Intel's new Skylake CPU removes support for USB based Win 7 install

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

We have a pretty huge leak today with lots of new details on Intel’s upcoming Skylake processors. To begin with, Microsoft is removing support for the EHCI host controller (USB 2.0 spec) and keeping only the xHCI host controller spec (also known as the universal USB 3.0 specification). While the USB 3.0 spec is backward compatible with most USB 2.0 and 1.0 functions, installing windows 7 via USB will not be one of them (source: EXPReview).

It also notes in the article

You might be thinking that one can always take the bootable DVD route and even though research indicates that dependence on optical drives is diminishing by the second, it has its own caveats. You better hope that your motherboard has a PS/2 port because even while installing from a DVD, the USB ports wont work (during the install setup).

Nice fancy way for us to be forced to Windows 8 if we want Skylake. It explains why in the second paragraph.

Source

 

[rtwjunkie]

It also notes in the article

Nice fancy way for us to be forced to Windows 8 if we want Skylake. It explains why in the second paragraph.

Source

Soooo, how does this force us to W8, because my 8.1 is on a DVD?

 

[GreiverBlade]

It also notes in the article

Nice fancy way for us to be forced to Windows 8 if we want Skylake. It explains why in the second paragraph.

Source

nah Windows 10 will be here when skylake hit the market (hopefully ...) even if it's a purely theoretical assumption from me ...

to be sure i just checked the IO port of my MVIIR ... well still has a mouse/keyboard combined PS/2 port pfeewww i'm saved ... oh wait ... the Z97 is only Broadwell compatible not Skylake (well ... it's not like Broadwell will launch after Skylake ... )

 

[Ferrum Master]

Who cares really. If you are geek enough and wanting an EOL OS, then you have lying around an PCIE USB controller or just put the installation medium on another SATA drive/ODM and write the boot sector on it and automate the installation. I always make a preactivated install medium with my tokens just for my PC's thus not triggering online activation counts up.

The seconds it can be patched out using DISM probably too.

 

[Blue-Knight]

Intel's new Skylake CPU removes support for USB based Win 7 install

Nice. Now how will I install my operating systems!? I have only an USB DVD drive.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

No Skylake system will ship with Windows 7 so...this is like Post Turtle. It couldn't get there itself...someone had to put it there:

Please leave the turtle on the ground...where it belongs.

 

[Batou1986]

This article is poorly worded and confused me a bit a first, Microsoft isn't doing anything different its intel being a shit.
It should read Intel is removing USB2.0 controller's from its chipsets and Windows 7 doesn't have native USB3.0 support which could cause a problem for some users.
I have a feeling all the board mfg will include a legacy usb 2.0 chipset the same way we see PS2 ports on some boards today.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Well it ain't the first time like that...

Hassle with F6 SATA controllers during XP times...(nlite was a must) XP without SP1 didn't detect USB's also normally... NT6 scrapped all video drivers, direct sound.

To be honest... Windows 7 is like Win95OSR2 and the Windows 10 is like 98SE... it actually hasn't changed a bit how M$ works and how things evolve.

If you want power - use Linux and compile everything yourself.

Where it belongs.

Yeah this should be in your garage soon....

 

[Blue-Knight]

Microsoft isn't doing anything different its intel being a shit.

I believe Microsoft will do everything they can to force their users to use their latest products. If Microsoft is involved or not, I do not know. But I would not doubt or be surprised if it is.

It should read Intel is removing USB2.0 controller's from its chipsets and Windows 7 doesn't have native USB3.0 support which could cause a problem for some users.

Then there is no problem, I thought it was something worse when I read the topic's title.

I have a feeling all the board mfg will include a legacy usb 2.0 chipset the same way we see PS2 ports on some boards today.

I hope so.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

It shouldn't be too hard for someone to create a Windows 7 ISO with a generic Microsoft USB3 driver.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Soooo, how does this force us to W8, because my 8.1 is on a DVD?

Ill answer your quote with another quote:

You might be thinking that one can always take the bootable DVD route and even though research indicates that dependence on optical drives is diminishing by the second, it has its own caveats. You better hope that your motherboard has a PS/2 port because even while installing from a DVD, the USB ports wont work (during the install setup). If you have just one PS/2 port you will have to switch your PS/2 based mouse and keyboard as required through the entire process. All this means that Windows 7 will be very very troublesome for people to install and in most of the cases, people will consider it not worth the effort. Even if you do get it to work, the lack of EHCI means there might be unforeseen compatibility issues in the future. Effectively, from Skylake, and thanks to Intel’s spec upgrade, Windows 7 is now officially an obsolete OS.

Nice. Now how will I install my operating systems!? I have only an USB DVD drive.

Install your OS's by not having a Skylake motherboard unfortunately.

If you want power - use Linux and compile everything yourself.

Fuck that. I want one OS to do it all. Not dual boot Windows/Linux so I can play games without hassle of using WINE.

Then there is no problem, I thought it was something worse when I read the topic's title.

Only problem is using USB to install anything on skylake motherboards. USB2.0 and 1.1 wont even work from my understanding. USB3.0 cant work because Windows 7 doesnt support USB3.0 by default.

It shouldn't be too hard for someone to create a Windows 7 ISO with a generic Microsoft USB3 driver.

