Unable to install Windows 8.1 after a mobo/cpu replacement

wgheitman

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I am running an older homebuilt gaming rig with Windows 7. I started getting failure to boot with the unit unable to load bios. The unit would power on and off repeatedly, but never boot and I could not access BIOS. I searched forums and found that it was likely a bad motherboard. I installed a Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 AMD 3+AMD 970 Chipset 4xDDR ATX motherboard with a AMD FX-6300 3.5 ghz Six-Core Socket AM3+ Vishera processor. I also purchased a copy of Windows 8.1 - 64 bit (full version) and have the OS DVD. I retained my old Radeon HD 5770 video cards in cross fire configuration and three 12GB Crucial DDR3 memory sticks. I am also reusing my DVD ROM, 80G SATA SSD and 1 TB Optical HD. I attempted to boot to the Windows 8.1 DVD, but after a long stint of viewing the Microsoft progress bar and the the blue Windows screen I get a Startup Repair screen stating, "Your Computer was unable to start". It looks for problems and assure me it will fix them, but eventually this screen locks up and I have to power off the computer. I can open ASUS UEFI BIOS and can see the DVD-ROM and my Solid State Hard Drive that I intend to install Windows 8.1 on. I temporarily removed my Optical Hard Drive just to be sure I don't reformat it and loose it's data. Please help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7 upgrading to 8.1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo g750
    CPU
    i5
    Motherboard
    Some Chinese Crap..
    Memory
    8
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 755
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Verify that your BIOS is pointing to the Proper Boot Device and That you are trying to boot into the correct format..

If old PC setup as MBR Legacy Boot - enable Legacy / CSM support in BIOS
If old PC setup as UEFI - enable UEFI support in BIOS
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
Just to confirm, you are using the x64 version of the Install DVD since there may be a 32 and 64 bit DVD?

The SSD was clean before you started the install?

If there is only one bootable device, the DVD, it should boot to the Install window. If it is not doing that possibly it is seeing something else it is trying to boot to or possibly the DVD drive is a problem.

As was mentioned, your install will be in the configuration of how you booted the Install Media (assuming x64). So if you want a UEFI install, make sure it is booted that way. A second check comes when the install creates its partitions. If it creates two the install will be Legacy, if it creates four, the install will be UEFI.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
Thanks for all the responses! I will try to address each suggestion and give my results:

brooksndun - I do not see why I would need a new power supply if my current one is working. I am not averse to replacing it, but would like to keep it if possible. Same issue with the SSD. It was working before, so why should I replace it? I don't mind replacing though.

I tried booting with only one video card and had the same results. As to updating bios and firmware, I cannot access the internet until I can boot up the computer and start Windows.


KYHI - My ASUS UEFI BIOS Utility has a CSM (Compatibility Support Mode) feature. I set it to "Enabled" and the Boot Device Controls to Legacy Only or Legacy First as allowed. Booting with these settings gave the same result.

Saltgrass - It is the 64-bit version of Windows 8.1. The SSD is not clean. It still has the old Windows 7 installed as well as all the files that were on it. I have configured BIOS so that the DVD ROM is the primary Boot Device. The SSD is still plugged in to the MoBo since I will need it for an install of Windows 8.1. Is the fact that the SSD is not clean a problem? I would have thought Windows 8.1 would just reformat the drive and install.

A note on upgrades to my system - I don't mind spending more money on the rig, but I want to get up and running first and then evaluate what components will give me the best performance for the money. If we can locate a piece of hardware that is actually causing this problem I will replace it as needed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7 upgrading to 8.1
Other notes:

I am able to read files on both the DVD ROM and SSD in the ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility. I assume that means both drives are operational.

I tried unplugging the SSD and booting with only the DVD ROM connected to the MoBo. I get the message, "Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7 upgrading to 8.1
Thanks for all the responses! I will try to address each suggestion and give my results:


Saltgrass - It is the 64-bit version of Windows 8.1. The SSD is not clean. It still has the old Windows 7 installed as well as all the files that were on it. I have configured BIOS so that the DVD ROM is the primary Boot Device. The SSD is still plugged in to the MoBo since I will need it for an install of Windows 8.1. Is the fact that the SSD is not clean a problem? I would have thought Windows 8.1 would just reformat the drive and install.

What does that mean? Dvd is primary boot? Don't you mean you just set it as 1st in boot order in the bios?

Look into updated bios as well.. And things like resetting cmos
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo g750
    CPU
    i5
    Motherboard
    Some Chinese Crap..
    Memory
    8
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 755
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Yes, primary means first.


Sure it does, buddy..

I don't have your same bios options, (mine are much easier to set) and my bios has just "Boot order" and that's it..

However, Assuming this is your bios,

flashbioss.JPG



- Notice there is "Boot priorities" and then" CD/DVD drive BBS priorities"

So if this is how your bios looks, it becomes quite unclear about which one you set for primary and why I mention boot order..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo g750
    CPU
    i5
    Motherboard
    Some Chinese Crap..
    Memory
    8
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 755
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Thanks for the response. Yes it looks to me like I have DVD as first boot and SSD and second boot priorities. It is not difficult to set and I have checked and double checked.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7 upgrading to 8.1
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