Solved Install W7 Pro to VHD

[MilesAhead]

I thought I had it at least for booting USB. I found a tutorial using diskpart and xcopy to copy all the stuff from W7 x64 image onto usb. Then copy efi boot file. Well, it booted to "Starting Windows" and hung just like doing the .wim copy.

Something is broken apparently.

 

[KYHI]

I managed to get it through 2 sysprep reboots, then bsod.. I used an internal partition and still would not install on this PC..

I've tried VHD, USB. USB/VHD and normal HDD setup using windows 7 ultimate on this host and have had no luck..

 

[MilesAhead]

I probably couldn't change this to W7 if I wanted to. If I burned a DVD it probably wouldn't boot. So far the 2 things that boot for me off USB are Macrium Reflect WinPE recovery USB and the System Recovery USB boot. I double checked Secure Boot is off but all those boot USBs I made using DiskPart and the install.wim flashed "checking media" then something flashed on the screen Error but I couldn't read it. I don't know if there's a log when you boot from USB. But I think I'll give it a break for now.

On System Restore I turned it off, then back on. Also I backed off CCleaner one version just in case it has glitch. I'll see how it goes there. But I don't get how booting from USB should interact with System Protection at all. Pretty strange.

If I find anything out I'll post.

 

[Maltesespace]

I think i figured this out. The booting issue / windows logo hanging has to do with the CSM / Legacy oprom being enabled. It needs to be enabled during Windows install and initial OOBE, and then subsequently disabled after you hit the initial windows desktop and install all of your drivers. (because who wants to use a half baked BIOS from the '70s? )

More info in this post.

 

[MilesAhead]

That's interesting. I started out trying to go with a VHD because it was "easier" and had better performance. than going through VMWare. But this rabbit hole may be deeper than I want to go with this Laptop. I guess I'll use W7 Pro when I get a Desktop machine. Fast boot and all that W8 stuff isn't so bad on a Lappy.

 

[KYHI]

have not been able to hit the windows 7 desktop on this PC, no matter the method.. in vm no problem

VM - VHD - USB are MBR disks (legacy)
System is UEFI-GPT even using a system partition to dual boot 7 failed in BSOD
All my other systems are Legacy x64 systems and no issue..

 

[MilesAhead]

have not been able to hit the windows 7 desktop on this PC, no matter the method.. in vm no problem

VM - VHD - USB are MBR disks (legacy)
System is UEFI-GPT even using a system partition to dual boot 7 failed in BSOD
All my other systems are Legacy x64 systems and no issue..

Thanks for the info. I had W7 Pro x64 in a VMWare Player VM. It was among the fastest of the guest OS I tried. But just a tad too slow to stand using it on a regular basis. When I get another PC maybe I'll go for an on the metal install on this one. Meanwhile I'm learning.

 

[MilesAhead]

Just for grins I did Brink's tutorial using Rufus to create a UEFI bootable USB stick using a Windows 8.1 iso. It worked. In fact when I hit Enter to boot the USB I thought it failed. No flicker no nothing. Started getting the twirling circles and I thought I'd be at the W8.0 sign in screen. Nope. I got the install screen select language yadda yadda.

So at least I know something works. Maybe next W10 iso release I'll try to create something directly bootable. I took off VMWare. I mean it is nice freeware but my Laptop is too sluggish to use any of the guess OS for much more than trying FF portable.

 

[MilesAhead]

I think i figured this out. The booting issue / windows logo hanging has to do with the CSM / Legacy oprom being enabled. It needs to be enabled during Windows install and initial OOBE, and then subsequently disabled after you hit the initial windows desktop and install all of your drivers. (because who wants to use a half baked BIOS from the '70s? )

More info in this post.

Looks like you are right on this. My system setup does not have a combined UEFI/CSM setting. So it looks like I have to switch with F2 on startup depending on what OS I want to boot. I made a W7 Pro x64 boot USB with rufus. Set CSM mode and it booted to the install screen no problem. Now I'll try setting up a VHD again. Only this time I'll switch the boot type before trying to boot into it.

Edit: seems it's a catch 22. If I set CSM I cannot see the HD to boot the VHD. If I set UEFI then it freezes when trying to boot it. So all I have gained is being able to boot from USB by first setting CSM.