ASUS P8Z77-V Failure to Boot into Win 8

[trclac]

I have two identical computers, both with the ASUS P8Z77-V. One has never had an issue booting into Win 8 Pro 64-bit. The other starts loading Win 8 (the little wheel on the load screen "spins"), but then simply stops, and does nothing else. In order to load Win 8 on this machine, I need to go into BIOS and force boot it from the SSD it's on. My other computer has never had this problem.

I am therefore thinking this is a MB issue, as I have swapped out the SSD on the machine on which this occurs, and I continue to get the same results.

I purchased the MB in Sept 12, so it's still under warranty, but does anyone think this could be anything other than a defective MB? Note I have loaded and reloaded all versions of the BIOS software, and the problem eventually recurs -- but only on this single computer. Its "twin" works fine.

Thanks.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

I have two identical computers, both with the ASUS P8Z77-V. One has never had an issue booting into Win 8 Pro 64-bit. The other starts loading Win 8 (the little wheel on the load screen "spins"), but then simply stops, and does nothing else. In order to load Win 8 on this machine, I need to go into BIOS and force boot it from the SSD it's on. My other computer has never had this problem.

I am therefore thinking this is a MB issue, as I have swapped out the SSD on the machine on which this occurs, and I continue to get the same results.

I purchased the MB in Sept 12, so it's still under warranty, but does anyone think this could be anything other than a defective MB? Note I have loaded and reloaded all versions of the BIOS software, and the problem eventually recurs -- but only on this single computer. Its "twin" works fine.

Thanks.

Have you converted the Bios files to CAPS from ROM with the renamer?http://support.asus.com/download.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=1&s=39&m=P8Z77-V&os=&hashedid=ABep6fu3PbH0d2BW

 

[trclac]

Have you converted the Bios files to CAPS from ROM with the renamer?http://support.asus.com/download.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=1&s=39&m=P8Z77-V&os=&hashedid=ABep6fu3PbH0d2BW

No, I've never tried that. This issue seems like it would be tied to a bug in the BIOS, but given the same computer I built with the same parts and same BIOS works fine, the bug theory doesn't seem right. I therefore thought this must be an issue with the mobo itself.

Thanks.

 

[bankster55]

Bios renaming is only for X79 mobo

If the SSD was new, you prob made it GPT during Win 8 install, not MBR
GPT will not boot thru any non GPT - like a DVD
So try setting it first boot in bios
The later Z77 bios have options to boot either MBR or GPT or GPT first or MBR first
Or you could reinstall Win 8 picking non UEFI DVD selection with bios boot override on boot page , or NTFS USB install not FAT32

 

[trclac]

Bios renaming is only for X79 mobo

If the SSD was new, you prob made it GPT during Win 8 install, not MBR
GPT will not boot thru any non GPT - like a DVD
So try setting it first boot in bios
The later Z77 bios have options to boot either MBR or GPT or GPT first or MBR first
Or you could reinstall Win 8 picking non UEFI DVD selection with bios boot override on boot page , or NTFS USB install not FAT32

Wow ... after building about a dozen computers, I thought I was a bit of an expert, but this is over my head. Is there any way you can PM me and walk me through this? Note that the SSD was new, and a clean version of Win 8 Pro 64 was loaded onto it. So it sounds like your approach may be the solution. I just need to better understand it.

Many thanks!

 

[bankster55]

F8 bootup (or Win INSTALL MODE) choice window

Because of the issues you are having ASUS added these options

Edit:
GPT is actually better than MBR, especially for Win 8, so you are fine as is, just have to reorient boot config.
But if you wish to reinstall Win 8 as MSDOS MBR, you will have to wipe the drive first, or the new install will error out.

 

[trclac]

F8 bootup (or Win INSTALL MODE) choice window

Because of the issues you are having ASUS added these options

Edit:
GPT is actually better than MBR, especially for Win 8, so you are fine as is, just have to reorient boot config.
But if you wish to reinstall Win 8 as MSDOS MBR, you will have to wipe the drive first, or the new install will error out.

