Installing Win7 on Gigabyte Brix w/USB3.0

[decogaucho]

Recently purchased a Gigabyte Brix BXA8-5545, added 8Gb 1.35v sodimm and 240Gb msata drive. This mini-PC has only USB3.0 ports and HDMI.
I created a bootable USB with Win7 and attached a usb keyboard.
When I first boot I can get to the BIOS using the keyboard without any issues, but when I start to load the Win7 to start the build and it comes to the initial screen, the keyboard goes dead. I've tried several keyboards on several USB ports and on the boot/bios they all work.
My question is has anyone run into this isssue. I haven't tried installing Win8.1 yet and downgrading. If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate it.

 

[MrPickins]

Sounds like you need USB3 drivers for the ports to work in windows, and they are not included in the OS install disk.

Is there a bios option to utilize the USB controller in 2.0 mode until you finish your install?

 

[bononos]

I don't think its a usb3 driver issue.
Try and ask on the gigabyte forums:
http://www.gigabyte.us/gigabyte.aspx?s=101
And open a support ticket if you need to.

 

[MrPickins]

I don't think its a usb3 driver issue.

I say that because I had the same experience with a recent Haswell desktop build using a Gigabyte motherboard and the only way I could get USB input devices to work in the Win7 installer was via the (legacy) 2.0 ports. Plus, it's easy to try (if the bios even has the option to force USB 2.0 mode).

Another, more involved, option (with a different model Brix as an example):

http://codeabitwiser.com/2014/03/how-to-install-windows-7-with-only-usb-3-0-ports/

 

[Ketchup]

So is there not a legecy USB option in the BIOS?

 

[Martyprod]

Hi same issue except that i have a J1900 and so, it have usb 2 port.
i succeded to install win 7 on bios F4, then upgraded to bios F6, windows stopped working and was loading a repair page. i try to repaire it and ... no more USb kebyoard or mouse working or when i boot on windows or try to install windows 7 again. the keyboard is working perfectly fine in the bios.

no idea where the problem is. . if i plug at the installatin page of windows a mouse or keyboard, the light of the mouse turn on during 2 seconds and shut down.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

On the HP Stream mini you had to disable modern BIOS support (secure boot) and enable legacy support.

 

[Martyprod]

On the HP Stream mini you had to disable modern BIOS support (secure boot) and enable legacy support.

hi, thanks. there is the secure boot feature, i can disable it, but i'm afraid i already tried that. but i can try it again. is it for Win 10 or Win 7 ?
i installed windows 8 and it's working fine no issue, but it's the only OS.
Win 7 and 10 fail.

in the bios, unfortunatly, there is no "legacy support" . there is almost nothing in it in fact.

 

[Ketchup]

An article I found that may be of some help:
http://codeabitwiser.com/2014/03/how-to-install-windows-7-with-only-usb-3-0-ports/

 

[Martyprod]

An article I found that may be of some help:
http://codeabitwiser.com/2014/03/how-to-install-windows-7-with-only-usb-3-0-ports/

i tried this one but it didn't worked, and unfortunatly, the brix J1900 features two usb 2.0 ports, and one usb 3.0 ports, so it's not the issue !
as i plugged everything in the usb 2.0 ports.
when i'm on the installation page, i unplug the mouse, i plug in, the infrared light , work during one second and then turn off.. and stop working. so in my case, it's not a Usb 3.0 issue.

i have an another issue, i use a CRT LG 775FT as monitor, and if i want to install windows 10 i have an error. as soon as the installation first page screen appears. Error from the monitor, Frequence used are out of range of the ones the monitor can use.

certainly, during installation, Windows 10 with the Brix use a frequencies in VGA who is outside of the one that my monitor can use . as i'm getting a black screen, i can't install Windows 10 at all, or even try.

installing Win 10 on the same monitor but on my Pc had no issue at all in this matter !

any idea ?

 

[Ketchup]

I would guess drivers, in both cases. How to work around? That's a tough one.

