FiX TO MAKE USB 3.0 ONLY PORT SYSTEMS INSTALL WINDOWS 7

[45 magnum]

Hello, this is one of the very best website forums on the internet, I read pages daily from here

I am just about to receive my order for an Asus ROG MAXIMUS VIII IMPACT itx motherboard and I notice that it doesn't have any internal headers for USB 2.0 at all, seems to only have external USB 3.0 ports and thats all.

Also, the ITX case that I have bought is the Fractal Node 304 which only has USB 3.0 ports too, (No Optical Drive).

So I know that usb 3.0 is supposed to be backward compatible with usb 2.0 but this makes me wonder what happens if you don't have windows installed, you know how in theory windows will attempt to install minimal drivers for the windows install and the hardware too but it doesn't always go smoothly as we all know, usually it wont install a few of my drivers especially a major one for the network card but I know how to sort that once windows is installed as I have that driver saved elsewhere.

But anyway, in order for me to try and get windows installed what I have done and hope this was the correct Idea was to buy an external USB 3.0 hard drive (with the cable that comes with it), its this model here :-> seagate expansion portable drive 500GB or see here for a random advert for it >> http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/data-storage/data-storage/seagate-expansion-portable-hard-drive-500-gb-black-10127629-pdt.html (sorry if links are not allowed, if they're not then please don't slap me down as I didnt know).

I also just bought an external dvd writer too but thats USB 2.0 obviously, so I have no idea if that will install windows via USB 3.0 ports as explained ?

I also have some USB 2.0 pen sticks that I could use, but again not sure if they will work via the usb 3.0 ports without windows being installed, I know that when windows is fully installed then it will all be fine, but its getting windows on in the first place that is my problem for now.

I have an ISO image file of my windows 7 x64 ultimate saved on my current computer and also on a DVD and on one of the USB 2.0 sticks.

I hope you guys know what I am talking about, thanks if some people can help, brilliant website

 

[45 magnum]

anyone know for sure about this subject please thanks ?

 

[alexoiu]

Hi,
Not sure about it, because I've never tested the method, but here's what I'd do:
- set in BIOS Secure Boot to Other OS.
-try firstly installing Windows 7 from a bootable USB drive (a 2.0 drive should work just fine).
-if not working, slipstreaming the USB 3.0 driver http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/how-to-build-a-slipstream-windows-7-install-disc-715117, or other similar methods and then testing again.

 

[45 magnum]

Hi,
Not sure about it, because I've never tested the method, but here's what I'd do:
- set in BIOS Secure Boot to Other OS.
-try firstly installing Windows 7 from a bootable USB drive (a 2.0 drive should work just fine).
-if not working, slipstreaming the USB 3.0 driver http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/how-to-build-a-slipstream-windows-7-install-disc-715117, or other similar methods and then testing again.

Thanks man,

I have never heard of that slip stream method, not saying that makes it a bad idea, just saying first I think I have heard of it, thats all.

I will obviously try installing windows firstly from either the usb 2.0 dvd writer/usb, the usb 3.0 external hard drive or even the usb 2.0 stick, but I'm trying to think ahead in the event of the what if it doesnt work, lol.

What made me slightly concerned about this is that someone who posted up a review on the internet for either the motherboard or the case or maybe both said exactly what I said above in that people might have a problem getting windows to install if they dont have any access to a usb 3.0 device, I dont know if they mean that would include me sticking the windows ISO image onto the external usb 3.0 hard drive I got though or if they mean a usb 3 stick or usb 3 dvd drive if there is such a thing, hmmm, strange.

 

[alexoiu]

No problem. I might be wrong, but my concern would not be about using an USB 2.0 device, but about Windows 7 lacking the USB 3.0 driver.
Again, I've never came across this issue, so, the above are only assumptions.

 

[alexoiu]

Searched a bit and: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/49780-63-installing-windows-bootable-port
Or look for similar.

 

[James Mason]

You can buy external DVD/CD USB drives pretty cheaply.
http://www.newegg.com/External-CD-DVD-Blu-Ray-Drives/SubCategory/ID-420

I'm 99% sure you won't run into any driver issues, the motherboard knows what USB 3.0 is, Windows doesn't have to know. If it does, it'd just treat it like a 2.0, or at worst a 1.0. These would only limit your speed.

