Solved Flash drive windows 7 installation in UEFI mode not working

[claudignacio]

I have followed the instructions from this site, more specifically http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html
and when I reach the "Starting Windows" screen with the windows logo, it stays there indefinitely. I tried both methods: Rufus and Diskpart, both yielded the same result.

The partition table of the disk is GPT.
UEFI is 2+ (Rampage IV Mobo)
Safe Boot is disabled
Tried with Fast Boot enabled and disabled.
Tried with CSM enabled and disabled. Works with CSM enabled, but not in UEFI mode.
Tried with SMART is enabled and disabled.
Tried with two different flash drives (just to make sure it was not the problem).
SATA is set to AHCI.

I'm not sure of what else I should try.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[gregrocker]

What are the exact settings choices for UEFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS and BIOS Boot priority? Camera snaps will help: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

If you want to install to UEFI did you format the stick for UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows using Option One? Then did you boot the stick as a UEFI device?


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[claudignacio]

Thanks for the quick reply.

>What are the exact settings choices for UEFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS and BIOS Boot priority? Camera snaps will >help: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

CSM is disabled, UEFI enabled, Legacy BIOS disabled. All disks are completely empty, and the Mobo detects this so it defaults to the Flash drive, which is set to priority #1. I do not have a CD/DVD-ROM so the only option is the flash drive. It boots into the flash drive but gets stuck in the windows starting screen (please see last pic to see the screen I refer to).

>If you want to install to UEFI did you format the stick for UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in >Windows using Option One? Then did you boot the stick as a UEFI device?

I tried both options 1 & 2 (rufus and diskpart). Since I have Legacy disabled it only boots UEFI devices. Both methods produced the exact same result (gets stuck in windows starting screen).

 

[gregrocker]

Try enabling CSM to see if it allows the UEFI install. I would want the stick formatted using Option One to give it the best chance.

If this fails: Do you have the lastest BIOS firmware? Reset the BIOS to defaults, looking for choice for Other OS defaults. If Secure Boot re-engages then disable it and try again. Next enable CSM and try again. Then disable Fast Boot so you can see what Boot device is being chosen via BIOS Boot Menu key.

If this fails try turning off Fast Boot, accessing BIOS Boot menu to boot the stick as a non-UEFI Legacy device to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7. Set the Hard Drive as first boot device.

 

[claudignacio]

It is working now. I'm a little embarrassed to admit this but it *might* have been working before. Nevertheless I would not have realized without going through your suggestions.

So let me explain.
I have read (in more than one forum) that when you reach the install screen (where you choose the drive you wish to install windows 7), you should delete all partitions on the drive you wish to install then hit "New". After this step the installer will automatically create 3 or 4 partitions. Allegedly, according to many sites, if you see 3 partitions (or less) you are in a Legacy BIOS environment, if you see 4 partitions, you are in a UEFI environment.
Well, it turns out this is not always true.

I could only see 3 partitions, but I found this forum:
How to tell if windows 7 installer boot in EFI or BIOS? - Super User

Where it explains how to be certain. I followed the instructions and if you take a look at the attached pic, I am on the EFI environment. I did the same step once installed, just in the off-chance that the flashdrive was in the efi environment and the SSD not. But got the same result: EFI.

Another thing that was throwing me off was that I read that CSM is to boot Legacy BIOS in modern firmware, but at least for me, enabling CSM was the only way I could get the flashdrive to get pass the "Windows Starting" screen, even in UEFI mode. So, I'm not sure what was causing the problem. I also tried disabling CSM after I completed the installation, but the OS would also get stuck in the same screen. Regardless, I can see I have all the advantages of UEFI (I have a 3TB drive and windows 7 boot time went from 45 to 18 seconds, no boot screen at startup, etc.), and that is what I wanted.

Thanks gregrocker, for your help and quick replies.