Planning new build w/ Win-7, Gigabyte GA-Z170X Gaming 7, Samsung 950 Pro. Need help

[Mike Vajda]

Facing two issues:
1. USB port enabling during install.
Perusing BIOS in mobo manual I see xHCI-off but not EHCI enable.
If I cannot enable the USB 2 ports I cannot use mouse/keyboard/ SSD dongle.
Board has one PS/2 port & I have a PS/2 keyboard but no option for PS/2 mouse.

2. I would like to install a Samsung 950 Pro for boot disk (just one/no RAID).
Board has M.2 NVMe support.
I would like to install OS from an ODD, have brand new WIN-7 32/64 retail CD.
I can download the Samsung Magician (and Migration Utility) but have no idea how to
get it to this system.

So,
1. I have to get mouse & keyboard available during install.
2. I have to install the NVMe diver (do I need one?).
3. Figure how to run Magician
3. Install Win-7 64 from CD
4. Install USB 3 driver

My old system is very flaky and I am reluctant to use it to copy its OS (32 bit).
I am not deeply experienced.

Good advice will be much appreciated.

Mike Vajda

 

[BadActor]

You will need the NVMe driver. Perhaps the easiest method for you to install Windows 7 is by slip streaming the motherboard and NVMe drivers into your Windows ISO and then creating a new USB install stick.

http://www.win-raid.com/t750f25-Guide-Integration-of-drivers-into-a-Win-image.html

 

[Mike Vajda]

I think I have a plan:

For no USB 3.0:
The GA-Z170X Gaming-7 has two USB controllers. One (in Z170) is for USB 3./3.1 and emulates 2.0. No go.
The other has native USB 2.0 headers on board. Maybe plugging keyboard/mouse (with adapters) into these will
enable mouse and keyboard use during install. If not, I will try PS/2 keyboard only.

For installing bootable 950 Pro:
Get /install $15 80GB SATA drive, DVD ODD.
Physically install 950 Pro
Install Windows-7 to SATA Dive from DVD
Install NVMe, USB 3.0 drivers
Reboot
Initialize, create new volume, mark active 950 Pro
Install Samsung Migration Tool & Magician
Clone OS to 950 Pro
Shut down
Remove SATA drive and reboot.


Does this have a chance? Any traps?

 

[BadActor]

It may or may not work when you only have one PS2 port. Some motherboards will cause the installation to freeze when switching from the mouse to keyboard or vice versa.