M18x R2 UEFI rom: unable to install windows 7.

Hi!
I recently installed a SSD (corsair force gs 128gb) and re installed windows with my windows 7 CD. sata operation mode was set to RAID and I wasn't aware that I'd have to use AHCI sata mode. Also there were recommendations online to use a UEFI ROM instead of the old legacy ROM.
So today I decided to change the bios to UEFI and set sata op. mode to AHCI, and I popped the windows 7 DVD and started booting from it. the install however is stuck at the starting windows screen which shows up after windows loads setup files. Any suggestions?
Oh I also can't add existing drives in the UEFI ROM, and I'm guessing this is because the previous installation was in legacy mode. Is this correct?

Many thanks,
FC

 

Yes, this draconian filth (UEFI Secure Boot) isn't supported except with Windows 8 OS or newer. It adds no value for most users, so there is no reason for most users to make any attempt to use it. All you are doing is introducing functionality limitations and hindrances that don't otherwise exist. It's a shame that Alienware even offers this option... all it has done is cause problems for end users, especially with the new Haswell platform.

There is no benefit to using AHCI with Windows 7 or 8. Put it back to RAID and use Legacy mode. The system will function properly and not have those limitations.

 

I was able to boot into ACHI mode within minutes after I posted, and there was a significant boot time loss, but still wasn't able to try UEFI. Did this via some registry tweaks:
Set the "start" variable in
1.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlsSet\services\atapi
2.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlsSet\services\adpahci
to 0.
My guess is what this might have done, is instructed the OS not to load any sata operation drivers at startup, and hence when the bios was switched to AHCI the registry keys were reconfigured during startup to work in AHCI mode not RAID mode (I don't really know what RAID modes was doing anyway, as I didn't setup RAID.)

Also, I guess I wont try to use the UEFI Rom then, as you recommend, and also because a few other users have reported that the discrete graphics card wont be used because of lack of Vbios support for UEFI based ROM's (or something like this).

 

If I remember correctly, those registry tweaks enable the AHCI drivers to load. As Mr. Fox mentioned, there isn't really any benefit of running in AHCI. Running the BIOS in RAID mode does not mean you have a RAID array set up. If your drives aren't part of a RAID array, the drives function similar to AHCI. Intel recommends the BIOS be set to RAID, which is why they ship this way for single drive configurations.

 

Great advice, it's always better to run on RAID even if you don't actually have one. We send our PC's like that from factory most of the time.