but I am having the install freeze with a red band on the top screen. What does this mean?
I set BIOS as you outlined, including "optimize to other OS" at the exit tab.

 

[sverne]

Why not just clone the old drive onto the new drive?

How to Upgrade Laptop Hard Drive to SSD without Reinstalling Windows - YouTube

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-2-5-...Drive+Adapter&qid=1554308943&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Sorry for the delay, but trying to get the boot correct.
It seems plausible to clone my troubled HDD to a new one, and that way there is no incompatibility. The problem is that I do not have that special cable or SSD. I am thinking about making a mirror from either windows or macrium to my ecternal HD. The only thing I fear is that the external won't be recognized at boot time.

 

[johnhoh]

I do not have that special cable or SSD.

Yeah you gotta buy the cable to do this. But your drive does not need to be an SSD, it also is used for 2.5" spinning hard drives which sounds like what you have bought since it fits in your laptop. The only catch is you have to use the cable with a USB 3 port since USB 2 ports do not put out enough power. Your G50 should have one USB 3 port and two USB 2 ports.

The only thing I fear is that the external won't be recognized at boot time.

It won't, as Windows 7 is not designed to boot from an external (removeable) boot drive. However, here is a link that claims to make it possible. I have no experience with it and do not know if it works.
Create Windows 10/8/8.1/7 Bootable USB with AOMEI Partition Assistant

 

[sverne]

If you're using the USB flash disk to install, it must be tweaked so it can boot as UEFI. Let me know, so I can guide you on how to make a UEFI win 7 installation USB flash disk.

Gave up on the DVD7 as red band.frozen continued.


I followed the tutorials here to make a bootable 7ISO but the USB is not recognized in BIOS with UEFI, while BSOD with Legacy,
BUT..
bootable 8 ISO started to install correctly, but it could not go on as I do not have the product keys. This is a legitimate laptop that had 8.1 installed, and I think MSFT does not regard a re-intall as theft. I recall many years ago that they let you install and then validate online or by phone, which would be great for me.


I do not see the product key anywhere on the PC (under battery, part of the motherboard cover is off), and the product ID that one sees on "system" page is not the same.


Is there a way to get the code? I read about an ABR program (activation backup and restore) that can find the code, and as I can power up the old 8 HDD, it might be able to extract it? Then I swap back to the new HDD and will have to install the 8 OS as the code is for that a not a 7.


Any other ways?