Unable to Boot from USB

vicentech

New Member
Messages
4
Hi EightForums,

Tried looking through the threads but couldn't find one with my problem. I followed the tutorial on how to make usb bootable. I have done the following:

- Used "Rufus" as per tutorial to make UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive
- used a software to test usb if bootable and it was.
- Set Secure Boot off
- Adjusted BIOS to boot usb (kingston) as primary.

I try restarting and nothing happens. Please help.. thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MSI GT60
I try restarting and nothing happens. Please help.. thanks!

Unless you have permanently changed your BIOS boot priorities to ensure the USB device is first boot, you will have to invoke the "boot menu" when the BIOS "splash screen" displays, and then select the USB device for a "one-time" boot option. So, look to the lower right corner for a menu prompt to do so. FYI, I have to use F11 on my ASRock and F12 on my Lenovo laptop. Good luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
By permanently, do you mean if I go back to BIOS option and I see the USB as primary then it is permanently? If so, then yes.
Even If I use Windows 8 Boot Menu option and select my USB to boot from, it doesn't do anything.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MSI GT60
Then your USB device must not be configured to be recognized at boot. So, here's a good test to prove my theory:

Go here and select "create a recovery drive" and follow the prompts.

Screenshot (34).png

This will guarantee that you have properly created same because "Windows knows" how to do it! Once done, test your new USB Recovery Drive and see if it is recognized via either of the previously mentioned methods.

I also have to mention one other important factor that a USB drive formatted as NTFS [DEL]will never[/DEL] might not be recognized as bootable.

Do the test and let us know.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
@Vicent

i assume you want to install windows 8 or windows 8.1 from usb; your pc/laptop is bios legacy boot or uefi boot?

for legacy systems, I normally use a blank usb (for 8.1 i used 8gb usb3 Kingston); I format it in NTFS, copy the Bootmgr file and boot and sources folder (i don't use support tools and migration folders). I use Bootice (from within dos!, but you can use windows also) check if the bootrecord is Nt6.0 (iie it will boot bootmgr or ntldr); you can check with ipauly.com or

Booooooooting ? View topic - [ BOOTICE: A poweful boot-related utility ] - v1.2.0.1

then I restart the machine, press F10 or f12 (As the case may be) to select boot device option; and select the Kingston usb
it will start installing windows without fail.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro (WMC) originally; updated to 8.1 prowmc through store
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G570
for legacy systems, I normally use a blank usb (for 8.1 i used 8gb usb3 Kingston); I format it in NTFS

What do you use for UEFI systems?

Here's an snapshot of the actual recovery drive created by Windows 8.1:

Screenshot (37).png

BTW, The above was automatically formatted/created on one of my Legacy installations.

Screenshot (38).png

However, based on your reported success with using an NTFS formatted USB dive for Legacy Boot Recovery,
I will ammend my original statement accordingly.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html


 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
One more thing. Hre is my Windows 8.1 installation setup (on a USB drive) for Legacy or UEFI installations:

Screenshot (39).png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Hi EightForums,

Tried looking through the threads but couldn't find one with my problem. I followed the tutorial on how to make usb bootable. I have done the following:

- Used "Rufus" as per tutorial to make UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive
- used a software to test usb if bootable and it was.
- Set Secure Boot off
- Adjusted BIOS to boot usb (kingston) as primary.

I try restarting and nothing happens. Please help.. thanks!

Boot the DVD/USB in UEFI mode.

Windows 8 Downgrade-006 SB for posting.PNG

If installing Windows 8x64, no need to turn Secure Boot OFF.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
i don't have native efi systems; (though my acer has both efi and legacy boot options); I use efi emulators for booting into mac-os(hackintosh!)

coming to legacy boot, I mentioned ntfs for the reason that I am using syspreped install.wim (from install.esd) which is now slightly bigger than 4gb; otherwise fat32 will do;

I am enclosing snipshots (using snippingtool); (aside: the 8gb has exfat - its bootpartition is coded for clover for booting mac os; so when I use this for windows I use grub4dos to invoke bootmgr from the root;)

the relevant snipshot is of 16gb usb, which has PBR for loading bootmgr or ntldr (whichever is found)

regards
neelakantanbootice.PNG8gbexfat.PNG16gntfs.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro (WMC) originally; updated to 8.1 prowmc through store
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G570
Then your USB device must not be configured to be recognized at boot. So, here's a good test to prove my theory:

Go here and select "create a recovery drive" and follow the prompts.

Do the test and let us know.

I think it works. Never used a recovery drive so not sure what to expect but once I restart my laptop it prompt me to select a language (which typically doesn't).

@Vicent

i assume you want to install windows 8 or windows 8.1 from usb; your pc/laptop is bios legacy boot or uefi boot?

Laptop is UEFI Boot. Sorry, I realize I did not give that detail. I am trying to downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7. Bought laptop with pre-installed Windows 8.

Boot the DVD/USB in UEFI mode.



If installing Windows 8x64, no need to turn Secure Boot OFF.

How do I access the screenshot above? Does not look familiar.
__________________________
I tried the following:

- Used Rufus (Option #1) and implemented Step 11 from Option #2.
- Restart computer and prompts error along the lines of " Windows failed to start /efi/microsoft/boot/bcd
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MSI GT60
@vicent

probably I have more questions than answers!!!

