Windows 7 installation on Toshiba UEFI

r00tb33r

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Hey all,

I bought a new Toshiba L70-BST2NX1 laptop and I am trying to install Windows 7 on it using UEFI method, not dual boot with Windows 8.1, just Windows 7 all by itself. I got stuck early in the installation process.

Here is what I did:

  • ■ Disabled Secure Boot in UEFI setup
    ■ Removed all partitions from HDD
    ■ Began booting from Windows 7 DVD while UEFI is enabled

Having done that, on the screen I see "loading files" text and a white horizontal progress bar. Then the animated Windows startup logo appears with "Starting Windows" text, but then it freezes in the middle of the logo animation. This is where I am stuck.

I certainly want help getting me through the installation but I also have a number of questions.

  • ■ Does Windows 7 normally support this type of UEFI installation?
    ■ If UEFI booting is disabled (CSM) on UEFI-capable machine, what functionality do I give up?
    ■ If Windows 7 installation is performed with UEFI boot disabled (CSM), can UEFI booting be enabled again after the installation process is finished?

These are the instructions that Toshiba has, and they say to use CSM booting, but does that mean that UEFI Windows 7 is impossible on UEFI-capable Toshiba machines?
https://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/kb0/TSB2C03F80002R01.htm
 
Hello... Depends on the version of Windows 7 32/64... which one are you installing?
Do you really understand what UEFI really does, and is this a feature you require for a certain application?
Always follow the Instructions that Toshiba gives you for their Computer.
There can be 32/64 bit UEFI firmware... and a Windows 32 bit OS was designed for 16 bit Bios install.
 

r00tb33r

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64-bit obviously. Home Premium 64-bit.
Thought I should point out that installation freezes before I choose the architecture of the installation!!! So I suppose that's not relevant.

The concept of UEFI is murky. From what I understand UEFI provides a standard driver for a device to the operating system, so the OS doesn't have to rely on it's own driver set or BIOS during boot. From what I understand that also speeds up the boot process. There are probably a bunch of other things that are not known by me. I have no specific application requiring UEFI, but if I can benefit from UEFI, I would like to have it...?

I would prefer to understand what the instructions mean and what the consequence is before I follow them. Not to mention that saying this isn't helpful at all.
 
Hello... Are you preforming a " clean install" with your procedure?
Like I said the Bio's have been 16 bit for many Years, and has started to evolve into 32/64bit instruction sets, and Larger Sizes of memory can be used for Drivers and remote access. Also you get the advantage of GPT, thus larger than 2TB drives can be used with the 32/64 bit BIOS.
I have never run into a problem with a MB UEFI setting during a Windows install... or the running of it afterwards.
Follow the instructions per Toshiba and "Set it and forget it" Unless your trying to install the OS on a > 2TB hardrive, then GPT comes into play.
 

r00tb33r

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If you kindly look at the very top of the first post, you will see this little bit:
If you read that and/or understood it, you would know that it means a clean install.

Are you sure you have the slightest idea regarding this technical topic...?
 
Hello... load a OS Yes.. I build and repair computers since 1990, Windows 3 and the i286... BUT I have never Re-loaded the OS on your computer model. B )
But I have not failed to do so on any other model... if the hardware was good or capable.
What size is your OS HD?
What is your UEFI 32 or 64 bit... could this be the reason for the Toshiba's notice?
Apparently there can be a issue, or they wouldn't say something...
You are only changing a UEFI setting from "secure" in the web page you are showing... This is a WINDOWS 8 access to the BIO's security setting... Not available in Windows 7.
 

r00tb33r

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Excellent. My technical resume is a bit longer than that, but I will waste no time bragging about it.

In this thread that I started I seek explanation why I encountered the problem, and how I solve the problem while preserving all of the included functionality.
I also asked a number of questions answers to which would be informative to me.
I am not interested in following instructions that have no technical basis. If the academic approach to this topic does not suit your approach to technology, please kindly not participate in technical discussion contained in my forum thread. Thank you for understanding.

Also, going back and editing previous posts breaks the flow of discussion, and is difficult to follow.

Can we get a moderator in here to clear out this thread all the way back to the first post?
 
Hello... I reserve the right to add and change as the thought flows deep into my Mind, and MY available searches on the Subject, also i'm reading and helping others at the SAME TIME. LOL... as others might be reading this later to solve a certain problem. B )
I'm sorry I thought I was responding to a OS install Problem... and Not a Discussion Topic.
I suggest you re-post " Discussion TOPIC : " and I will stay clear...
 
I could be wrong but it may have something to do with Windows 8 having been installed before on this drive. See this thread - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/63651-63-windows-clean-install-hangs-starting-windows-screen - for someone who was having a similar problem with Windows getting stuck on the loading screen. On page 2 the suggestion is to change to CSM and install. I'm still looking to see if there are any disadvantages of using CSM boot vs. UEFI boot.

The suggestion from this site - http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html - is to use CSM boot to install Windows 7.
 

r00tb33r

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Thanks!
My understanding of CSM is that it is a BIOS emulation mode on UEFI. My understanding is that Windows 7 is an UEFI-compatible OS, hence why I don't want to give up that easy and going legacy booting (CSM). Unless of course it's possible to return to UEFI after completing the installation from DVD, but I have doubts.

I will try to create a completely blank partition table using Hiren's to see if that helps.
 


I understand and wish I could be of more help. Maybe later today I can look into it more and see if I can come up with anything.
 

r00tb33r

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Thanks!

I did create a blank partition table and erased the MBR using Super FDISK on Hiren's, so now there's no trace of Windows 8.x having ever been installed on this drive. The drive is now blank.

I repeated the Windows 7 DVD boot with UEFI enabled, but it froze again on the Windows logo. Is there a pure textmode variety of the Windows 7 setup that could be enabled perhaps when using USB installation media...?

Much appreciated if you are able to give this another look.
 

r00tb33r

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The first two I have been following up until I encountered the problem, which is very early in the setup process. Basically it locks up somewhere in the extract to RAM and boot kernel from RAM phase. It locks up at the "Starting Windows" text and animated Windows logo.
The third one about partitioning is informative, but we haven't gotten there yet, first we need to actually boot the setup. Hard drive is completely blank right now (empty MBR, empty partition table).

I have attempted installing from USB media instead of DVD but got the following results:

  • ■ UEFI boot from USB produced the same result as DVD, froze at "Starting Windows" and animated logo
    CSM boot from USB does not work at all. Despite boot order or choosing "USB" option on boot device screen, machine ignores USB drive and goes straight to PXE network boot. I tried disabling USB3.0, but that had no effect.