This page has instructions for getting through the install with just a keyboard:
http://www.dodgycoder.net/2014/08/how-to-setup-gigabyte-brix-gb-bxbt-2807.html

 

[Martyprod]

I would guess drivers, in both cases. How to work around? That's a tough one.

This page has instructions for getting through the install with just a keyboard:
http://www.dodgycoder.net/2014/08/how-to-setup-gigabyte-brix-gb-bxbt-2807.html

yeah, still waiting the answer from gigabyte, and i must open a second ticket about the screen resolution while installing Windows 10 .
i have an old VGA LCD 17" 4/3 somewhere, not sure if it could work for just the boot of windows 10 or the installation. i don't know, i must try we never know. the only system working is Windows 8.1, and i really don't want to buy a 8.1 licence.

this : "Go through the Windows 7 setup. You can do this just fine with only a keyboard and no mouse" is not working for me, nothing works when i'm on the windows 7 page.

i really don't know what to do. it's now one week that i have the machine and only enjoyed it during 1 or 2 hours.
only 2 weeks left before the possibility to have a refund from amazon.
can't use my licence of Windows 7, can't upgrade it to Windows 10, lol.
all this is starting to be funny . so tired of this that i didn't turned it on since yesterday when i wrote my message here.

 

[rastabast79]

Hi,
I have exactly the same problem
did you solved it?
ty ^^

 

[rastabast79]

yeah, still waiting the answer from gigabyte, and i must open a second ticket about the screen resolution while installing Windows 10 .
i have an old VGA LCD 17" 4/3 somewhere, not sure if it could work for just the boot of windows 10 or the installation. i don't know, i must try we never know. the only system working is Windows 8.1, and i really don't want to buy a 8.1 licence.

this : "Go through the Windows 7 setup. You can do this just fine with only a keyboard and no mouse" is not working for me, nothing works when i'm on the windows 7 page.

i really don't know what to do. it's now one week that i have the machine and only enjoyed it during 1 or 2 hours.
only 2 weeks left before the possibility to have a refund from amazon.
can't use my licence of Windows 7, can't upgrade it to Windows 10, lol.
all this is starting to be funny . so tired of this that i didn't turned it on since yesterday when i wrote my message here.

exactly the same pb

 

[Martyprod]

Hi,
I have exactly the same problem
did you solved it?
ty ^^

No i didn't unfortunatly, i sent back the brick, hum the brix to Amazon for a refund. since then, i bought nothing.

i'm waiting review from the new Nuci7 Skylake... but i'm afraid of the noise of the fan ...

 

[John Connor]

I heard Linux Mint could allow you to work with USB 3.0.

Try slipstreaming the 3.0 drivers. http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/170454-windows-7-slipstream-usb-30-drivers/

If you're still having issues I would look over all the BIOS settings. Screen refresh rate, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-US..._cp_147_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1SFA16JF4Y75RXQ0BFNM

http://www.amazon.com/Inland-PS-2-K...&qid=1463227564&sr=1-2&keywords=ps+2+keyboard

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-PS-O...TF8&qid=1463227600&sr=1-1&keywords=ps+2+mouse

 

[nerp]

Why not run Windows 10? Windows 7 is old, slow, and not really supported. For a NUC device, it's ideal.

 

[WOOLLEY]

Recently purchased a Gigabyte Brix BXA8-5545, added 8Gb 1.35v sodimm and 240Gb msata drive. This mini-PC has only USB3.0 ports and HDMI.
I created a bootable USB with Win7 and attached a usb keyboard.
When I first boot I can get to the BIOS using the keyboard without any issues, but when I start to load the Win7 to start the build and it comes to the initial screen, the keyboard goes dead. I've tried several keyboards on several USB ports and on the boot/bios they all work.
My question is has anyone run into this isssue. I haven't tried installing Win8.1 yet and downgrading. If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate it.

hi there i had the same problem, old windows 7 do not have usb 3 drivers, download a newer copy of windows 7 and will work fine.

regards Fred