Windows 7 SP1 x64 Will Not Boot From NVMe SSD After Installation

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by PolidelticusFire, Dec 31, 2021.

  1. PolidelticusFire

    PolidelticusFire MDL Addicted

    May 7, 2020
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    I am trying to install Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1 in this desktop with a WD SN750 500GB NVMe SSD (PCI Express, not SATA).

    I have modified the Win7 installer with the proper USB 3 and NVMe drivers, so it does recognize the SSD and does allow me to install the OS into the aforementioned SSD.

    However, Windows 7 is unable to actually boot from the NVMe drive once its installed.
    The Windows logo boot animation appears for a brief second, than the machine simply restarts. And that's it -- its stuck in an endless reboot loop.

    Is it even possible to run Windows 7 on this machine with the NVMe SSD?

    - CSM is enabled;
    - Secure Boot is disabled;
    - Windows 7 installer is started in UEFI mode.
     
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  2. PolidelticusFire

    PolidelticusFire MDL Addicted

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    I know I must missing something here, because if Microsoft provided an update to enable NVMe SSD support in Windows 7, then it should by all means work.
     
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  3. ExtremeGrief

    ExtremeGrief MDL Addicted

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    PC specs? Motherboard, CPU, SSD.
     
  4. PolidelticusFire

    PolidelticusFire MDL Addicted

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    Here you go:

    Core i5-9400F CPU;
    24GB DDR4 RAM;
    WD SN750 500GB NVMe PCIE SSD;
    MSI H310M PRO-M2 Plus Motherboard with latest UEFI update (v1.60).
    Radeon RX 550 640 SP Graphics Card.

    - In the past I could run Windows 7 on this same machine when I had a regular SATA SSD.
    - The NVME one however is no-go.
     
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  5. ExtremeGrief

    ExtremeGrief MDL Addicted

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    OK. Can you explain your whole procedure to install drivers?
     
  6. PolidelticusFire

    PolidelticusFire MDL Addicted

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    #6 PolidelticusFire, Dec 31, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2021
    (OP)
    I found a possible cause to the issue (via Reddit).
    I used the MSI Smart Tool to modify the image. For some weird unknown reason, the tool installs the NVMe driver into Boot.WIM, but not to Install.WIM...

    So Win7 is then unable to boot from the drive once it's inside there.

    Now using the Simplix Full Tool to create a fully up to date Windows 7 ISO with drivers integrated to Boot and Install WIMs. That should fix things up.

    BTW thanks to Enthousiast for that tool/script.
     
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  7. ExtremeGrief

    ExtremeGrief MDL Addicted

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    Yes simplix should fix it as it also includes latest updates, don't forget to use .net and vc++ and directx extension too
     
  8. acer-5100

    acer-5100 MDL Guru

    Dec 8, 2018
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    There are many ways to fix it

    the simplest one is

    Boot your old W7 from SSD/HDD

    Install the NVME support (KB3087873-v2 and KB2990941-v3), if not already installed

    reboot if necessary

    now you should see your NVME drive

    clone your W7 system from SSD/HDD to NVME

    reboot to nvme

    thats's all

    No need to format, no need to mod ISO, no need to waste your time reinstalling everything on a clean install
     
  9. ExtremeGrief

    ExtremeGrief MDL Addicted

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    Yes that's an option too but isn't it better to clean install at hardware change?
     
  10. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

    Oct 30, 2009
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    Please try this, would be a good test.
     
  11. PolidelticusFire

    PolidelticusFire MDL Addicted

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    Using the Simplix tool to create an updated ISO worked flawlessly.
    Now running Win7 with all latest patches and also protected with Microsoft Security Essentials.
     
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