My USB with an ISO file of Windows 7 is not being seen

[Randolla]

I am trying to get an operating system installed on my M2 drive. It is a Samsung XP941. Windows is giving me a message that I can't install to it and something needs to be changed in the BIOS . I have READ EVERYTHING here in the forums related to an M2 and other places as well. What I found is that I need to have an ISO file of Windows 7 Pro 64 bit copied to a USB drive. So I did that. The drive is shown in the BIOS but I don't know how to get it to install Windows. I have changed the boot order to have the USB first and have enabled everything I can think of to no avail.

I am VERY, VERY frustrated and I REALLY COULD USE SOME HELP. My first post was deleted as a duplicate. I have not been able to find a thread here that HAS A SOLUTION. If there is one, please point it out to me. I am new here with the R5E being my first ASUS product.


I really could use some help.

Thanking you all in advance.

[Randolla]

Chino wrote:
Connect your keyboard and mouse to the USB 2.0 ports during installation.

Thanks, I wish I had known that beforehand. I did have the USB ports set to full initialization.

This is the error I am getting:

Windows Boot Manager

File:EFI\Microsoft\Boot\Bld

Status 0xc000000d
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data.



It then goes on to tell me to insert my windows disk and repair it. But when I do, it gets stuck at the Windows splash screen.

Any ideas guys? Did I brick my M2? Is ther any way to SAFELY format the M2? Can I install Windows on another SSD drive such as a Samsung 840 and then successfully clone it to my M2?

If had known about the USB 2.0 ports I probably would have been all set by now.

I am open to suggestions

[Chino]

Have you tried disabling Secure Boot?

[Randolla]

Chino wrote:
Have you tried disabling Secure Boot?

I just tried to. it seems to be grayed out. I did clear the keys but that didn't work. I looked in the manual but I don't see where to disable secure boot.

will reflashing the bios help?

[Randolla]

I have made some progress!!

I reflashed the BIOS and I am no longer getting that Windows error. I can get into the Windows setup using both the disk and the USB ISO drive.

BUT.......

I still have my original problem: Windows will not allow to install itself on my M2 drive. It is saying that it is a MBR and needs to be a GPT. I have everything set to AHCI and nothing set to RAID.

What now? I thought booting from the USB ISO file was supposed to fix this!

[khassanove]

Hi,

I was reading this thread, it's regarding AsRock board but the same drive, it might help you.

http://www.thessdreview.com/Forums/ssd-beginners-guide-and-discussion/3987-xp941-asrock-z97-extreme6...

[Randolla]

khassanove wrote:
Hi,

I was reading this thread, it's regarding AsRock board but the same drive, it might help you.

http://www.thessdreview.com/Forums/ssd-beginners-guide-and-discussion/3987-xp941-asrock-z97-extreme6...

Thanks, That was a bit helpful. I think where I made my mistake was when I used the Rufus utility to create a bootable USB ISO image. I changed a setting from MBR to GPT because that what was showing up in my first few attempts. So I have a new USB drive and I am going to install the ISO file as a MBR and hopefully that will work. I may have tried that already (I seem to have tried everything!) but it may have been when I was getting the Windows Error message and it never had a chance to try and work.

I am also looking at installing windows on a separate drive and then doing a format on the XP941 but I understand that I have to do it a certain way or I will render the XP941 useless.


I may try something like this where I install Windows on a different SSD and then clone the darn thing.

https://www.ramcity.com.au/blog/how-to-clone-an-existing-drive-to-a-new-ssd/138297

[khassanove]

I hope you'll get it sorted out, and appreciate your updates on your findings

[squawker]

Hi Randolla,

If are using Windows7 and you want a W7's UEFI installation, the partition method must be GPT.

And i'm almost sure that CSM must be enabled, since only W8 and 8.1 are fully compatible with UEFI.

W7 is not fully compatible with UEFI, so CSM have to be enabled .

Good luck,
Valdir

[Randolla]

squawker wrote:
Hi Randolla,

If are using Windows7 and you want a W7's UEFI installation, the partition method must be GPT.

And i'm almost sure that CSM must be enabled, since only W8 and 8.1 are fully compatible with UEFI.

W7 is not fully compatible with UEFI, so CSM have to be enabled .

Good luck,
Valdir

Thanks, I will try that when I get home tonight. So If I understand you correctly, I have to run this Rufus program that puts the ISO image on the USB stick as a GPT partition. Right now, I am getting a message from Windows 7 that there is a MBR partition on the XP941 and it needs to be a GPT.

The big question is: How do I change that?

[squawker]

Randolla wrote:
Thanks, I will try that when I get home tonight. So If I understand you correctly, I have to run this Rufus program that puts the ISO image on the USB stick as a GPT partition. Right now, I am getting a message from Windows 7 that there is a MBR partition on the XP941 and it needs to be a GPT.

The big question is: How do I change that?

Hi Randolla,
As Praz said, W7 installation from USB stick needs some preparation.

i always install W7 from disk, i think it is easier and safer.

And if you choose to install it as UEFI, the W7 installer do it in GPT automatically.

Well your case is diferente, and i dont have any experience with M.2 drives.

Regards,
valdir