Win 7 x64 Pro install fails on HP Folio 13 laptop

secutorum · Jul 11, 2013

I'm hoping that someone here can help. I've tried everything I can think of and searched the Internet all day trying various solutions.

I just received an HP Folio 13- 2000 laptop. This laptop has NO CD/DVD ROM drive. It has 2 USB ports, 1 2.0 and 1 3.0.

So, while it currently has an OS, I need to reformat it with a clean install of Win 7 x64 Pro for actual use. I have tried several different ISOs of Win 7 x64 Pro SP1, and all have failed to install. After clicking Install Now, I get the dreaded:

A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. If you have a driver floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, please insert it now.

A few more things:
There is no CD/DVD drive on this laptop, it's a small form factor EliteBook. It's not missing or damaged, there isn't even a space for one.
I have read that Win 7 has no native USB 3.0 support, and this is the actual cause of the error.

What I have done:
Downloaded the fresh clean ISO files from Digital River for Win 7 x64 Pro
Created bootable USB drives and placed the image on them (both using the command prompt to clean, partition, format and make active as well as PowerISOs automated bootable USB drive function)
I have booted into the current Win 7 install and used Drivermax to rip all the drivers on the system (including the functioning USB 3.0 driver) and placed them on a separate USB drive.
Swapped out between the 2 USB ports, the 3.0 on the left and the 2.0 on the right. After I get the error message above, I can no longer see the flash drive on the 3.0 port, but can on the 2.0 port. I've pulled the drives following many different instructions and in every possible combination.
I've disabled CD/DVD booting in the BIOS and set the only 2 boot options as USB and HDD, in that order.

When it asks for the drivers, I swap in the driver disk and go through every single folder. It finds nothing, even though I can verify the files are all there. It reacts so quickly that I don't even think it's checking.

I can't begin to express how frustrated I am after spending literally all day trying to get this up and running. Any help or ideas would be appreciated greatly!

Tom Tancredi · Jul 11, 2013

Okay here is the problem in a nutshell: If this computer has Win8 on it already, you can't "downgrade" or run Win7 install on it, and any attempt to install Win7 will failed because the computer already "has been upgraded". Also the MBR is set for Win8, so again this will thwart all efforts.

The process to resolve this issue is BEST resolved to go back to HP (should still be under warranty right?) and explain you want a 'downgraded' system to Windows 7 x64 Pro. To validate and push the issue you can point them directly that the specs page http://www8.hp.com/us/en/ad/elitebook-folio/specs.html states: 27.
This system is preinstalled with Windows® 7 Pro software and also comes with a license and media for Windows 8 Pro software. You may only use one version of the Windows software at a time. Switching between versions will require you to uninstall one version and install the other version. You must back up all data (files, photos, etc.) before uninstalling and installing operating systems to avoid loss of your data.

As they advertise it was to be preinstalled, yours was not, you need your system preinstalled AS ADVERTISED. At this point they will have no choice but to comply, unless you expressly ordered Win8 on it preinstalled (i.e. a preconfigured system on sale).

The only otherway to resolve this, which is going to void your warranties on it, is to buy a external USB DVD drive. Burn a ISO of Windows 7. Burn a bootable disk for wiping the drive (simple google search or make a Ubunti DVD and so it that way), then reboot, select BIOS Boot menu, and select the external DVD to boot off of, wipe the drive, reboot with the Windows 7 DVD, again BIOS boot, then select the DVD.

Now here is the stick in the mud: Newer systems do NOT automatically have the Win7 (since it is no longer retail sold) drivers and such readily available for download for systems (like this) 'made for' Windows 8.

You may just need to accept you will be stuck with Win8, and be happy with the significant changes being introduced in the 8.1. Service Pack that may make the experiance more bareable (I feel your pain!).

Tom Tancredi · Jul 11, 2013

Okay here is the problem in a nutshell: If this computer has Win8 on it already, you can't "downgrade" or run Win7 install on it, and any attempt to install Win7 will failed because the computer already "has been upgraded". Also the MBR is set for Win8, so again this will thwart all efforts.

