Boot Issue BIOS-WindowsBootManager-System Recovery problem

[Brogan]

Hi, I have a brand new Win7 64bit build with a clean install from an Upgrade CD and noticed in BIOS that my 1st boot device must be "Windows Boot Manager" or it asks for the CD.

I only have 1 storage device (SSD) in the system and when I look under Disk Management in windows, it shows a 100MB "EFI System Partition" in addition to the primary partition (which is labeled "Boot, Crash Dump, and Primary Partition" - so it seems to have the boot files on it).

My components are:
Intel i5 3570K
Gigabyte Z77-DS3H mainboard
16GB Crucial Ballistix
Intel 520 180GB SSD
LG BD optical drive
GTX 560ti

As I only have the one non-optical storage device I did not set any partition parameters at install. I Attempted to do a Startup Repair with the windows disc to maybe try and delete the EFI partition and got the "... System Recovery Options is incompatible with the version you are trying to repair" error. Not sure what that is.

If Disk Management shows a healthy partition with "Boot" listed as being contained, why can I not select the SSD as boot device #1? I can boot perfectly fine with the Windows Boot Manager listed as boot device #1 and the SSD as #2, however it's not ideal.

Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

I would reinstall to an MBR disk after removing EFI Boot Disk from BIOS Boot order.

Set DVD drive first to boot, boot into DVD Command Line to run Diskpart Clean Command followed by the command "Convert MBR" and "Exit".

Then install Win7 following these same steps for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

This will avoid problem with having a GPT formatted disk installed with EFI boot which is not needed except in the rarest cases.

 

[Saltgrass]

A UEFI install requires the EFI partition. Since the boot is started in the bios, the Windows boot manager is the correct boot device. You can't pick the SSD because it will not even have an active partition on it.

If you need to repair a UEFI system, during the boot, use the boot device F key (possibly F8 during the splash screen) or go into the bios, and boot to the UEFI version of the Install DVD. You will not get the incompatible system message.

 

[Brogan]

A UEFI install requires the EFI partition. Since the boot is started in the bios, the Windows boot manager is the correct boot device. You can't pick the SSD because it will not even have an active partition on it.

If you need to repair a UEFI system, during the boot, use the boot device F key (possibly F8 during the splash screen) or go into the bios, and boot to the UEFI version of the Install DVD. You will not get the incompatible system message.

Ok now I'm a bit confused. This is my first SSD installation. Are you saying because I have an SSD (and no other storage drive) that the 100mb EFI partition is required for boot, and that windows set it up correctly?

Like I said above, it boots up perfectly fine. I just am not sure if it's set up correctly but maybe that's because I've never had an SSD before.

Edit: And after checking, Yes, if I hit F12 and boot from UEFI BDRom it allows me to repair install via System Recovery Options without any incompatibility errors. Question now is do I need to?

 

[Saltgrass]

Don't confuse the Windows 7 System Reserved partition, which a Windows 7 install may or may not add, with the EFI partition added in a UEFI install. The EFI partition is necessary for a UEFI install, but the System Reserved is not.

No repair is necessary if your system is running fine.

The fact you are using an SSD is not really relevant. It also happens with normal SATA drives.

 

[Brogan]

OK, so do you think I should try to repair it? I'm still unsure why the Windows install arbitrarily decided to set it up this way, as I've installed Windows quite a few times in the past to HDD's.

My only real concerns are system stability and whether this will effect performance (the computer's basically a gaming machine).

 

[Saltgrass]

If you question is to me, I see no need for a repair.

It set it up that way bacause the install was started from a UEFI version of the Install DVD. Different Bioses handle booting different ways. Some will default to the non-UEFI and some will not.

I have been running UEFI for a couple of years. It is the new technology and works just fine.

But, your system, your decision...

 

[Brogan]

I'm more than willing to continue with it as is, like I said it works fine as far as can tell.