Ive tried to bake it into my installs wit no success.

On a side note, I hate how EVERYTHING is updating to look more like windows 8/10. I hate the style so much. Onstar just did it with their mobile app and it's like 50 steps in the opposite direction.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Fuck that. I want one OS to do it all. Not dual boot Windows/Linux so I can play games without hassle of using WINE.

, It ain't that bad... if the drivers weren't that bad and STEAM is really pushing things up... Linux keeps you on the edge, like getting used to borking things up and fixing them and the endless cycle of it

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

, It ain't that bad... if the drivers weren't that bad and STEAM is really pushing things up... Linux keeps you on the edge, like getting used to borking things up and fixing them and the endless cycle of it

Ill give steam props for sure. They're making sure gaming is accessible on all PC platforms. But drivers blow, and it's just not worth the hassle for me.

 

[ChevyOwner]

I don't see anything that would block a wds or network install.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

I don't see anything that would block a wds or network install.

network install will work if you have ps/2 mice/keyboard. USB2.0 isnt supported during windows setup on skylake motherboards. Though it is supported after the OS is installed. That is where the problem is.

 

[ChevyOwner]

network install will work if you have ps/2 mice/keyboard. USB2.0 isnt supported during windows setup on skylake motherboards. Though it is supported after the OS is installed. That is where the problem is.

You don't need a keyboard for this, but you can setup it up for that if you really want to.
This is mainly what I was referring to.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Deployment_Services

 

[Batou1986]

Actually I don't understand another thing about this article
My USB3.0 ports work fine during bios and during win7 install from USB
Isn't xHIC and EHIC controlled by the bios most of the time ?
I Know for a fact the UEFI on my Zotac APU box has options to control the E/x HCI handoff to the OS

 

[rtwjunkie]

Actually I don't understand another thing about this article
My USB3.0 ports work fine during bios and during win7 install from USB
Isn't xHIC and EHIC controlled by the bios most of the time ?
I Know for a fact the UEFI on my Zotac APU box has options to control the E/x HCI handoff to the OS

Come to think of it, I was able to turn on USB 3.0 on my Z68 in UEFI BIOS prior to install of Windows when I had Windows 7.

 

[newtekie1]

We're freaking out about requiring the motherboard manufacturer to include a $2 controller on their boards?

Honestly, I don't see the point in Intel wasting die space on a EHCI controller when the xHCI controller does the same things and then some. An old OS not supporting the xHCI controller during install can't really be blamed on Intel, and since xHCI didn't exist when Microsoft made Win7 it can't really be blamed on Microsoft either.

 

[Blue-Knight]

USB2.0 and 1.1 wont even work from my understanding.

WHAT!? You mean I will not be able to use my USB 2.0 devices anymore!?

Please, tell me it is not true. But tell me the truth.

EDIT:
Since USB 3.0 is backward/forward compatible with USB 2.0 then it means I could use my 2.0 devices on USB 3.0 port if available.

If that is true, then there is no problem.

 

[Schmuckley]

All I know is there better be XP support.
I don't care if it's backchannels or what..
No XP/Win7 support =fail.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

WHAT!? You mean I will not be able to use my USB 2.0 devices anymore!?

Please, tell me it is not true. But tell me the truth.

EDIT:
Since USB 3.0 is backward/forward compatible with USB 2.0 then it means I could use my 2.0 devices on USB 3.0 port if available.

If that is true, then there is no problem.

The problem is not having that support during the initial windows setup process for USB2.0. But afterwards once you are on your physical desktop, there are no issues. Even if USB 3.0 is backwards compatible, the USB 2.0 base driver wont be there.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Well it ain't the first time like that...

Hassle with F6 SATA controllers during XP times...(nlite was a must) XP without SP1 didn't detect USB's also normally... NT6 scrapped all video drivers, direct sound.

To be honest... Windows 7 is like Win95OSR2 and the Windows 10 is like 98SE... it actually hasn't changed a bit how M$ works and how things evolve.

If you want power - use Linux and compile everything yourself.



Yeah this should be in your garage soon....

Can't wait to drive that in Forza 6.

 

[Blue-Knight]

This article is poorly worded and confused me a bit a first, Microsoft isn't doing anything different its intel being a shit.
It should read Intel is removing USB2.0 controller's from its chipsets and Windows 7 doesn't have native USB3.0 support

Then why Microsoft can not make it support USB 3.0 then?

If that is the problem then Microsoft could still get a solution for this situation. They are being very bad if they do not.

Spoiler: Advice

I guess it is time to change to an operating system that will give you freedom! Freedom of choice, freedom of *.

 

[cadaveca]

All I know is there better be XP support.
I don't care if it's backchannels or what..
No XP/Win7 support =fail.

Wanting new hardware, but not new OS, to me, is fail. I 100% support the idea that if you want new hardware, you gotta buy a new OS, too. Running software from 5 years ago on new hardware is just more work for the OS maker, and that takes resources away from them doing things right in the first place. I'd much rather see investment in the future, rather than the past. And looking for old software to work old hardware is simply that... investing in the past.

WinXP is 14 years old. Windows 7 is 6 years old. Both are dinosaurs in the hardware world, so if you want to run legacy software, you should run it on legacy hardware.