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

[DGroves]

the z420/and others in this line are not UEFI compliant they are EFI which was the precursor to uefi as such they do have some differences that can cause problems in some cases

first of all "WHY" do you want  EFI mode? there is no benefit do doing so on these workstations due to their bios's which limit the max bootable drive size to a 3TB (actually 3.7TB)  so "GPT"/"Secure Boot" on a boot drive is rather pointless "Legacy/MBR" is  the correct defaults that should be used

if you are trying to use a software NVME boot loader then EFI GPT  partitions on the boot drive does come into play but the max drive size is still limited to 3TB

the HP zx20 workstations will not display the normal boot screen when in EFI mode for video or any other cards boot screen (such as a raid cards bios)

[EWilson7]

Good evening Mr. Groves,

     Thank you for your help and reply.  I read that using UEFI mode when booting decreases the potential of some forms of rootkit infections.  I have also read 3 specific articles on installing Windows 7 on an HP Z420 workstation using UEFI.  The 3 article links are included below.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03465686

https://forums.bit-tech.net/index.php?threads/installing-windows-7-in-native-efi-mode-from-usb.20904...

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

    If this is possible, any help you can be is greatly appreciated.
Thank you !
Sincerely,
Eric Wilson

[DGroves]

to do what you want requires a 64 bit version of windows do you have this?

[EWilson7]

Mr. Groves,
     Yes, it is a brand new 64bit  licensed copy on disk.

Thank you for your help !
Sincerely,
Eric Wilson

[EWilson7]

Good morning Mr. Groves,

      If you are able, your help with installing Windows 7 pro (64bit) would be greatly appreciated.

Please send me anything that you have that will make this work correctly.

Thank you,
Eric Wilson

[DGroves]

my offer was for YOU (not me) to send a usb key if interested go back and reread the PM i sent you

[EWilson7]

Good morning Mr. Groves,

      I thank you for your willingness to help with this.  First, I need to apologize if my comment was misinterpreted.
For when I posted the last comment, I had not located or read your personal message yet.   I you will send me your mailing address, I will send you the 32gb USB, and a prepaid return envelope.

Thank you again. I greatly appreciate your help.
I pray that you have a blessed day !
Sincerely,
Eric Wilson

[DGroves]

never post your personal email/serial numbers in any forum use the Personal Email option (PM)

[EWilson7]

Good morning Paul,

     I have been able to install the Windows 7 on our office HP Z420 workstation, but I believe it may need a driver that is compatible, so that I may connect to the internet (via ethernet cable).  This was one of of the problems that you helped me to solve when we were installing Windows 7 on the HP Envy laptop a year ago.

     If you have any ideas, your help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you, and God bless !
Sincerely,
Eric Wilson

[DGroves]

search for a program called "RUFUS" it will convert a ISO to bootable USB

https://rufus.ie/en/

or use any CD/DVD rom emulator and simply open the ISO and copy all files to a bootable usb key

https://www.google.com/search?q=free+cdrom+emulator&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS909US909&oq=free+cdrom+emulator&...

again, note that the boot drive (C:) even if formatted as "GPT" must be under the bios's 3TB limit

as for the network issue, you either have the onboard broadcom nic or the addin Intel Nic

both win 7 drivers are posted on the HP z420 site

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-z420-workstation/5225033