Installing Windows through USB requires you to setup it and load it properly onto a USB device though, you can't just drop the ISO, as the BIOS can't read an ISO file.
http://www.fit-pc.com/wiki/index.php/How_to_make_Windows_7_bootable_install_USB_stick

I have a maximus 7/8 impact, (i7-4790k) and I used an external DVD writer that's USB 2.0 in a 3.0 slot and it recognized it fine.

 

[45 magnum]

🙁 tried all the methods suggested, still cant get windows 7 to boot 🙁

Ok, let me start again by saying what I have.

Motherboard is an Asus Asus ROG MAXIMUS VIII IMPACT ITX
I have a usb 2.0 pen/stick which is 32GB and genuine kingston brand, always works great
I have a usb 3.0 external hard drive
I have a usb 2.0 external dvd writer/player


and lastly the copy of windows 7 I have on what was once a blank dvd is file system type 'UDF'

I dont have the new pc just yet but it will be here in next day or so hopefully, and right now I have
been doing trial runs of all suggestions like suggested above, but I still cant get it to work 🙁

The windows disk works fine when I restart this system which also has a 3 year old asus motherboard, the
dvd works and would install, but as I say its a UDF file type.

I have downloaded various bits and pieces of software to create an ISO image from the windows disk and I have
that file saved to hard disk.

Thats about it, I have it all but still cannot get this to work even on a trial run on this current pc just now, it will work
if I was to install straight from the dvd disk but not the usb stick or the external usb 3.0 drive

P.s, this machine has a mix of usb 3.0 and usb 2.0 ports, I just kept to the usb 3.0 ports though as that is
what we are talking about here.

I hope someone can help, this is driving me crazyyyyyyy 🙁

(feels like I have tried it all but obviously not, I know a majority of people think that usb 3 and 2 will work each way thats correct but not so during a new clean windows install as we can see if you only have a usb 3 PC with no usb 2 onboard at all)

 

[alexoiu]

Have you tried slipstreaming the USB 3.0 driver?
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/how-to-build-a-slipstream-windows-7-install-disc-715117

 

[45 magnum]

Have you tried slipstreaming the USB 3.0 driver?
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/how-to-build-a-slipstream-windows-7-install-disc-715117

no mate, but I just read up on it and see that its looks like a hell of a lot of trouble to go to just to get a brand new system to accept a windows 7 install.

I was thinking again, surely in this day and age whether or not a new system only has usb 3.0 and no access to any usb 2.0 at all then surely as I say in this day and age it must still be possible to install windows 7.

Maybe not, but a lot of things I have tried and tested so far dont seem to work, now I even wonder if the iso image of windows i have is maybe not correct or something as originally it came from a copy I got from goodness knows where and the file type of it on the dvd is a UDF .
(its a complete version of windows 7 x64 ultimate, it doesnt have codes or anything added, its untouched if you know what I mean)

The dvd works perfect for windows installs no problem at all but this whole usb 3.0 thing is doing my head right in now 🙁

 

[James Mason]

http://codeabitwiser.com/2014/03/how-to-install-windows-7-with-only-usb-3-0-ports/

 

[45 magnum]

http://codeabitwiser.com/2014/03/how-to-install-windows-7-with-only-usb-3-0-ports/

thanks James,
I was looking at that article last nigh too.

Doesnt that fix look like as if its for a machine that already has windows 7 installed ?

Because when you think about it the guy is saying do this and do that with those files and dos prompt commands etc etc etc, but on a bare system that has no operating system at all and only has usb 3.0 then windows 7 doesnt and cant see usb 3.0 ports at all seemingly because windows 7 have any usb 3.0 drivers to get started with, windows 7 can see anything that is usb 2 or 1 even but not usb 3.0, hmm, scratching my head with this 🙁

 

[alexoiu]

http://codeabitwiser.com/2014/03/how-to-install-windows-7-with-only-usb-3-0-ports/

thanks James,
I was looking at that article last nigh too.

