Problem installing Windows 7 onto External HDD

[Aced]

Hi,

I'm currently at a point were I'm stuck on this error "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. Setup does not support configuration of or installation to disks connected through a USB or IEEE 1394 port".

I am trying to install Win 7 onto my External 1TB Samsung M3 HDD, I want to boot Win 7 directly of the External HDD.

Can anyone please support me or give me a bit of help. Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

Win7 is engineered so it can't be installed to an external HD. Use an internal HD.

 

[Aced]

Win7 is engineered so it can't be installed to an external HD. Use an internal HD.

I've tryed installing it on the internal hdd, ive created a partition for it. However I come across this problem "Windows cannot be installed to this disk, The selected disk is of the GPT partition style".

The laptop came with Windows 8 x64. Please can you help me out? Im trying to dual boot Win 8 with Win 7.

 

[gregrocker]

To Dual Boot Win7 on a Win8 PC you must boot into BIOS setup to turn off Secure Boot, then install Win7 in UEFI mode. UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

It shows how in Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7.

If you need help finding the correct choices in BIOS setup, post back camera snaps: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

 

[Aced]

To Dual Boot Win7 on a Win8 PC you must boot into BIOS setup to turn off Secure Boot, then install Win7 in UEFI mode.

It shows how in Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7.

If you need help finding the correct choices in BIOS setup, post back camera snaps: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

I went into BIOS and changed it to Legacy mode which turns of the Secure boot, when I turn off Legacy boot. It doesnt let me change "Secure Boot" settings.

 

[whs]

I have currently 3 systems running from 1 external USB drive - Windows 8, Zorin and Mint Mate. But they all run under VMware Player that makes it very easy to setup such a configuration. Here is a little tutorial on how I did that.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/276540-portable-os-carry-your-os-external-drive.html

 

[gregrocker]

Be careful that you don't disable UEFI by enabling Legacy BIOS, as Win8 would not boot. The choice you want is to turn off Secure Boot only. If you'll post back the requested camera snaps of those settings showing all choices we can help you better.

 

[Aced]

Be careful that you don't disable UEFI by enabling Legacy BIOS, as Win8 would not boot. The choice you want is to turn off Secure Boot only. If you'll post back the requested camera snaps of those settings showing all choices we can help you better.

I dont have a camera on me at the moment, the Win7 DVD boots up in Legacy mode however when its in UEFI mode with secure boot disabled, it doesnt give me options to boot from DVD/CD drive. Ive even checked F12 option.

EDIT:

"PS C:\Windows\system32> confirm-SecureBootUEFI
False
PS C:\Windows\system32>"

 

[gregrocker]

Are you following UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums.

If UEFI is enabled you should have Windows Boot Manager and UEFI DVD choice in BIOS boot menu. Did you enable Legacy BIOS losing those choices? Will Win8 still boot?

If you have Compatibility Support Module (CSM) you can choose Dual Mode but I would not go full Legacy unless you decide to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7 which would require reinstalling Win8.

 

[Aced]

Are you following UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums.

If UEFI is enabled you should have Windows Boot Manager and UEFI DVD choice in BIOS boot menu. Did you enable Legacy BIOS losing those choices? Will Win8 still boot?

If you have Compatibility Support Module (CSM) you can choose Dual Mode but I would not go full Legacy unless you decide to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7 which would require reinstalling Win8.

I tryed both modes, Legacy mode will show the DVD. Dont think UEFI shows any boot options (I think boot manager only, no DVD/CD). Nope, my BIOS doesnt have CSM. What shall I do? Nope I didn't follow that guide.

 

[gregrocker]

Can you confirm you've disabled Secure Boot?

I asked you if WIn8 will still boot in Legacy? Normally you'd need a Dual CSMode.

Otherwise you'll need to follow the steps in the tutorial to install in UEFI mode trying to get the UEFI DVD drive option to show, or try UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

 

[Aced]

Can you confirm you've disabled Secure Boot?

I asked you if WIn8 will still boot in Legacy? Normally you'd need a Dual CSMode.

