Maximus XI Hero and Windows 7

[Feklar]

Since I can not see a forum for the XI I'm posting here. I have this motherboard and have now tried to install Windows 7 with no luck at all. Mouse and keyboard work in the bios but not in the OS. In fact just getting it to install required a ps/2 keyboard only since both would not work. There is no EZ Installer this time around and the installer for the Hero X didn't work either. Tried this with a usb stick, nope. Gets to the install screen, no mouse cursor or keyboard functionality. Using the DVD in an ODD through sata, nada. It appears that something is preventing the OS from recognizing any usb ports at all after install. If you look at the device manager the tree ends at system devices. The entire section of Universal Serial Bus controllers doesn't exist. Bizarre. All updates were installed as well as chipset drivers. Nada. I tried this with a 8700k and even a G5400 cpu

I even tried to install USB 3 drivers for win 7 and got an error message popup that said "This computer does not meet the minimum system requirements to install this program". Really? Crap. I know some will say just use Win 10 it's wunderbar but I tried it once and hated it. I'm sure I'm not the only person that will experience this but if anyone or an Asus rep has a solution I'd like to know. If there is no solution, hack or workaround then be for warned you will be disappointed. This would shut out many users I'm sure and the blocking of Win 7 installs is kind of a lousy way of doing it if that's the case.

[Nate152]

Hi Feklar

It's sure sounding like windows 7 is not supported on the z390 platform.

I'm not fond of the windows 10 interface either so what I do is install windows 10 then install the classic shell, this makes it look and feel like windows 7.

The only thing you have to install after installing windows 10 is the Realtek audio driver and update the graphics driver and you're all set.

[Feklar]

Yea Nate. Not fond of how it looks, updates that break things and have to be pulled, data collection etc. Besides it will only happen again in the next Windows version no doubt. I just wish it would have been more clear before I spent money on this Hero XI atx paper weight since Newegg doesn't offer refunds on these. Asus could have been a little more clear in my opinion. Lesson learned again.

[Nate152]

As far as I'm aware windows 10 is the last windows, I have no idea what they have planned after that. This last october update was surprisingly pretty good.

You might as well get windows 10, then install the classic shell.

http://www.classicshell.net/

[Feklar]

Which is the preferred version for the enthusiast? I always used win 7 pro. I not sure I will do it though. If Z390 is practically like Z370 why was Win 7 intentionally and permanently handicapped. I guess it's all about data collection and ad delivery. Guess that's the only way tech companies make money anymore. Blah. I'm glad I'm already 56 yrs old.

[Nate152]

Hahaha, I'm not far behind you.

I use my pc for gaming and windows 10 Home is all you need, here's a list of what's supported between windows 10 Home and Pro.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compare

[Feklar]

One last question, will my current storage ssd's simply plug in and be recognized and work or will I have to do some sort of ancient dance with beads and rattles before they work. Thanks Nate.

[Nate152]

They should be recognized as soon as you connect them and fire up your pc, you shouldn't have to do any dance with beads and rattles or anything special.

[Feklar]

That's good to know. I'm going to just build a second system with the Hero XI and Win 10 and the 9900k and keep my Hero X and 8086 with Win 7 in a different room. Thanks for the help.

[Nate152]

You're welcome Feklar !