UX31A Fresh Win 7 Installation Questions

My UX31A 128 GB SSD's actual storage out-of-the-box is 69 GB and deleting bloatware alone won't make much of a difference so I wanted to do a fresh install but I have some questions as I'm confused about what to do regarding GPT/EFI etc.

-First step is to make the recovery disc so should I make the recovery disc using the tool included with Asus software or should I download the Windows 7 with SP1 image from here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-digitalriver-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html
-The USB which I put this image on, does it need to be formwatted with FAT32 and do I also have to include USB 3.0 drivers on the same USB stick?
-Which of the following options should I select:
Log into the BIOS. Go to the last page, use Boot Override to select "UEFI:Your USB"
--- If you do not want GPT partition, just select your USB Boot Override without "UEFI"
-Should I end up with 2 or 3 partitions?

 

Haven't done the re-installation yet but should I use a USB 2.0 disc to do it instead of 3.0 to avoid the driver problem?

Also, I noticed that when I got the laptop, it had 69 GB of free space. Since then, the only thing I've installed on it is Firefox + VLC + Windows Update because I plan to reformat it anyways but atm, it has 60 GB of free space instead of the original 69. Surely Windows Updates did not just take up 8 GB of space?

 

1. Either way will work. You will either get a factory image or a clean slate. It's your call.
2. Yes, format it for FAT32. You can get the USB 3.0 drivers later after Windows has installed. Since Windows 7 does not have native support for USB 3.0, it may be best to use a USB 2.0 drive.
3. Without UEFI will cause you to have to convert the disk to MBR I think, so you should opt for with UEFI.

I know Service Pack 1 alone for Win7 64-bit requires over 7 GB if installed as standalone, not including other updates after. If done through Windows Updates, then it's just over 1 GB for 64-bit.

 

^ Okay thanks for your answer. I'm gonna go for a clean slate reformat and not the factory image from Asus and I'll try to use a USB 2.0. From what you said, I should do it in UEFI mode.

So to do that, I would need to do these steps?

1. Put Windows 7 ISO on USB using Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool.
2. Pop the thumbdrive in. Turn it on. Hit F2 to BIOS.
3. Log into the BIOS. Go to the last page, use Boot Override to select "UEFI:Your USB"
4. Your Windows installation should start with UEFI mode.
5. At the time when "Choosing where to install Windows", wipe the disk.
6. Select NEW, create the partition, you should see 3 partition created. IF it is 2, you are not in the UEFI mode of the installation.
7. Proceed as usual.

Now my concern is with creating the bootable USB. Are there any different steps I need to take rather than downloading the image onto the USB in order to proceed with a GPT installation?

 

You'll need Secure Boot disabled if that is an option, as well. Did this come with Windows 8 from factory? Or Windows 7?

 

Hi there,

I also run into troubles installing Windows 7 on my new ASUS UX31A. The Ultrabook was shipped with Windows 8 and has two USB 3.0 ports (no USB 2.0 port).

I created a UEFI bootable Windows 7 USB installation stick. I disabled "Secure Boot" and "Fast Boot" within UEFI. However, the USB stick does not show up within the boot options. In order for the USB stick to show up I have to enable "Launch CSM". Only then I am able to boot from the USB stick and to install Windows 7.

To my understanding, it doesn't make sense to do a UEFI Win 7 installation enabling "Launch CSM", since using this mode there is running some kind of BIOS emulation in the background. I mean, what is the point of using UEFI if BIOS is emulated in the background... As for know, I end up not being able to use important features like Intel Rapid Start, since as far as I know this feature demands for the "Fast Boot" option to be enabled.

Has anyone succeeded in doing a proper UEFI Windows 7 installation WITHOUT enabling "Launch CSM"? If so, what is the procedure I have to follow?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

Edit: I just tried to work around this problem by enabling "Launch CSM" for installation of Windows 7 and by disabling it after the installation. However, the boot sequence gets stuck at the Windows 7 boot screen ("Windows 7 is starting") then. So this workaround doesn't seem to be adequate...