I guess my concern is based on my lack of understanding of exactly what a UEFI boot version is intended for and how it works with/affects my particular system.

 

[gregrocker]

UEFI/EFI enables installing to a GPT disk which allows unlimited primary partitions.

Windows and GPT FAQ

GPT vs MBR Disk Comparison

 

[Brogan]

UEFI/EFI enables installing to a GPT disk which allows unlimited primary partitions.

Windows and GPT FAQ

GPT vs MBR Disk Comparison

I see, so it's part of the new technologies being used with the newer, >1TB drives.

So considering I have only 1 drive, 180GB, and I have no desire to set any partitions, let alone unlimited partitions, I clearly do not need this boot up partition.

Is that correct?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, follow the steps in post 2.http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[Brogan]

Does it matter that I have SP1 now? My windows CD is retail.

 

[gregrocker]

You can get the latest official installer in Steps 1 and 2 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
which steps are also best for retail.

 

[Saltgrass]

Brogan, just one more thing. The UEFI boot system has no effect of the gaming capabilities of your system...

 

[Brogan]

Ok, that didn't work.

I followed the steps exactly. I formatted the partition, rebooted, and started install. But Windows will not let me install to my SSD because it says it has an MBR partition table on it.

In that link you gave it says "if you do not want the 100MB System Reserved partition And only the C: partition on a HDD or SDD, then select a formatted partition or drive."

But I can't do that since it won't install to my formatted partition.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you remove EFI Boot Disk from BIOS setup Boot order? It should have DVD drive first, then HDD.

I would reinstall to an MBR disk after removing EFI Boot Disk from BIOS Boot order.

Set DVD drive first to boot, boot into DVD Command Line to run Diskpart Clean Command followed by the command "Convert MBR" and "Exit".

Then install Win7 following these same steps for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

This will avoid problem with having a GPT formatted disk installed with EFI boot which is not needed except in the rarest cases.

There is no problem with the 100mb System Reserved partition created by the installer so I would just close the Command Box after cleaning and converting, click Install Now, then on the Drive Selection Screen click Next to let installer create and format your partition for you.

 

[Brogan]

I think the problem I had was when I booted from the disc drive, it would give me the compatibility error, and I couldn't get to the command prompt. But I guess I needed to read up a bit more because I just figured out how to format the volume in GPT mode and went from there. Installed fine without any "Windows cannot install to this..." errors and no system reserve partition.

From what I read the GPT format is a bit more secure than the older MBR, and even though I don't plan on adding more partitions, it's good to know I can.

 

[gregrocker]

There are other ways to get to the Command Prompt: System Recovery Options.

So you decided not to install in MBR mode? Seems you had left EFI Boot Disk first in BIOS setup if it installed to GPT disk in EFI mode. It might help others if you confirm whether you had ever followed that step.

 

[Brogan]

Hmm.. I'm trying to understand what you mean but "removing EFI boot disc from the boot order". Maybe the Z77 bios I have automatically selects that without a bootable drive present, I'm not sure, but the only way I could "remove" it was to get the SSD set up for installation and reboot. And since I did not want the 100mb partition, I tried multiple ways to prepare the drive for install.

perhaps because my install disc is an upgrade version but I was using it like a full version, the only way i could get windows to install (without errors) was to a GPT format. So like I said, I read up on the differences (the links you posted) to make sure there were no other issues, and crossed my fingers.

Anyway, there is no EFI boot disk in BIOS now, only the SSD and the optical drive. Which is what I initially wanted.

Thanks for the help Greg.

 

[gregrocker]

Maybe you should have asked if you weren't certain since it was listed as the very first and most important step.

Every BIOS has a boot order listing which allows you to choose which order to boot devices. EFI BIOS have a listing for something like EFI Boot Disk which must be removed from priority to install to an MBR disk.

You BIOS may be different which is what I would have replied had you brought this up before you gave up on MBR install. If so read your Manual on the BIOS or Computer's Support Downloads webpage.