Install on M1300 BIOS Compatibility Issue

[silentheero]

I am trying to install Windows 7 on my Motion Computing M1300 tablet. I have tried installing using the original files downloaded from Digital River, the ISO created from those files, and a separate USB hard drive and get the following error-

[FONT=Segoe UI][SIZE=2][COLOR=#1370ab]The following issues are preventing Windows from upgrading.  
Cancel the upgrade, complete each task, and then restart the upgrade to continue. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Segoe UI][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]Windows cannot be installed on this computer with the current system BIOS version.  
Contact your computer manufacturer for a BIOS update, install the update,
and then start Windows installation again. 
OEM Name: Motion  Computing
OEM Model: M1300
BIOS Version: Phoenix NoteBIOS 4.0 Release  6.0
BIOS Date: 20051111000000.000000+000[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

I flashed the newest BIOS for my tablet, found on Motion Computing's website, but still get this error. I am subscribed to Phoenix BIOSAgentPlus (the company that made the BIOS) and they say that I have the newest BIOS version for this tablet, which is confirmed through their scan results here-

Information About Your Current BIOS
BIOS Type:           Phoenix NoteBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0
BIOS ID:               MGM-ALL1.86C.1008.D.0511110936
BIOS Date:           20051111
BIOS Vendor:        Motion Computing - M1300
BIOS Version:        A08
BIOS Size:           1048576
Chipset:              Intel 3580 rev 2
Manufacturer:      Motion Computing
Product:              M1300
Base Manufacturer:           Compal Computer Corporation
Base Product:                  Compal MX01
Chassis Manufacturer:       Compal Computer Corporation

What the compatibility report says I need and what Phoenix says I have seem to be the same. I know that installing Windows 7 is possible on this machine, as there are several posts on the forum from those who have one. Does anyone know how to remedy this?

 

[silentheero]

Has anyone else had a BIOS issue like this prevent them from installing 7?

 

[jayrad37]

Same problem with same message. Would love to get some ideas around this.

 

[4colorseven]

Like to know if this works before getting an M1300

http://www.phoenix.com/en/OEM-ODM/Customer+Services/BIOS+Updates/

Above is the Phoenix NoteBIOS link for getting the latest W7 compatible update, which may not be available from Motion Comp. Before getting a used M1300, I'd like to know if this will work for you.

 

[silentheero]

Thanks for the link, but it leads directly to the Phoenix homepage even when signed in. The listing for BIOS updates listed in their database for Motion Computing contains an update for the M1400 and a older update. That's why I am stumped with this. Both the manufacturer Motion Computing and the BIOS maker Phoenix have no information to assist as they feel the computer is too old and should be replaced. As soon as they can send me a free one I will replace it. Until then it would be nice to use what I got.

All I really need is a way to bypass this check when Windows installs. Is this possible?

 

[gregrocker]

Have you tried booting the installer and clean installing? Back up your files first.

 

[silentheero]

Realized that a hard drive IDE to USB cable I have would also work with a DVDROM, so I was able to boot from the actual DVD. It did not do the compatibility check when run this way. I am now able to install it on the tablet and have done so with no problems with drivers or anything. Did a clean install and Windows recognized the pen, although when installing I had to use a USB keyboard and mouse.

 

[gregrocker]

Check Device Manager for any missing drivers which can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for you computer model, along with favorite apps which might be missing.

Be sure to save a Win7 backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or a replacement using the DVD and saved image.