Z96J: Can't Install Windows 7

Do you have another W7 installation disk to try?

cheers ...

Under the new system installed vista windows 7 (XP proved more convenient to use such methods):

1, download windows 7 7057 ISO image (RC or RTM), with a virtual CD-ROM copy to non-C drive (eg D: \ 7057)
2, Copy D: \ 7057 folder in the Boot, EFI, sources and bootmgr folder under the root directory to C
3, copy D: \ 7057 \ boot under Bootsect.exe under the root directory to C
Part 2 need to obtain administrator privileges。

Looks like that laptop is not supported with win 7.. Check here ... Looks like the driver support goes up to vista 32bit... This generally means the laptops power interface won't interact with windows 7 so it won't load, or if it does, it will give you wierd shut down issues...

Just because it's not officially supported doesn't mean it won't work. I've been running Windows 7 on my Z71V (older than the Z96J) since the Beta and it works just fine.

Would the BIOS somehow lock out Windows 7 in this case?

cheers ...

I just thought of something - I seem to recall that there was something in the Intel 945 chipset that does not allow full 64-bit functionality. I would suggest installing the 32-bit version of Windows 7 and see how that works.

I am not saying it won't work because its not 'officially supported'... What I am saying is from past experience and using the beta and RC of win7 on older laptops, combined with driver support from the manufacturers website, windows 7 will not always load esp the 64bit version... The main thing I have found this is down to is ACPI... It was very noticable on ASUS products with the release of vista and thats why the ATK patch appeared and solved a lot of installation errors as well as shutdown/standby and hibernation issues...

I do know when a manufacturer wont officially support a product, workarounds become available, such as a hacked bios, newer drivers form the chipset manufacturer etc... etc...

What annoys me and this is directed at marketing, not anyone in general, is a new product like win7 is suddenly unleashed on the non-techie nation and they all think they need it, when clearly they don't - why pay $$$ for a piece of unnecessary software when you have a perfectly good working piece that basically comes free with any laptop or pre-built desktop... Update it and you enter the unknown as I have come across with all the win7 and vista issues (BTW there where very few when people upgraded from 98se to XP , I rarely saw an ME or 2k setup)... My advice is always save yourself the $$$, save yourself the potential loss of data and save yourself the heartache by sticking with what you have until you can afford the newer hardware to support the newer software...

And

If you are not sure if your setup supports a 64bit operating system, do some research and download a FREE, yes a FREE linux 64bit distro like Ubuntu, Kanotix etc and see if your system runs the live CD fine....

Yes, rant off........

No software or hardware is perfect, but as I said it is best to stick with what works and if that happens to be win7, great....