Doesnt that fix look like as if its for a machine that already has windows 7 installed ?

Because when you think about it the guy is saying do this and do that with those files and dos prompt commands etc etc etc, but on a bare system that has no operating system at all and only has usb 3.0 then windows 7 doesnt and cant see usb 3.0 ports at all seemingly because windows 7 have any usb 3.0 drivers to get started with, windows 7 can see anything that is usb 2 or 1 even but not usb 3.0, hmm, scratching my head with this 🙁

In the end, you can get a PCIe USB 2.0 adapter and go from there, but...more money.

 

[45 magnum]

http://codeabitwiser.com/2014/03/how-to-install-windows-7-with-only-usb-3-0-ports/

thanks James,
I was looking at that article last nigh too.

Doesnt that fix look like as if its for a machine that already has windows 7 installed ?

Because when you think about it the guy is saying do this and do that with those files and dos prompt commands etc etc etc, but on a bare system that has no operating system at all and only has usb 3.0 then windows 7 doesnt and cant see usb 3.0 ports at all seemingly because windows 7 have any usb 3.0 drivers to get started with, windows 7 can see anything that is usb 2 or 1 even but not usb 3.0, hmm, scratching my head with this 🙁

In the end, you can get a PCIe USB 2.0 adapter and go from there, but...more money.

you cant because windows 7 cant see or recognise usb 3.0 signals at all during the actual install of windows 7, the new motherboard and cases that only have usb 3.0 wont do an install of windows 7 install as far as I was told, its a head burster this one

Plus, what if the pc has no room for any other pcie device anyway like mines doesnt.

see here >>> https://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/MAXIMUS-VIII-IMPACT/

 

[James Mason]

You're adding the drivers to the install image so the windows install USB DOES have the drivers.
You need a working windows to perform this, and you need a "working" Windows 7 Bootable USB.
https://kb.iu.edu/d/bciz

 

[45 magnum]

You're adding the drivers to the install image so the windows install USB DOES have the drivers.
You need a working windows to perform this, and you need a "working" Windows 7 Bootable USB.
https://kb.iu.edu/d/bciz

far as I know my copy of windows 7 works great for me every time, sure its just a copy yes same as 9 out of 10 other peoples, but it works, well in its dvd form it does anyway, lol.

I done like it says in that link you supplied too same as others have suggested too and I have tried and I can convert the working copy of the windows DVD into an iso image ready for the usb stick but it still wont boot at all from the usb stick, its a good stick, an expensive one, old but good, kingston brand.

So yes, the windows dvd copy i have works fine, the usb is in working order but for some reason it just wont boot windows via the usb 3 port using the stick, I can actually run the windows iso image thats on the usb stick from the desktop by simply clicking on it, so that works, just not booting, strange isnt it ?

 

[alexoiu]

Try borrowing a DVD drive, connect it to a SATA port, install Windows and return the drive.

 

[45 magnum]

Pretty sure this is the fix/Solution, after a couple of days and hours and hours of reading/trying/testing I eventually think this will do the job nicely

Ok, I think I have the answer as this has been fully tested with myself on USB 3.0 ports but I cant be fully 100% sure it will work 100% on my new pc which only has USB 3.0 and not a sniff of usb 2.0 or anything else, once that is tested and if it works then yes its a 100% solid fix but right now I cant see why it wouldn't work as its been tested right now on a USB 3.0 port on my current pc here.

Ok, so, there are a whole lot of free freeware tools available that will make up a bootable USB pen/stick drive but I found one I prefer which is this one here > https://www.zotac.com/page/zotac-winusb-maker < (download and save it to your pc), its a very simple case of dragging and dropping files into the little application, and not only does it make any external drive bootable it also takes care of adding the complete windows/dvd/ISO file too, I tested it both on an old USB 2.0 stick flash drive and a new external USB 3.0 Hard Drive and it worked for both perfectly.

There is one other major thing though, to trick/fool the USB 3.0 ports into working as USB 2.0 ports you need to go into your bios then go to advanced then USB then look for something called "XHCI", disable it just for now, it tricks the usb 3.0 ports to working as USB 2.0 ports.

