I can't install my windows 7 OS.

grimister

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Oct 3, 2015
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Hello everyone. I just recently built a new computer because its been forever since i've upgraded. My specs are:
MB: MSI z170 Krait gaming
Cpu: i5 6600k
gpu: MSI gtx 960
Ram: 4x4gb Kingston HyperX fury ddr4
Psu: Evga 750 gold
cooler: CM GeminII s524 ver 2
Storage: WD 1tb HDD and Samsung Evo 850 500gb SSD
Case: NZXT h440

Problem: I Can't install my Win 7 Os (USB) because their is no drives to choose from. I have gone into my BIOS and BIOS reads my drives but Windows can't. I've taken my USB flash drive from 3.0 to 2.0 and that doesn't seem to work. I've gone in to BIOS to change my SATA BOOT to an IDE setting but I dont have that option, only RAID and AHCI. I've taken my old 500gb HDD that has win7 on it. All i Get is a unsuccessful windows load screen into a BSOD in a blink of an eye. I've Installed win7 successfully on my SSD from my USB from my old rig. But doesn't seem to load once I install it into my new one. ( It was one of many test I was curious about to see if it worked :D) I've cleaned both of my storages in CMD to see if that can detect them and no. I've waited more than 10 Hours to see if I just let it sit there and hopefully it'll resolve by itself...LOL! All in All. I am kind of lost right now and need some guidance because I feel like i've wasted my time and hard earned cash on a new rig that doesn't want to install an OS. Please help. Thank you!
 

grimister

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Oct 3, 2015
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Sorry about that i accidentally clicked solved because I thought it was Reply instead. I shall look into this!

 
The Z170 chipset and BIOS don't support USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller (EHCI) mode... and USB 3.0 needs it's drivers to be installed before installing Windows... So try the following options:

1. download or copy the USB 3.0 drivers from the DVD included with the motherboard to the HDD.

2. insert the DVD for the Windows installer to find the drivers or browse for them when asked.

3. Enable Windows 7 Installation or EHCI mode n the BIOS if it has these settings.

4. You may also need to set the USB HDD (as the BIOS reads flash drives) is the first boot device, and switch the order of HDDs in the BIOS so the USB HDD is on top/first in the list, so it will boot automatically. Or you can select it manually from the Boot device options list pressing the key that's indicated in the BIOS post (usually F12).

5. Universal USB Installer can use a HDD partition to make the Windows installer, (to use HDD instead of USB flash drive)...
a) Connect the HDD via USB on your older computer or connected internally.
b) Partition the HDD making a small partition of at least 3GB to create the Windows installer in it.
c) Create the Windows Installer with Universal USB installer marking the case on "Now Showing all Drives (BE CAREFUL)" and expand the dropdown window to select the small 3GB (or larger) partition.
d) through the Windows Disk Manager make the Windows installer partition Active, so the HDD boots to that partition and the installer in it.
e) Connect the new HDD to the new computer and start the installation. After the Windows files are copied to the HDD and the computer reboots, make sure it boots to the Windows installation process not to the installer. A dual boot screen should come up where you can select the Windows installation process.


Universal USB Installer
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/
 

grimister

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Oct 3, 2015
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Thank for your tips! its been helpful, but I cannot figure out this problem. Im going to re seat everything because I believe my Motherboard might be the main problem. Here I come computer!
 

grimister

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Oct 3, 2015
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After days and hours. I finally told myself I couldnt get it done. So I've decided to buy a copy of windows 8.1 because the new chipsets support it. Thank you to the community for giving me suggestions and I appreciate the knowledge you've given me to try and fix the problem. All in All. Time to start gaming!
 

grimister

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Oct 3, 2015
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pressed the wrong button again! :(. I couldn't find my cd anymore, but before I lost it, I made a bootable usb for it. Not only that, i dont have an external dvd drive to use it anyways because my case doesn't have any 5.25 in bays.

 

grimister

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Oct 3, 2015
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Yes! I copied my key as well before i lost it. I asked my buddies if they had a dvd drive and the cd itself but it was going to take a couple days because they're on Win 10 and they have to go back to the "Archives" to look for it again.
 


You don't really need a DVD drive any more. Using a bootable Window 7 USB would still be fine. It's just the Z170 no longer supporting EHCI which causes problems with installing window 7.
Whenever you had the DVD or not, you would still have the same issue with no installing window 7 on a Z170 without patching window 7 with XHCI.
 
That's the point they want to make...
Windows 7 is NOT a modern OS anymore.
I personally will hang on to 7 for as long as possible though, as I hate the tile theme of 8/10. It looks good on a mobile, NOT on a PC.
I will not be going for Skylake in my upcoming build for this very reason. I'll be getting a i5 4690k instead.
 

grimister

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Oct 3, 2015
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That is exactly why. I wanted to keep windows 7, I know their is a "WAY" to install Windows 7 on the new skylake boards because the BIOS can enable it, but I kind of gave up and jumped on the bandwagon.