[SOLVED] Clean Install Win 7 Error Message? Conclusion: it was a USB 3 issue.

[LABFE]

I have a customer who is experiencing software comparability issues on a new PC that was shipped with Windows 10. The company has an enterprise license for Windows 7 and they want to revert to it. Upon attempting the installation I receive an error message: "A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. If you have a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, please insert it now."

The PC does not have an optical drive; I am attempting installation from a Zalman as a virtual optical drive. I've never seen this issue before. It's a Dell PC and upon Googling it I turned up an article on dell.com saying that it could be several different things that could cause the error message.

Anyone else encountered this before?

 

[NETWizz]

We are probably going to need a screenshot of the error. You are probably going to need the equivalent of a SCSI/RAID/AHCI/SATA driver only for this Virtual Optical Zalmen drive thing. Might even need to use tools like the Windows Automated Installation Toolkit to slipstream the drviers onto the media though you can probably pull them in via a memory stick within the installer.

Of course, the other option is to install it on another PC then pull the disk out before it boots and configures drivers etc. OR finish it completely on another PC without Enterprise Activation. Then Sysprep it.

Lots of ways to resolve this, but the easiest is probably to fix the software compatibility problems with Windows 10; since, anything that works for Windows 7 should probably be able to be made to work with Windows 10 unless it is something crazy like some arcane AntiVirus or something.

 

[nlinecomputers]

It doesn't like the Zalman. It happens. You need to create a bootable Windows 7 USB key. It may also be related to UEFI modes. Need to setup the system in Legacy mode booting. Turn off secure boot and so on.

 

[LABFE]

We are probably going to need a screenshot of the error. You are probably going to need the equivalent of a SCSI/RAID/AHCI/SATA driver only for this Virtual Optical Zalmen drive thing. Might even need to use tools like the Windows Automated Installation Toolkit to slipstream the drviers onto the media though you can probably pull them in via a memory stick within the installer.

Of course, the other option is to install it on another PC then pull the disk out before it boots and configures drivers etc. OR finish it completely on another PC without Enterprise Activation. Then Sysprep it.

Lots of ways to resolve this, but the easiest is probably to fix the software compatibility problems with Windows 10; since, anything that works for Windows 7 should probably be able to be made to work with Windows 10 unless it is something crazy like some arcane AntiVirus or something.

Image attached.

This is a freelance/online platform, IT job, so I'm not at much liberty to make recommendations as far as trying to troubleshoot Win 10 and the suspected software compatability issues; they just pretty much want to go straight to a Win 7 installation.

 

[LABFE]

It doesn't like the Zalman. It happens. You need to create a bootable Windows 7 USB key. It may also be related to UEFI modes. Need to setup the system in Legacy mode booting. Turn off secure boot and so on.

I had secure boot turned off and had tweaked some of the legacy mode booting options. I just returned to the BIOS to look at the legacy mode booting options again and found one more setting to change, but still same error message. I'm now making a bootable Win 7 key.

 

[Moltuae]

I had this issue a while a ago ....

If I remember correctly, the error is misleading; it's actually a missing USB/chipset driver issue (I was installing via a bootable Win 7 USB pendrive at the time). So I just grabbed a spare SATA optical drive and installed Windows from a disc instead. I could've/should've spent time searching for the relevant drivers to pre-load I suppose, but an optical drive was a quick and easy solution.

 

[LABFE]

I had this issue a while a ago ....

If I remember correctly, the error is misleading; it's actually a missing USB/chipset driver issue (I was installing via a bootable Win 7 USB pendrive at the time). So I just grabbed a spare SATA optical drive and installed Windows from a disc instead. I could've/should've spent time searching for the relevant drivers to pre-load I suppose, but an optical drive was a quick and easy solution.

Arrgh, I hope that's not the case. This is a laptop and I don't have an external optical drive with me, although I do have the Win 7 disc. I'm hoping the USB key will work.

 

[Moltuae]

If it doesn't work, do you have another desktop/laptop there you can put the Dell's HDD/SSD in? If you do, you could try pre-installing Windows 7 onto the HDD/SSD using another computer, then Sysprep it before putting it back into the Dell machine.