Thanks. So what I need to do is restore the boot config for the SSD, which I assume I can do from the Win 8 installation disk? If that's all, it sounds simple enough.

Note I tried to use the Win 8 disk's Windows "Refresh" option, and that didn't do anything.

Finally, the SSD is the Samsung 840 Pro 512GB, with the latest FW.

Thanks!

 

[bankster55]

No, you dont have to do anything in Win 8
You said you CAN get into Win 8 after you screw around. Right?
Its fully installed, right?

If so, its the bios settings.
If you have fully installed Win 8 in GPT mode, you will have a winbootmanager option for the SSD drive on the boot page.
SSD must be placed first in boot order, and wbm option has to be selected unless you set CSM options to auto boot UEFI first, UEFI only. Then the bios will ignore MBR bootable/non bootable drives wherever they are in the order.

If you have no winbootmanager option for the SSD, then you can try the Win 8 DVD startup repair tool, that is of course IF you have Win 8 installed completely.

 

[trclac]

No, you dont have to do anything in Win 8
You said you CAN get into Win 8 after you screw around. Right?
Its fully installed, right?

If so, its the bios settings.
If you have fully installed Win 8 in GPT mode, you will have a winbootmanager option for the SSD drive on the boot page.
SSD must be placed first in boot order, and wbm option has to be selected unless you set CSM options to auto boot UEFI first, UEFI only. Then the bios will ignore MBR bootable/non bootable drives wherever they are in the order.

If you have no winbootmanager option for the SSD, then you can try the Win 8 DVD startup repair tool, that is of course IF you have Win 8 installed completely.

Windows 8 is fully installed, and I can get into it if I select force start from Samsung Pro 840. I checked, and I do not see the winbootmanager option you mention in the BIOS. I have also tried the repair tool on the disk, and it failed.

I am going to go back and make sure that all the settings in my BIOS match the screen shots you posted.

 

[trclac]

I've been messing with this all night. No luck. I'm just going to wipe the Samsung Pro 840 and do a clean install. Since UEFI and Win 8 64 Pro are apparently different animals than all the other systems I have built, can you provide me with a step by step guide to installing on this mobo? I am adjusting the BIOS as you recommend, but any specific steps in performing a clean install of Win 8 on an SSD with this mobo would be GREATLY appreciated. I never even had this much trouble with the first computer I built several years ago!

Thank you very much in advance!

 

[bankster55]

Do you want GPT or MBR install?
How are you going to wipe the SSD?
Is it a factory DVD or something you burned?
If burned, what speed did you use?
Did you use F6 add driver to add Intel RST drivers during install?
Is it full disk or upgrade, OEM/Pro or basic
Where did you get it?
So exact same equip as mobo that boots?
Need to know exact RAM in use
Same exact Win 8 DVD?

Just curious: Does diskmanager now show an efi.sys partition?

 

[trclac]

I plan to wipe the drive via the format option during the install process.

As for MBR or GPT, I'm not sure it makes a difference. Probably stick with the one I've used over the years -- MBR.

 

[trclac]

Oh, and it's an OEM factory DVD I purchased from newegg (I believe).

 

[bankster55]

Well, I just threw in an old HDD and wiped it (clean cmd in cmd prompt/diskpart). I then did a convert gpt command and set the CSM to UEFI boot/UEFI only, installed Win 8 (Pro) and guess what - it installed as MBR anyway.
I remembered that back in Oct when I bought my first Win 8 Pro DVD from Amazon I made a few GPT installs for customers, and everything went fine - as expected
This time it would only go MBR no matter what I did.
I noticed I only had the one choice for booting mode for the DVD - MBR, but since Win 8 is UEFI by design I didnt worry about it. However as it turns out I forgot that I had made several copies of the "master Win 8" from Amazon so I wouldnt wear out the original, and these were the ones I used.