1) why you want to downgrade to win7; you have retail key and dvd for win 7? (win 8 key may not work on win 7 and win7 downloaded versions may not have the ability to boot in uefi)
2) is the win 8 fully active and licensed?
3) why don't you send the snapshots (or snippings using win 8 snipping tool) of your hdd? this will help us to advise (nay, suggest the better option to) you correctly
4) one reason I have seen in my failures in multiboot install (win7 and win8) is the hidden recovery partition (windows allows only one recovery partition); so normally I use "recovery" folder within the system partition (if you go to the disk management, you see the difference between boot and system partitions);
5) I would suggest that you use a separate partition for installing windows 7; if you send the disk snapshot we can go ahead based on that

regards
neelakantan

(the following links may help you: as installing windows 7 on gpt is not native though some claim that retail dvds have the ability to install in GPT if the bios can successfully answer uefi interrogation by the dvd; that means if you use usb to boot, you need bootmger.efi and tools folder);

Dual Boot Windows 7 with preinstalled Windows 8 on GPT-formatted hard disk and UEFI BIOS.)

"windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk is of - Microsoft Community

Especially the following answers:
Kristoffer Lance
The actual answer is this: It is IMPOSSIBLE to install Windows (7 - 32 or 64 bit, Vista - 32 or 64 bit, etc.) to a GPT partitioned drive, regardless of your BIOS. I have spent 2 straight days trying to accomplish a Windows 7 (64 bit) installation on a 3TB drive, with ASUS UEFI BIOS (June 13, 2012 revision) and NOTHING will allow me to overcome the install screen from the DVD, which will always tell me that Windows cannot install to a GPT drive. I have run Diskpart scripts ad naseum. The only solution to get a Windows install at all is to accept the fact that the drive has to be formatted MBR and take the 1 TB loss. PERIOD. All of the links you will follow in all of the discussions of this situation on all of these so-called MS "tech forums" will waste hours of your time.


====
Lachlan0111 OK - I just wasted 2 days on this and FINALLY found solution (for my situation) which is listed nowhere else on the internet (that I can find):
So my mobo requires that the device booted from is prefixed with UEFI: in BIOS. I couldn't make that happen. HDD was prefixed with UEFI: OK.

Eventually discovered that the MSDN Win 7 DVD I was using was the problem; BIOS must interrogate the disc to see if it supports UEFI booting - this MSDN one apparently didn't.

When I tried different (retail) Win 7 media, I could then select my DVD Rom with UEFI: prefix in BIOS.

Voila!


Hope this helps someone else and prevents them from going postal as I almost did.

=============

regards
neelakantan
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro (WMC) originally; updated to 8.1 prowmc through store
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G570
@vicent

1) why you want to downgrade to win7; you have retail key and dvd for win 7? (win 8 key may not work on win 7 and win7 downloaded versions may not have the ability to boot in uefi)

Not a fan of Windows 8. Had to paid to have them install Windows 7 so I rather keep it as Windows 8 and downgrade it myself.
I do not have a retail key. I downloaded the following: Windows 7 Ultimate 32/64-bit RemoveWAT Included! (download torrent) - TPB Many people downgrade from Windows 8 to 7 so I believe it can boot in UEFI? If not, what are the alternative.

2) is the win 8 fully active and licensed?
Yes, it is.

3) why don't you send the snapshots (or snippings using win 8 snipping tool) of your hdd? this will help us to advise (nay, suggest the better option to) you correctly
Is this what you are looking for? HDD.PNG

4) one reason I have seen in my failures in multiboot install (win7 and win8) is the hidden recovery partition (windows allows only one recovery partition); so normally I use "recovery" folder within the system partition (if you go to the disk management, you see the difference between boot and system partitions);

I am not looking for multiboot. I have no desire to keep Windows 8.

5) I would suggest that you use a separate partition for installing windows 7; if you send the disk snapshot we can go ahead based on that

regards
neelakantan

I think my issue is that I can not get the usb content to be booted when I restart/turn on my computer.

(the following links may help you: as installing windows 7 on gpt is not native though some claim that retail dvds have the ability to install in GPT if the bios can successfully answer uefi interrogation by the dvd; that means if you use usb to boot, you need bootmger.efi and tools folder);

I'll read about it..but yes, my drive is GPT.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MSI GT60
I had a look at the win7 download content from the torrent site; it appears to be a win7 without sp1; I suggest you go to murphy's which is a better and later version with efi support. I sent the link by private message

regards
neelakantan
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro (WMC) originally; updated to 8.1 prowmc through store
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G570
if you are not keen on retaining windows 8 files or image, then Theog has written a beautiful post on downgrading windows 8 to windows 7 for efi systems;

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html

as normal for him, it is easy for him to understand but cryptic for others! so read the post twice or thrice;

if you have bios option for legacy boot, then you can use that; but you failed to give more information about the machine MSI-GT60 we are discussing here, - bios options, processor, hdd size if you go for MBR booting then there is limitation on GPT hdd and hdd size.

(and since you plan to use non-genuine windows 7 over a genuine windows 8, I would still suggest you take extra pain

1. to repartition the disk from within windows 8 (two or three partitions
2. make an image of windows 8 -- if you want to retain window 8 that resize the partition to retain windows 8, otherwise make an image.
3, remove secure boot
4. check CSM settings -- I understand from your messages that you have legacy options; but does it cover the full hdd?
5. reboot the machine with usb and install windows 7 on the first partition -- do you have all drivers?
)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro (WMC) originally; updated to 8.1 prowmc through store
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G570
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