Question Windows 7 won't install on MSI X470 gaming Plus Max

jamesdsimone

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Dec 21, 2015
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I have been trying to install Window 7 for a Win/Linux dual boot system. I tried partitioning the Windows boot drive GPT and installing in UEFI mode but I keep getting an error message that Windows can't find or install a valid partition. As far as I can tell secure boot is disabled. I partitioned the drive with another one of my computers before installing it in the current machine. The boot drive is a WD 750GB black drive.
 

daveybrat

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Windows 7 isn't compatible with Ryzen hardware. And even if you could get it installed you'd have no driver support for the motherboard.
 

jamesdsimone

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Dec 21, 2015
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Windows 7 isn't compatible with Ryzen hardware. And even if you could get it installed you'd have no driver support for the motherboard.
I have already confirmed that the MSI X470 Gaming Max Plus has Windows 7 drivers and I have seen multiple people running it on this MB while looking for the solution for this problem.

 

jamesdsimone

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Got Win7 installed. I haven't installed the drivers yet I have 2 750GB drives. I partition both of them MBR. I am installing Win7 on one and Linux on the other. When I booted from the install USB drive the drive I had been trying to install too was listed as having a primary partition but the other which was previously partitioned ext4 was listed as system. Installed to that drive without a problem.
 

Shmee

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I suppose you could, but why?
 

Shmee

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1. Run Windows 7 on a Ryzen system in 2023?
2. Booting from a HDD?
 

jamesdsimone

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Dec 21, 2015
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1. Run Windows 7 on a Ryzen system in 2023?
2. Booting from a HDD?
I have the hard drives and a copy of Win7. Win7 is compatible with most everything I plan on running. I hate Win10, it's malware infested POS. I use it for the one piece of software I need for work. Win7 is strictly for gaming. I do all my serious computing with Linux hence the dual boot system.
 

Shmee

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I can understand the sentiment about Windows 10/11, and wanting to stick with Windows 7, but I was under the impression that Steam, as well as some games in general, wouldn't even run on Windows 7 anymore. I am sure that there are many that will, but I figure there are many that won't.

Still, why use an older spinning HDD? And as a boot drive? Both Linux and Windows 7 have support for AHCI and TRIM, so SSD usage is pretty standard for these. Even back in the day when Windows 7 was young, many people including myself used an SSD as their Windows boot drive.

You could even run an NVMe SSD with those choices. Most Linux support NVMe without issue, and even Windows 7 can use NVMe drives with drivers and the hot fix.
 
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jamesdsimone

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Dec 21, 2015
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I can understand the sentiment about Windows 10/11, and wanting to stick with Windows 7, but I was under the impression that Steam, as well as some games in general, wouldn't even run on Windows 7 anymore. I am sure that there are many that will, but I figure there are many that won't.

Still, why use an older spinning HDD? And as a boot drive? Both Linux and Windows 7 have support for AHCI and TRIM, so SSD usage is pretty standard for these. Even back in the day when Windows 7 was young, many people including myself used an SSD as their Windows boot drive.

You could even run an NVMe SSD with those choices. Most Linux support NVMe without issue, and even Windows 7 can use NVMe drives with drivers and the hot fix.
I don't use steam so don't care about that limitation. I already have the hard drives. Why should I spend more money on more drives? I built this system from an older FX8350 that I converted to a file server. I reused the case/power supply/hard drives. I can upgrade later if I decide too. I spent the money on a video card instead.
 

right_to_know

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Nov 19, 2015
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I can understand the sentiment about Windows 10/11, and wanting to stick with Windows 7, but I was under the impression that Steam, as well as some games in general, wouldn't even run on Windows 7 anymore. I am sure that there are many that will, but I figure there are m
Maybe people in that situation will liberate all thier steam games before that date plus HDD are cheaper for larger storage capacity.If they had spare cash for a SSD