 

[LABFE]

If it doesn't work, do you have another desktop/laptop there you can put the Dell's HDD/SSD in? If you do, you could try pre-installing Windows 7 onto the HDD/SSD using another computer, then Sysprep it before putting it back into the Dell machine.

I do have a laptop where I could do that. I've heard of Sysprep, but no experience using it. Would it take me very long to figure out?

 

[Adept PC Repair]

I know I'm a bit lazy with the reply as I can't actually remember what it's called to search for it and refer to it. Microsoft have made some large update which you are able to slipstream with Windows 7 iso's. It contains all major updates (resolves windows update issues) as well as bundling a load of new drivers. Worth a shot to just build the iso based on that?

I haven't done it myself and I still install 100+ updates each fresh install.

 

[Moltuae]

I do have a laptop where I could do that. I've heard of Sysprep, but no experience using it. Would it take me very long to figure out?

There's really nothing more to it than running it and setting a couple of options:
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/the-system-preparation-tool-sysprep-in-microsoft-windows-7

 

[GTP]

Is this a "Skylake" processor? Plug the USB into a USB 2.0 port (Not USB 3.0)
The bootable USB key option may still not work. I've had this plenty of times. The "missing" files are the Intel Rapid Storage Technology and Management Console. Download them and unpack to the USB key and browse to them when prompted.
Otherwise your other option is to acquire an external USB DVD (only about $25) and use the Win 7 disk
https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/kb/2755139

 

[LABFE]

Is this a "Skylake" processor? Plug the USB into a USB 2.0 port (Not USB 3.0)
The bootable USB key option may still not work. I've had this plenty of times. The "missing" files are the Intel Rapid Storage Technology and Management Console. Download them and unpack to the USB key and browse to them when prompted.
Otherwise your other option is to acquire an external USB DVD (only about $25) and use the Win 7 disk
https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/kb/2755139

Thanks for that information. Would this be what I'm looking for? https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/55005/Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Intel-RST-

 

[GTP]

Yes,

Try here: http://www.dell.com/support/home/au/en/aubsdt1/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=D60VM

and here: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25165/Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Intel-RST-RAID-Driver

 

[LABFE]

Yes,

Try here: http://www.dell.com/support/home/au/en/aubsdt1/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=D60VM

and here: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25165/Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Intel-RST-RAID-Driver

Awesome!

 

[LABFE]

Is this a "Skylake" processor? Plug the USB into a USB 2.0 port (Not USB 3.0)
The bootable USB key option may still not work. I've had this plenty of times. The "missing" files are the Intel Rapid Storage Technology and Management Console. Download them and unpack to the USB key and browse to them when prompted.
Otherwise your other option is to acquire an external USB DVD (only about $25) and use the Win 7 disk
https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/kb/2755139

Is there a trick as to where you place the file on the USB key? I've tried to place it in a new folder I created and also by itself, but when I'm at the screen to "browse" to the driver I only have options for "OS (C)" and "Boot (X)" both under "Computer."

*Anyone is welcome to attempt to answer this as I'm in the middle of an installation right now.

Do you have to do something special to sort of inject it to the key/bootable disk?

 

[LABFE]

Anyone know what to do here? I'm dead in the water until I figure it out.

I'm currently attempting to add the drivers to the iso, but looks like will take some time so if anyone knows of a faster way of doing this I'd appreciate it.

 

[LABFE]

Bump

 

[LABFE]

Might even need to use tools like the Windows Automated Installation Toolkit to slipstream the drviers onto the media though you can probably pull them in via a memory stick within the installer.

Any ideas on how to pull them in on the stick within the installer? That's what I'm attempting to do now, but with no luck.

 

[LABFE]

I know I'm a bit lazy with the reply as I can't actually remember what it's called to search for it and refer to it. Microsoft have made some large update which you are able to slipstream with Windows 7 iso's. It contains all major updates (resolves windows update issues) as well as bundling a load of new drivers. Worth a shot to just build the iso based on that?

I haven't done it myself and I still install 100+ updates each fresh install.

I think that's a good suggestion. I just found an article about it and I'm beginning to work on it. Thanks.

Here is what Adept PC Repair was speaking of if anyone else would like to check it out:

http://www.howtogeek.com/255540/the...eed-how-to-slipstream-the-convenience-rollup/