The process to resolve this issue is BEST resolved to go back to HP (should still be under warranty right?) and explain you want a 'downgraded' system to Windows 7 x64 Pro. To validate and push the issue you can point them directly that the specs page http://www8.hp.com/us/en/ad/elitebook-folio/specs.html states: 27.
This system is preinstalled with Windows® 7 Pro software and also comes with a license and media for Windows 8 Pro software. You may only use one version of the Windows software at a time. Switching between versions will require you to uninstall one version and install the other version. You must back up all data (files, photos, etc.) before uninstalling and installing operating systems to avoid loss of your data.

As they advertise it was to be preinstalled, yours was not, you need your system preinstalled AS ADVERTISED. At this point they will have no choice but to comply, unless you expressly ordered Win8 on it preinstalled (i.e. a preconfigured system on sale).

The only otherway to resolve this, which is going to void your warranties on it, is to buy a external USB DVD drive. Burn a ISO of Windows 7. Burn a bootable disk for wiping the drive (simple google search or make a Ubunti DVD and so it that way), then reboot, select BIOS Boot menu, and select the external DVD to boot off of, wipe the drive, reboot with the Windows 7 DVD, again BIOS boot, then select the DVD.

Now here is the stick in the mud: Newer systems do NOT automatically have the Win7 (since it is no longer retail sold) drivers and such readily available for download for systems (like this) 'made for' Windows 8.

You may just need to accept you will be stuck with Win8, and be happy with the significant changes being introduced in the 8.1. Service Pack that may make the experiance more bareable (I feel your pain!).

secutorum · Jul 12, 2013

Tom Tancredi :

Okay here is the problem in a nutshell: If this computer has Win8 on it already, you can't "downgrade" or run Win7 install on it, and any attempt to install Win7 will failed because the computer already "has been upgraded". Also the MBR is set for Win8, so again this will thwart all efforts.

The process to resolve this issue is BEST resolved to go back to HP (should still be under warranty right?) and explain you want a 'downgraded' system to Windows 7 x64 Pro. To validate and push the issue you can point them directly that the specs page http://www8.hp.com/us/en/ad/elitebook-folio/specs.html states: 27.
This system is preinstalled with Windows® 7 Pro software and also comes with a license and media for Windows 8 Pro software. You may only use one version of the Windows software at a time. Switching between versions will require you to uninstall one version and install the other version. You must back up all data (files, photos, etc.) before uninstalling and installing operating systems to avoid loss of your data.

As they advertise it was to be preinstalled, yours was not, you need your system preinstalled AS ADVERTISED. At this point they will have no choice but to comply, unless you expressly ordered Win8 on it preinstalled (i.e. a preconfigured system on sale).

The only otherway to resolve this, which is going to void your warranties on it, is to buy a external USB DVD drive. Burn a ISO of Windows 7. Burn a bootable disk for wiping the drive (simple google search or make a Ubunti DVD and so it that way), then reboot, select BIOS Boot menu, and select the external DVD to boot off of, wipe the drive, reboot with the Windows 7 DVD, again BIOS boot, then select the DVD.

Now here is the stick in the mud: Newer systems do NOT automatically have the Win7 (since it is no longer retail sold) drivers and such readily available for download for systems (like this) 'made for' Windows 8.

You may just need to accept you will be stuck with Win8, and be happy with the significant changes being introduced in the 8.1. Service Pack that may make the experiance more bareable (I feel your pain!).

Hi Tom, thanks for your reply. The machine currently has a customized install of Win 7 Enterprise on it. I just need to drop a vanilla Win 7 there. No Windows 8 at all.

This is a 'work' machine, but for my job, I need to replace the current image. My techs have granted permission, but I'm on my own with the install.

Funnily, I can get past the error when I try to install Win 8. My company doesn't use it however, so I have no legal key. And I'm not thrilled with Win 8 at all...

Tom Tancredi · Jul 12, 2013

Think your techs were laughing at you when they 'granted permissions'. The only way I see you can is get a USB DVD and plug it in, as I suggested or just 'deal' with the customized install of Win7Ent. Personally if it is customized and it is a work machine, I think they put in all the work to make this happen already and resources (you don't have a Domain to run NIC Booting from to pull down a image of the Microsoft server and do a BOOT-Install for example).

randomdude231785 · Jul 1, 2014

You probably had the thumb drive plugged into the left side usb 3.0 slot, which by default there is no driver. Use the slot on the right (usb 2.0) and it will work.

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Win 7 x64 Pro install fails on HP Folio 13 laptop

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