After you are done installing windows 7 remember to go back into that same area of the bios as before but this time set XHCI to smart auto or auto or whatever your bios has available that is similar.

This was done on a pc with an ASUS motherboard but I wouldnt imagine that should make much of a difference to other manufacturers motherboard bios options too, I would imagine they should have the similar options somewhere.

I really do hope this works 100% fully which I expect it will when I try on the new machine within days and yes please go ahead and test/try yourself and you will also see it works.

Extremely handy information for people with these same problems like myself Good luck and please let us all know how you get on.

 

[alexoiu]

Why have you selected my answer?

 

[45 magnum]

Pretty sure this is the fix/Solution, after a couple of days and hours and hours of reading/trying/testing I eventually think this will do the job nicely

Ok, I think I have the answer as this has been fully tested with myself on USB 3.0 ports but I cant be fully 100% sure it will work 100% on my new pc which only has USB 3.0 and not a sniff of usb 2.0 or anything else, once that is tested and if it works then yes its a 100% solid fix but right now I cant see why it wouldn't work as its been tested right now on a USB 3.0 port on my current pc here.

Ok, so, there are a whole lot of free freeware tools available that will make up a bootable USB pen/stick drive but I found one I prefer which is this one here > https://www.zotac.com/page/zotac-winusb-maker < (download and save it to your pc), its a very simple case of dragging and dropping files into the little application, and not only does it make any external drive bootable it also takes care of adding the complete windows/dvd/ISO file too, I tested it both on an old USB 2.0 stick flash drive and a new external USB 3.0 Hard Drive and it worked for both perfectly.

There is one other major thing though, to trick/fool the USB 3.0 ports into working as USB 2.0 ports you need to go into your bios then go to advanced then USB then look for something called "XHCI", disable it just for now, it tricks the usb 3.0 ports to working as USB 2.0 ports.

After you are done installing windows 7 remember to go back into that same area of the bios as before but this time set XHCI to smart auto or auto or whatever your bios has available that is similar.

This was done on a pc with an ASUS motherboard but I wouldnt imagine that should make much of a difference to other manufacturers motherboard bios options too, I would imagine they should have the similar options somewhere.

I really do hope this works 100% fully which I expect it will when I try on the new machine within days and yes please go ahead and test/try yourself and you will also see it works.

Extremely handy information for people with these same problems like myself Good luck and please let us all know how you get on.

@alexoiu , You know what mate, I dont have a clue, I was going in and out of the forum and must have clicked on it accidentally, how do I remove it as the solution and make my own the best solution so far ? Sorry about that mate.

 

[alexoiu]

Fixed. Thank you for the follow-up. It would help others with similar issue. Please post back if it worked with your new board.

 

[45 magnum]

UPDATE:
I found the asus utility/tool that creates a fully bootable windows 7 usb stick ISO or dvd ISO from using your own windows disk and/or usb stick or blank dvd, its called "ASUS_EZ_Installer_Win7", I got it from looking on the motherboards support section of the Asus site for the actual motherboard and then looking through the options to download drivers & tools, for some reason it isnt listed under windows 7, its listed under "others" for the choice of operating system and then Ultilities and there you find a utility that has the description "Use this tool to create a Windows 7 installation file with USB 3.0 drivers preloaded for 100 series motherboards.", once downloaded and extracted the utility is called "ASUS_EZ_Installer_Win7", and thats it, it works.

It add's the USB 3.0 files to the bootable saved windows 7 USB stick or dvd that you tell it to create, I just hope it works perfectly

P.S, I noticed you still need to go into your bios before attempting the install though and disable the USB option called XHCi before it allows the system to fully boot into the windows installation, obviously you need to set your boot drives too in bios so that the machine will boot from the drive the usb stick or dvd is in too, after its all done go back into bios and Enable the XHCi usb option, actually mines was set on smart auto, so I just put it back to that.

I know its much the same as the last post I made but at least this one seems to be more perfect and from ASUS too, so I will try that first, hopefully have the goods tomorrow or saturday

P.P.S, I think I would use this fix before the last one I posted as this includes/adds the windows 7 USB 3.0 drivers into the disk image it creates, so this must be the one to use.