Clean install of Windows 7 pro on HP Z420 workstation using UEFI

[EWilson7]

Hi Paul,

     For some reason, the post would not allow me to highlight the section specifically.
But it is section 3 thru 7.

Thank you again for your help.
Sincerely,
Eric Wilson

[itsmyname]

@EWilson7 -- If the install disk drive is currently partitioned using Master Boot Record (MBR), the standard mechanism for BIOS-based boot disks, the Windows installer states that Windows cannot be installed to this disk. 

Temporarily connect the formatted (MBR) disk-drive to another computer, as a "secondary" disk-drive.

Then, open the "Computer Management" GUI.

Select that disk-drive. 

Choose to "wipe" the disk-drive. This removes all the information about "MBR", returning the disk-drive to its "factory-default" status of "not initialized" -- ready for use by the Windows Installer.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Ed:

OK...I read those sections, and the problem is...you are not even getting that far into the installation process where W7 would be asking for a storage controller driver.

[EWilson7]

Thank you,
     Yes, I have already done so by following the instructions in section 8 of the article.
The SSD  is listed as "Unallocated."  However, I am still not making it to the place where Windows Install dialog box
is showing up.  I need to make it to this point first . . .

    Your help is appreciated.
Thank you,
Eric

[EWilson7]

Hi Paul,

     Here is one of the other articles that I found.  This one indicates that the SSD is to be set up differently
than the article from HP that I shared earlier.  Maybe this will offer some light on what is happening ?

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/186875-uefi-unified-extensible-firmware-interface-install-wind...

Thank you very much for your help with this !
Sincerely,
Eric Wilson

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Ed:

Unfortunately, I was unable to make a bootable W7 UEFI installation flash drive out of the ISO file created from the DVD.

I going to have to raise the white flag on this one and bow out, as I have no idea how to help you any further with getting W7 to install in EFI mode.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi again, @EWilson7 

OK.  I was able to install W7 in EFI mode using the Microsoft ISO file link I posted earlier today and Rufus.

It was easy as pie.

Download the ISO file.

Use Rufus.  Select the ISO file...Select GPT and UEFI.  The file type is NTFS.

You don't need 7-zip or any other tutorial.

Let Rufus create the bootable USB flash drive, and you should be able to boot from the flash drive and install W7.

Make sure you boot the flash drive from your PC's USB 2 port.

Boot from the EFI USB flash drive.

Then just use your W7 Pro product key to activate the installation.

Here is a link to show how to see that W7 was installed in UEFI mode.

How to Check if Windows is Booted in UEFI or Legacy BIOS Mode? (easyuefi.com)

Here is a screenshot of my W7 installation log that I found using the above instructions...

If you run into the situation where W7 can't find the drive to install on, let me know and I will see what I can do to help.

My PC is older than yours, and W7 had the storage controller drivers, so I encountered no difficulties at all.

I can't believe how easy that was using the updated W7 ISO file created by Microsoft in 2018.

[EWilson7]

Thank you Paul,
     I will try this first thing tomorrow.  I really do appreciate all of your help.
One other question before the install . . . What changes do I need to make to the BIOS in order for this to install correctly?
The Z420 workstation came installed with Windows 10 on a small SSD, but now I am using a brand new Samsung SSD (1TB) for the new operating system.

 Thank you Paul and may God bless you !
Eric Wilson

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Eric.

Just make sure that you have secure boot turned off (disabled).

Then boot from the EFI USB flash drive you make with Rufus and you will be all set.

I let W7 do all the updates right to January of 2020 which was the last time updates were provided, and downloaded the Microsoft security essentials software for A/V, and it still works, using the latest virus definition from today.

I was surprised MSE still worked since W7 is out of support.

May God Bless You too, and grant you a successful UEFI W7 installation.

Paul

[EWilson7]

Good morning Paul,

     Thank you for the updates yesterday. I have made the USB boot drive as you suggested using Rufus.
And I have set the boot order to boot from the USB drive first (in both UEFI as well as Legacy).  However, Windows 7 begins to load,  but stops at the screen with the colored windows logo, and says "Starting" again, indefinitely . . .

   What am I missing ?

Sincerely,
Eric Wilson