Otherwise you'll need to follow the steps in the tutorial to install in UEFI mode trying to get the UEFI DVD drive option to show, or try UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

No Legacy mode doesnt load Win8. Maybe if I update my BIOS? I'll try that guide tmr, I'm gonna get some rest now. Hope that guide works, if not what would you recommend me? Thanks for the help btw

 

[gregrocker]

I asked Theog to look at this when he comes by in the morning. He may have some other suggestions. But you'll need to follow the tutorial.

 

[Aced]

I asked Theog to look at this when he comes by in the morning. He may have some other suggestions. But you'll need to follow the tutorial.

Thanks buddy, trying the guide now. Hope it boots from USB. I'll edit post if anything happens.

 

[theog]

Windows 8 Desktops - How to Disable Secure Boot - YouTube



Enabling the boot device menu

On most Acer systems, you can use the F12 key on boot to select the drive or network from which loading the operating system. In case the F12 option does not work, you may need to enable this function.

SOLUTION

Enabling the F12 function:

1.Power on the system. As soon as the first logo screen appears, immediately press the F2 key, or the DEL key if you have a desktop, to enter the BIOS.
2.Press the right arrow key to select Main.
3.Use the arrow keys to navigate to F12 Boot Menu, and press ENTER.
4.Select Enabled, and press ENTER.
5.Press the F10 key to save changes and restart the system.

How to Enable or Disable Secure Boot

This article only applies to: Windows 8 Desktops

Bootable media from previous versions of Windows may not be recognized in Windows 8. You can change the Secure Boot setting and it should recognize the bootable device.

Use the following steps to change Secure Boot:

1.Completely shut down your computer.
2.Power on the system. As soon as the first logo screen appears, immediately press Delete to enter the BIOS.
3.Use the right arrow key to select Authentication.
4.With Secure Boot highlighted, press Enter and then the down arrow to select Disabled.
5.Use the right arrow key to select Boot Options.
6.With Launch CSM highlighted, press Enter and use the down arrow to select Always.
7.Press Enter.
8.Press the F10 key to save changes and restart the system

 

[theog]

Are you following UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums.

If UEFI is enabled you should have Windows Boot Manager and UEFI DVD choice in BIOS boot menu. Did you enable Legacy BIOS losing those choices? Will Win8 still boot?

If you have Compatibility Support Module (CSM) you can choose Dual Mode but I would not go full Legacy unless you decide to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7 which would require reinstalling Win8.

I tryed both modes, Legacy mode will show the DVD. Dont think UEFI shows any boot options (I think boot manager only, no DVD/CD). Nope, my BIOS doesnt have CSM. What shall I do? Nope I didn't follow that guide.

For internal HD.
The above sounds look you trying to boot Windows 7 x32, & not Windows 7 x64 for UEFI install, check your DVD.

or

To Downgrade to Windows 7.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html

Warning you must have the uEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.

3) Reset BIOS to default, and reboot to BIOS make sure Secure Boot is disabled.

NOTE: Check your manufacturer's uEFI/BIOS firmware manual for settings.

   Note

You may also need to

Make sure CSM is ENABLED, & set to UEFI boot.

enable Boot Menu.

enable BIOS password.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRMIvY7BiL4

For External 1TB Samsung M3 HDD, take a look at:
Windows To Go - Create in Windows 8 Enterprise

Windows 8 To Go - Setup on a USB Flash Drive or USB Disk

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/276540-portable-os-carry-your-os-external-drive.html

 

[Aced]

I dont see the "Make sure CSM is ENABLED, & set to UEFI boot." option in my BIOS. I've checked everywhere, maybe thats the main problem...

I'm on a Acer Aspire V3 571G laptop.

 

[theog]

No Legacy mode doesnt load Win8.

How do you know, when CSM not ENABLED?

I dont see the "Make sure CSM is ENABLED, & set to UEFI boot."

Did look at the ACER video?

 

[Aced]

No Legacy mode doesnt load Win8.

How do you know, when CSM not ENABLED?

I dont see the "Make sure CSM is ENABLED, & set to UEFI boot."

Did look at the ACER video?

Looked at that from the start, I've updated my BIOS version. Let's see if I have any luck. There was no CSM option at all in the BIOS.

 

[whs]

If you went with what I had posted in Post #6, you would long be done, LOL.