does W7 hate UEFI - cannot install - help please

[MuppetandChums]

Life was so so easy in the days of Bios.

Brand new build trying to install Windows 7 x64 on a new Samsung EVO SSD on a ASRock z97 Extreme 6 board with P2.30 firmware (latest) and 16Gb Ram.

Media

1 x Full Retail W7 x64 DVD
1 x OEM W7 x64 DVD

1 x Full Retail W7 x64 .iso
1 x OEM W7 x64 .iso

I have checked both CoAs with pidgen.exe V1.1.3.590 and they are kosher (OEM & Retail) and not blacklisted by MS.

USB stick bootable using Rufus 2.2 with .iso above installed and modified files in W7 'sources' folder as below.

1. Tried the firmware with CSM switched off and switched on. Makes no difference (I think).
2. Configured install from USB stick to be GPT not MBR.
3. Configured install from USB stick to be USB FAT32
4. Configured install from USB stick to be UEFI NTFS

Everything stops at install routine both DVD and USB stick ' accept Licence Terms and Conditions'. Mouse and Keyboard become unresponsive cannot progress install. Keyboard wired, mouse wireless. Not even 'Alt + a ' works.

I have inserted a PID.txt for with the CoA into the install 'sources' folder to smooth the path. Doesn't seen to work.

I have inserted a ei.cfg file 'reporting' the licence type into the install 'sources' folder to smooth the path. Doesn't seen to work.

I'm missing something here.
( no the answer is not W8 or 8.1)

Am I trying a mixed Bios and UEFI install in a UEFI world ?

Thanks for reading.

 

[Arc]

Most probably it is not windows 7 itself but the MBR partition table that is used by windows 7 by default. If the discs are formatted as GPT, UEFI is not a problem with windows 7.

You can do two alternative things.

First, boot into the BIOS, set it to Legacy BIOS. Search throughout the BIOS, wherever it is UEFI, set it to Legacy. Then try installing windows 7. It should work.

Second, convert your discs to GPT discs.
You can do in in two ways, destructive and non-destructive.

• If you follow the traditional method to convert a MBR disc to a GPT one, that is the tutorial http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26193-convert-mbr-disk-gpt-disk.html, it will delete everything on the discs. So if you want to follow this way, back up your files externally.
• The same thing can be done without lossing the data. Read here: How to Convert MBR to GPT without Data Loss in Windows 7?.

When the disc is converted to GPT, it is ready for UEFI. Make a UEFI bootable pendrive using Rufus and install windows flawlessly.

 

[MuppetandChums]

Thanks but....

My SSD has never been used or formatted.
I have no Bios its a UEFI.
I cannot convert the new SSD for the OS to GPT unless I run something from a bootable USB drive. But why would I want to do this surely an install process addresses this ?
I tried making a FAT32 partition for a MBR on Partion 1 on the USB drive for a UEFI install. No Go.

I do not have a Legacy Bios option. I have a Compatibility Support Mode but I think that's just for W8.

All of a sudden Ubuntu looks so so attractive.

 

[Arc]

Thanks but....

My SSD has never been used or formatted.
I have no Bios its a UEFI.

Well and good. Follow this guide exactly .... Rufus will make a UEFI bootable disc perfectly.

UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows
​

I personally have tried it a few times in essentially identical condition as you are stating, it always worked.

 

[gregrocker]

Then once you format the stick using only Option One in tutorial provided in post above, comparing the picture after loading the ISO to make sure settings did not jump around, you must boot the stick as a UEFI device only.

If this fails report back any settings in BIOS setup checking all tabs for UEFI, EFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS, Secure Boot and BIOS Boot priority order.

 

[MuppetandChums]

How depressing. Ubuntu 14.04 ..an OS not renowned for drivers and interoperability. Downloaded, installed & configured in under 15 minutes on the same HW. If it was not for Adobe products I'd be away from Windows forever.

 

[gregrocker]

When you're ready to continue troubleshooting let us know. These issues are always solved here when there is close cooperation.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I had no problems installing Win 7 in UEFI on a MBR formatted SSD directly from the CD. You don't absolutely need GPT unless a HDD is larger than 2.2TB. See here.

 

[gregrocker]

But you need GPT format to install to UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums. See Steps 6-8.

This can normally be reset to the installer's satisfaction by just deleting all partitions to create and format New.

Can we see a screenshot of your Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Here 'tis::

 

[gregrocker]

Hi Jeannie

Disk management shows no evidence of a UEFI install or system. So if yours is EFI then it must be set to CSM or Legacy BIOS. In some minimal BIOS this will only be determined by whether the installation media is booted as a UEFI or Legacy Device.

When UEFI was in its infancy we often needed to encourage users to install to legacy if there was no firmware update that enables a UEFI install of Windows 7. However gradually the manufacturers caught up and now this has not been necessary in about a years time. So I recommend in most cases doing a UEFI install to experience the full features of the new generation of BIOS.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I pretty sure my MOBO (ASUS P9X79 WS) doesn't have a legacy BIOS option. I do not recall one and, when digging through my manual (yeah, I kept it and actually read it), it says nothing about a legacy BIOS option.

 

[genet]

If you have an old Asus motherboard, then there are no CSM and Secure Boot settings and then you won't be able to install Windows 7/8/10 in UEFI boot mode.



The Asus motherboard CSM and Secure Boot settings. -> link

Here is info about UEFI Boot Mode (installing using the GPT partition style) and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (installing using the MBR partition style): link

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Then how on earth was I able to install Win 7 on a MOBO that doesn't have a legacy BIOS, just UEFI BIOS?

 

[Arc]

Then how on earth was I able to install Win 7 on a MOBO that doesn't have a legacy BIOS, just UEFI BIOS?

That is possible only when there is legacy boot option for ODD/USB; and windows is installed using that legacy option.

If it is UEFI only, then the partition table should have three hidden partitions of total 528 MB as displayed by genet.

Some UEFI boards (may be all, I am not that much aware of it) offer this option, which installs an earlier OS keeping UEFI aside. If the installer is booted normally, it results the situation that you explained in your post #10, the installer formats the HDD/SSD as MBR. Here UEFI is useless.

If you want to use UEFI, you have to boot the installer as UEFI, using the boot menu key. Then the installer formats the HDD/SSD as GPT.

I should not tell you, you definitely know it, that the Legacy BIOS is not a single option to opt for, but a combination of various options in the advanced settings in the UEFI/BIOS.

 

[gregrocker]

Then how on earth was I able to install Win 7 on a MOBO that doesn't have a legacy BIOS, just UEFI BIOS?

In some minimal BIOS this will only be determined by whether the installation media is booted as a UEFI or Legacy Device.

It may come down to the selection of Legacy DVD or flash stick for install.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I'm still confused; there is absolutely no mention of "legacy" of any kind in my manual or in the UEFI BIOS. My installation works and I'm a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kind of girl.

 

[Arc]

Your installation is fine, no fixing is needed.

But if you want to give UEFI a go, then that would be a good try. Though it will not cause a big difference with windows 7.

 

[gregrocker]

Can we see pics all of your BIOS' tabs? This often settles it since some UEFI related settings are masked or unclear.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Can we see pics all of your BIOS' tabs? This often settles it since some UEFI related settings are masked or unclear.

I would rather not. My computer is recording movies right now. I don't really have time today, anyway, because I have to prepare for a 10-12 hour power outage tomorrow and the temperature is going to be at least 110°F. You would think, in a megalopolis like the Phoenix area, dry ice would be easy to find. I can remember when every grocery store had it.

You can download the manual here.