dc7800 is working but can't boot any version of windows from usb.

[nh82]

I have a dc7800p, serial czc8083027. I comes with vista originally but i don't have the discs and the drive has been wiped.

I created a HP PC Hardware Diagnostics 3-in-1 USB Key from here: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/pc-diags.html?jumpid=va_r602_us/en/any/pps/pl_...

Performed 6 loops of the system test and all passed.

I created a linux mint live usb stick, which booted fine. But i can't boot the installation of any version of windows, nor pfsense which is what this machine was supposed to be used for. I've tried 32bit vista, 64bit windows 7 & 8.1 and all that happens is that it starts loading the files, then when the progressbar is full nothing else happens. I've tried with 3 different usb sticks, no diffrence. I've also reset the bios to defaults to make sure it wasn't an old setting messing things up.

I've tried replacing the sata cable and also tried using an ssd, no difference.

What is it about this machine that makes it hate windows so much ?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The only suggestion I can offer would be to try install the version of Windows you want via a DVD.

I have a dc7800 and installed every version of Windows from XP to W10 at one time or another, by using a CD/DVD with no issues whatsoever.

I have done the same for my mother's dc7800 CMT installing Vista Business 32 bit, and a friend's dc7800 using Vista Business x64.

The only thing I have done with a bootable usb flash drive on the dc7800 was to update the microcode. 

Booting from a flash drive to update the microcode worked fine.

I have never attempted to install Windows from a USB flash drive on my dc7800, and now that you have reported this issue, I am half tempted to try it out one day, if I ever have to reinstall W10 from scratch, to see if I have the same problem.

There are ways to convert your Windows bootable flash drive installation files to DVD's.  Google it.

[nh82]

Problem is, the only computer i have with an OD is this hp, my laptop has none and neither does my primary desktop.

But now that you mention it, i suppose i could boot a linux live usb stick, and then burn the iso from a scondary usb stick onto a disc.

Second problem is that i want to run pfsense on this machine which means i need to boot off usb somehow.

You could just try starting the installation without actually completeing it.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

That is a problem...

I found this info...maybe it will be of help to create an ISO file in ubuntu.

Then you can burn the file to a DVD maybe?

http://askubuntu.com/questions/240803/convert-bootable-usb-to-iso-file

I only use Windows and have a bunch of PC's with Windows, so I am unrestricted in running windows programs to burn disks, create ISO files, etc.

If you live in the USA/Canada, you can call HP and probably order a set of Vista Business recovery disks for yourdc7800.

I ordered sets for the ones I mentioned.  A set costs $10 delivered via 1st class mail.

1-800-334-5144

[nh82]

I don't need to convert to an ISO, i already have those, i'll transfer one to usb and then use a different usb to boot linux. Then burn from usb to dvd from linux.

Those dics aren't made anymore, so that is not possible either. Nor does HP keep a digital copy available for download.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, but you need to burn the ISO file onto a DVD.

Isn't that your issue?  You can't install from a bootable flash drive, so you need to burn the ISO file to a DVD.

[nh82]

Well, yes. But you mentioned creating an ISO. And those i already had.

But i just booted into linux and from there burned a dvd with a windows 7 iso, now i'll see what happens.

Edit: well, it would appear there's a bug in the bios for booting windows from usb. Because the dvd i just burned works. When i get into windows i'll update the bios to 1.35 and see if that fixes things.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

One thing...You don't need to flash the BIOS by using the windows based flash utility

One you are in windows, all you need to do is to download the v1.35 file, run it, an information page will open.

Read the info under the F10 BIOS flash method of flashing the BIOS.

Get a usb flash drive and format it with the FAT32 file system.

Copy the contents of the DOS flash folder you get from the instruction page.

Plug the flash drive in the PC and restart it.

Tap the F10 key to get access to the BIOS.

Select the File Menu and then select the Flash System ROM option from the list.

Select the USB flash drive and the PC will see the BIOS files.  Follow the on screen instructions to update the BIOS.

I don't trust the windows based flash utility. 

A lot safer to do it in DOS, and it also doesn't matter what version of Windows you are running when you flash the BIOS that way.

[nh82]

I tried extracting the bin file and using the flash from bios, but that didn't work. That is why i did it from windows. But it didn't fix the usb issue, so had to go back to linux and burn pfsense to disc. Now the machine is running pfsense, and installing a second nic worked fine.

[Adis1]

Thank You very much for this post You saved my life.................