Solved Enabling UEFI

[ICIT2LOL]

It's still pretty new but with BIOS' going EFI and more 2+TB storage it's likely the coming wave:
GPT vs MBR Disk Comparison

Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk - Windows 7 Forums
Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk - Windows 7 Forums

Thanks Greg you're champ that explains a fair bit to me at least.

So do you think as I am never going to use anything near 2TB on this machine - my old Intel board with UEFI boot ability that it would be better for me to convert my current set up to a GPT drive set up in order to try the UEFI out?

That would make sense to an old codger like myself. Am currently using an M4 as my main boot drive and an oldish 80GB for a dumping ground for the Users and temp files when I finish up this reinstall.

 

[HammerHead]

Bios Boot Settings

AMI Bios

Bios boot choices:
UEFI/Legacy ---- Enabled
UEFI ---- Disabled
Legacy ---- Disabled

I am running UEFI/Legacy ----- Enabled

There is a setting for PC Rom Priorty

Choices are Legacy Rom or UEFI compatiable Rom. Mine is set at Legacy Rom. If there are any ill effects I am oblivous to them.

I can enter the legacy rom at boot with a key stroke I haven't tried it yet.

 

[gregrocker]

Looks like you are using Legacy choice to install normally to MBR disk, Hammerhead.

I do not see any reason to use a GPT disk unless it's more than 2tb, or install Win7 on any other than an MBR disk otherwise - thus avoiding EFI mode until it becomes more common and navigable for repairs.

If one needs more than four Primary partitions convert one to Logical to add as many extra as you want. Video help on how to set partition as Primary or Logical.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Looks like you are using Legacy choice to install normally to MBR disk, Hammerhead.

I do not see any reason to use a GPT disk unless it's more than 2tb, or install Win7 on any other than an MBR disk otherwise - thus avoiding EFI mode until it becomes more common and navigable for repairs.

Sort of answers my query too Greg - thanks will stick with the old BIOS until I get my next board then.

 

[HammerHead]

You used an MBR disk and not a GPT one, right? You can check by clicking the panel to the left of the disk map. That's the format to which I was referring.

Was EFI Boot Disk set first to boot in BIOS?

What other settings did your BIOS have for EFI, if any?


UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

You really got my curiosty going. Yes my boot disk is MBR. I checked it. That was the only disk connected when I loaded Win. So it was set to boot first. Second choice was the rom deck. I then began to connect my other disks. I post some bios choices in another post before I read this.

 

[Britton30]

You used an MBR disk and not a GPT one, right? You can check by clicking the panel to the left of the disk map. That's the format to which I was referring.

Where does one click Greg? I clicked all items and the empty area and I don't see where it says what type disk I have although I know it is a MBR.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hum went to check myself out of curiosity and got this and have no idea what it is about the ref to help is like trying to find a needle in a proverbial.

Have two drives in a Samsung 830 main boot and a Seagate for the Users and temp / data files.

However haven't used the Seagate yet as I have only just reinstalled for the sixth time for reasons that are far too long to go into here on the 830.

 

[Britton30]

Check to be sure you didn't uncheck VDS in msconfig.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Check to be sure you didn't uncheck VDS in msconfig.

Thanks Gary I had in my "adjustments" this morning - all good again

 

[gregrocker]

You used an MBR disk and not a GPT one, right? You can check by clicking the panel to the left of the disk map. That's the format to which I was referring.

Where does one click Greg? I clicked all items and the empty area and I don't see where it says what type disk I have although I know it is a MBR.

Rightclick on Disk # on Drive Map as shown below, choose Properties> Volume tab.

click to enlarge

 

[ICIT2LOL]

You used an MBR disk and not a GPT one, right? You can check by clicking the panel to the left of the disk map. That's the format to which I was referring.

Where does one click Greg? I clicked all items and the empty area and I don't see where it says what type disk I have although I know it is a MBR.

Rightclick on Disk # on Drive Map as shown below, choose Properties> Volume tab.

View attachment 212016click to enlarge

Hum neat Greg this would have been good about two hours ago when I was still indoors. Trouble is my darn main machine has crashed again - am beginning t wonder if there something wrong with the Samsung.

 

[Britton30]

Where does one click Greg? I clicked all items and the empty area and I don't see where it says what type disk I have although I know it is a MBR.

Rightclick on Disk # on Drive Map as shown below, choose Properties> Volume tab.

View attachment 212016click to enlarge

Hum neat Greg this would have been good about two hours ago when I was still indoors. Trouble is my darn main machine has crashed again - am beginning t wonder if there something wrong with the Samsung.

