Win 7 64-bit forces 32-bit install on new PC with 64-bit CPU - help!

[Intweb]

Hi,

Have purchased a new Intel I7-2700 3.5 with asus p68z68 v. Installed win 7 64-bit on new hard disk and will only install 32-bit. Have checked BIOS and all looks fine, windows sees the chip, but only as 32!

Have flashed BIOS to latest version 902, but still same problem, BIOS looks fine, windows won't see it - only says 32-bit system when installed.

Any help, really, greatly received.

Steve.

 

[theog]

As the new MOBO has a uEFI BIOS.
How to install Windows 64 bit on a uEFI BIOS:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html

uEFT BIOS setup:
ASUS Sabertooth P67 Motherboard EFI BIOS - YouTube

 

[Intweb]

Thank you very much theog,

Was about to send back RMA, which would have cost me £30!

Can I ask one, extremely stupid question! Why does the new BIOS require a different install process?

I must admit I haven't built my own PC in 5 or 6 years (had to replace IDE DVDs to SATA - that was a shock!), but why does it require the new process?

Thank you.
Steve

 

[theog]

For more info on uEFI:
Windows and GPT FAQ
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
UEFI and Windows

 

[Intweb]

Hi,
Had a go at this, this morning, but have come across an issue.

I cannot find the bootx64.efi file on the DVD! I have Windows 7 64 and 32 bit DVDs, but the location of efi on the 64-bit DVD is \efi\Microsoft\boot and this simply contains a file called BCD?

Do I have to buy a new version of Win 7?

Thank you,

Steve.

 

[theog]

Are installing to a CLEAN HD Drive?

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

Step One: Boot your system into UEFI

Unfortunately, the method of booting to UEFI varies from system to system. Some can boot to UEFI automatically once enabled. Others require you to enter the *.efi file to boot from manually in to a command prompt. Some need a file specifically named shellx64.efi or bootx64.efi. Please refer to your firmware documentation for this.
On the Windows 7 installation media, the .efi file is located in efi\microsoft\boot\cdboot.efi
This file is equivalent to any *x64.efi.

 

[Intweb]

It is a new HDD, but had a brief 32-bit installation on, have formatted using diskpart, now with no partitions. How would you suggest I prepare the disk better?

Thanks, again, for your help.

Kind Regards,

Steve.

 

[theog]

Check you have the uEFI BIOS setup.(Please refer to your firmware documentation for this.)

Do Step one in this tutorial ONLY:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html
Reboot PC with Windows 7 DVD, setup should make the partitions for you.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Your Disk might have been the GPT type which requires an EFI BIOS to boot (hence only the W7 32 bit version you had on it was originally bootable).

You CAN convert this to an MBR type using free tools -- then you should be good to go with W7 x-64 installation.

Read this on what to do.
It's actually in the tutorial section !!!!

Once the disk is changed to MBR it's bootable with any mobo.

(Note by changing back to MBR max partition size is 2TB so if you have a large disk > 2TB split into separate partitions).

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26203-convert-gpt-disk-mbr-disk.html

Cheers
jimbo

 

[theog]

Hi there

Your Disk might have been the GPT type which requires an EFI BIOS to boot (hence only the W7 32 bit version you had on it was originally bootable).

You CAN convert this to an MBR type using free tools -- then you should be good to go with W7 x-64 installation.

Read this on what to do.
It's actually in the tutorial section !!!!

Once the disk is changed to MBR it's bootable with any mobo.

(Note by changing back to MBR max partition size is 2TB so if you have a large disk > 2TB split into separate partitions).

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26203-convert-gpt-disk-mbr-disk.html

Cheers
jimbo

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

This tutorial process will convert your disk to using GPT instead of MBR. See bottom (starting from Step 2) for details.

 

[Intweb]

Thank you all, have downloaded (from microsoft) a legal win7 64 with the correct efi file structure (and files). Once
Diskpart has 'cleaned' my 500mb HDD I'll give it a go.

Thank you for all your help, this was much easier in the 'older' days!

Regards,

Steve.

 

[Intweb]

Could I ask why my DVD image has less files than the version I've just downloaded? All efi files are there on the ms downloaded one, but my (legal) version doesn't? It's an early 2009 version.

Regards,
Steve

 

[theog]

Sounds like, Your new download is with SP1.

 

[theog]

Thank you all, have downloaded (from microsoft) a legal win7 64 with the correct efi file structure (and files). Once
Diskpart has 'cleaned' my 500mb HDD I'll give it a go.

Thank you for all your help, this was much easier in the 'older' days!

Regards,

Steve.

When the HD Drive is CLEAN with NO PARTITIONS follow the tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[Intweb]

Sounds like, Your new download is with SP1.

I have come to, literally, he same assumption in the last 30 minutes! Installed professional image by accident first, which installed fine, so just installing home premium and I should be ready for Christmas!!

Thanks so much for all your help.

Steve.

 

[theog]

Sounding GOOD.