can not install windows 7 on new Elite desktop 800G2

[Vezakias]

Hello everyone

I recently purchased a new PC and I am trying to reinstall windows 7 (64bit).

The PC boots off the DVD with no problems but when it reaches the "Select a language" window, the mouse and keyboard

stop working so I can not continue with the installation.

Does anyone know how I can overcome this problem? I suspect something in the BIOS needs enabliong or disabling?

Many thanks.

[SDH]

That is odd.  I have seen rare cases where the HP optical drive did not have drivers for itself on the Microsoft W7Pro64 installer DVD, and a firmware update for the optical drive, or swapping in another optical drive, allowed the install to proceed normally.

For your situation I'll assume you are currently using a USB keyboard and mouse.  I generally install using a PS2 keyboard and mouse.  You can get those, HP brand, off eBay new for quite inexpensive.  The PS2 interface is very different from the USB interface, and what I'd call more primative.  This approach has allowed me to do some things during install that the USB devices could not do.  I've also been able to get into BIOS on a few Z620s with the PS2 interface when I could not with the USB interface.  Rare.....

Once the install is done then generally there are no issues either way.  Please post back with update if this PS2 approach works for you.... that will help others in the future.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

See if this works...

I found out that Intel removed USB 2.0 chipset support from the Skylake chipset. 

This means that normal USB installs for windows will not work.   

The Microsoft Windows ISO doesn't have the native USB 3.0 drivers either, and that is why your USB KB and mouse go dead.

So you have to add the USB 3.0 drivers into the Windows ISO.   

Intel came through on this one.  They have a utility that does all the work for you.  

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25476/Wi​ndows-7-USB-3-0-Creator-Utility

Run this and point to your USB Installation media and hopefully, W7 will install.

[SDH]

That is excellent info from Paul.....

and a workaround for that issue (in addition to using a PS2 keyboard/mouse) would be to hook up your USB keyboard and mouse to the black USB2 ports that most versions of that workstation have.  Once the install is done you should be able to find the HP USB3 drivers for that hardware and layer those in, and then you'll be able to use those also.

The USB3 ports have blue plastic components rather than black.

[Vezakias]

Hi Paul.

I used a PS2 keyboard and mouse and then manually installed the USB 3 drivers.

Many thanks for your help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[Shadowisper]

Hi Vezakias,

How did you manage to boot from a DVD on a HP 800 G2 ?

On a G1 it's just BIOS -> BOOT menu -> select DVD but I can't get it to work on a G2...

Regards,

Jelle

[Vezakias]

On G2 you can press "escape" and that will bring out a l ist that contains a number of options:

- Continue booting

- Boot menu

- Bios setup 

and many other.

I just chose Boot Menu and then my DVD device.

Also you could check the "Boot order" in the BIOS.

[jeweytheroux82]

The PS2 keyboard/mouse isnt an option for the EliteDesk 800 G2 Mini as it has no PS2 ports.

Plus ALL the USB ports are USB3 so I am currently stuck with a lovely looking brick until I can figure out how to inject the drivers into my WDS before imaging?

[Vezakias]

In that case you should try Paul's alternative suggestion, Windows 7* USB 3.0 Creator Utility.

Also, when I was goolgling the problem, people with same problem plugged the USB mouse into to  a USB 2 port instead of USB 3 port. However that did not work for me but it worked for them. You could give that a try if you haven't done already.