Thanks Greg!
John, maybe you have a bad board? How did it crash?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Rightclick on Disk # on Drive Map as shown below, choose Properties> Volume tab.

View attachment 212016click to enlarge

Hum neat Greg this would have been good about two hours ago when I was still indoors. Trouble is my darn main machine has crashed again - am beginning t wonder if there something wrong with the Samsung.

Thanks Greg!
John, maybe you have a bad board? How did it crash?
View attachment 212057

Don't know exaactly mate it just dropped it's bundle. There was something about an eror in the catalyst centre and my mail and IE screens were really quite odd.

So another 6 hours of reinstall motherlaod of updates including SP1 which the OEM didn't come with and security etc I am back at square one with the screen sizing 22.5" on a 24" monitor

Well I guess I shall just have to wear it unless somehting dramatic happens with the GPU disk and or monitor disk getting it right and to be honest the problems just lately with this machine have come about since slipping in the SSD/s.

 

[gregrocker]

I would uninstall the Catalyst bloatware unless you overclock for it is not needed and can cause problems.

Do you have any drivers in optional Updates. Set it to Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware.

You've probably already checked all screen resolutions and tried all Display drivers for Vista and Win7. You can go back and check all those installed so far at Device Manager>Display>Driver>Update Driver>Browse>Let Me Pick. I'd try every resolution on each of those.

In your BIOS are there display settings? Try each of them.

I'm sorry I don't have time to re-read the thread again but I'm in between errands with a dozen open cases. Will catch up later tonight. Hopefully this gives you something more to work with.

If not work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 to comb the logs for repeat errors, use System Resources, establish a Clean Boot, etc.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I would uninstall the Catalyst bloatware unless you overclock for it is not needed and can cause problems.

Do you have any drivers in optional Updates. Set it to Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware.

You've probably already checked all screen resolutions and tried all Display drivers for Vista and Win7. You can go back and check all those installed so far at Device Manager>Display>Driver>Update Driver>Browse>Let Me Pick. I'd try every resolution on each of those.

In your BIOS are there display settings? Try each of them.

I'm sorry I don't have time to re-read the thread again but I'm in between errands with a dozen open cases. Will catch up later tonight. Hopefully this gives you something more to work with.

If not work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 to comb the logs for repeat errors, use System Resources, establish a Clean Boot, etc.

Ok I'll scan for updates on the drivers because the GPU disk loaded the catalyst centre only not the one that you can rescale with as now the darn thing is way off the screen edges. Trouble is the last time I tried to uninstall the catalyst stuf it wouldn't let me do it.

I might even take out the GPU as it is only a silent one and I only put it in as the board HDMI has never worked and see if I can get that to work somehow failing that I'll have to go DVI if it will work I suppose much of a muchness in the end

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well I have found a solution but not the one I would have liked - have connected the GPU via DVI instead of HDMI the res is now at the Benq 1920x1080 I had before and using the GPU as the mobo sockets - none would work.

I suppose it would take such precise vision to notice any difference really and certainly not worth the hassle this machine has delivered just lately. But darn annoying all the same, and put a dent in my faith in Gigabyte boards too.

Thanks to all who chipped in with advice - really appreciated it.

 

[gregrocker]

Uncheck everything in msconfig>Startup and msconfig>Services (after hiding all MS Services) except your AV to shut down the Catalyst crapware.

Then try uninstalling Catalyst in Control Panel and report back what happens.

Then plug back in your video card and let Windows Update deliver the driver.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Try uninstalling Catalyst in Control Panel and report back what happens. Then let optional Windows Updates deliver the driver.

Yep did that Greg - nothing happened. The GPU still works as per my last post as the mobo as I said doesn't do a thing.

For some strange reason the machine doesn't like HDMI without one having to use it through the GPU and rescale it with that centre app where I am not going back to again.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hiyya Greg Have just had a quick check in that storage area and I have this coming up - I cannot for the life of me see why D: is showing in that screen.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you previously have a GPT disk installed with EFI Boot disk, as it creates an extra 100mb EFI partition during install?

Then if you reinstalled as MBR disk and didn't wipe the HD it may have kept the EFI disk structure in place. Unfortunately since the Disk Mgmt window is not maximized I can't see if there is content remaining on D. Can you post a list of it's contents after unhiding Hidden and System files in Control Panel>Folder Options>View.

What I would do is reinstall after wiping the HD, following these steps which are the same for retail to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

You may see performance improvement since the old EFI disk structure may be causing conflicts.