So, in desperation I dug out my original disk, booted, and it gave me the two mode options once again. My copies were made on Verbatim -R MIT (made in taiwan) blanks with latest UltraIso at 8X DAO no verify. So then I made another copy, this time with 4X +R Verbatim MIT and verify and TAO. Now this copy also gave me the two boot mode options. I also changed secure boot in bios to "Other O/S". I did this because of the excellent info on the ROG forum about all the new UEFI bios settings. And this time everything went perfect as GPT.
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?30520-RAMPAGE-Windows-8-7-UEFI-Installation-Guide

I see that I can install as GPT mode still with USB install (FAT32 format) and modification of files.

Another wasted day - heh
Put in your DVD drive and SSD only and 2 sticks only of RAM (in 2 blue slots) no faster than DDR3 1600 1.5V and set CSM in bios to auto.
Put in Win 8 DVD and boot to it, repair my computer and go to troubleshoot/options/cmd prompt
then type:
diskpart
list disk
select disk 0 (your SSD)
clean

then install Win 8 to SSD

Note that a lot of folks have had issues with bios 1805 (CPU voltages) and 1708, so I would go back to 1616 (use flashback)

Heres the tut for modding O/S ISO files for USB UEFI install
http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Glade I didn't get Windows 8! Looks like your in good hands.........

 

[trclac]

Well, I just threw in an old HDD and wiped it (clean cmd in cmd prompt/diskpart). I then did a convert gpt command and set the CSM to UEFI boot/UEFI only, installed Win 8 (Pro) and guess what - it installed as MBR anyway.
Suddenly I remembered Win 7 will not install as GPT UEFI starting with the bios of about 6-8 months ago. One has to do a file manipulation from the ISO and resaving it as modded.
I see that I can install as GPT mode still with USB install (FAT32 format) and modification of files.

So ignore everything I said so far - heh
Put in your DVD drive and SSD only and 2 sticks only of RAM (in 2 blue slots) no faster than DDR3 1600 1.5V and set CSM in bios to auto.
Put in Win 8 DVD and boot to it, repair my computer and go to troubleshoot/options/cmd prompt
then type:
diskpart
list disk
select disk 0 (your SSD)
clean

then install Win 8 to SSD

Note that a lot of folks have had issues with bios 1805 (CPU voltages) and 1708, so I would go back to 1616

Heres the tut for modding O/S ISO files for UEFI install
http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

Thanks! I will do this when I get home tonight. As for the BIOS version,I tend to agree. On the computer I'm having issues with, I never had a problem with 1616. I upgraded to 1708, and the trouble started. I downgraded to 1616, and it was fine again. I later upgraded to 1805 (not learning my lesson the first time), and, bam, trouble strikes again a few weeks later. I'm sticking with 1616. Funny thing is that on the "twin" system, 1805 is installed, and I've never had an issue with that build. Weird.

Anyway, thank you for all your guidance. Really appreciate it.

 

[bankster55]

Coincidentally, bios 1908 was released today, should be interesting to see how this one goes.

Its funny about 1708 and 1805 - some had smooth sailing, others had nothing but trouble. I had lots of issues with the CPU voltage going too high, but it eventually settled down.
http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx...id=1&model=P8Z77-V+PRO&page=1&SLanguage=en-us

Edit: After install check to make sure Intel RST is not the 2010 vers 8.XXXX Win 8 puts in. Currently I like 11.5 or 11.7 even tho 12.0 and 12.5 are avail. Also your SSD must be in an Intel SATA 6G port

 

[trclac]

Got it. Thanks. The SSD is plugged into an Intel SATA III port, not the Marvell port. Also, the so-called F6 procedure (loading the Intel drivers during install) is not required under Win 7 or 8, correct?

 

[bankster55]

As I said Win 8 which was released Aug 1 - 2012 installs a 2 year old RST. Why they didnt have a much later vers embedded - dont know. Perhaps to make it compatible with older systems. So definitely install the Intel chipset utility after install and reboot and then upgrade the RST.

Would be better here if you give me a complete equip list