7010 MT Win10 Pro Install on 250GB SSD

Question

If this shows as one big pgh., it shouldn't.  I also edited in desktop mode (from my phone).  It shows as normal if I'm signed out.   Win10 install went smooth (around 10min.) once I finally had it going.  Must partition to GPT, not MBR.  Once I corrected that, Win10 didn't want to install to the created partition.  So with the format Window (automatically pops up) from the Win10 DVD, I had to delete volume, then click format to let it do its the thing with creating partitions.  Then it says partitions aren't in the right order when clicking on Next. It asks 'Install anyway?'  You bet.  Used NTFS format by the way.  Hopefully I worded all that alright.  I don't format drives everyday.   I just used the product key that came with my DVD to make sure that wasn't a hiccup since it took me a few tries to get started.   Luckily, neither Win10 and MS Office has asked me to activate online (not yet anyway), then block features until I do.  I'm sure because PC already had those 2.  I've been having WiFi issues.   I'm happy that the WD SSD made the PC as fast as new 3070 SFF's at the library, which may also have SSD's for all I know.  Besides speeding up the system, lag time when desktop appears is no longer.  Painfully slow restarts are now quick.   It was a little more exciting when I added RAM and SSD to previous 755, because it was slower to begin with.  But I couldn't be happier with my 7010 now that I finally got around to putting an SSD in it.   One of my reasons for reloading is because I thought, and an engineer that helped me, Win10 was blocking internet even with strong WiFi signal.  Turns out to be hotspot from my newer phone, which is finally ruled out.

speedstep · Answer

Speculation will lead to bad advice.

MBR for drives < 2TB, and GPT for drives > 2TB. You cannot choose GPT without a UEFI BIOS.

Legacy MBR is NOT an option for newer models EVER.

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000125414

Legacy MBR booting is limited to 2TB and systems that do not have CLASS 2.3.1 UEFI.

Newer systems from ALL VENDORS past Skylake 2015 will be GPT UEFI only and WINDOWS 10 64 bit only.

In regards to 3010 7010 9010 depends on which BIOS VERSION.

Older models with Class 1 bios do not have GPT or secure boot.

Newer bios requires secure boot off for non dell cards like network, storage, video, audio, etc.

bradthetechnut · Answer

User experience may vary. This is a brand new SSD. Also, formatting wipes out previous files and partitions. This was only my 2nd time loading Win10.

I used to think it was MBR for drives < 2TB, and GPT for drives > 2TB. But nope, it is GPT for UEFI. I don't quite remember which one I used on my previous 755, could've been GPT.

I still use HDD for music storage.

redxps630 · Answer

Re: Win10 install went smooth (around 10min.) once I finally had it going. Must partition to GPT, not MBR. Once I corrected that, Win10 didn't want to install to the created partition. So with the format Window (automatically pops up) from the Win10 DVD, I had to delete volume, then click format to let it do its the thing with creating partitions. Then it says partitions aren't in the right order when clicking on Next. It asks "Install anyway?" You bet. Used NTFS format by the way. Hopefully I worded all that alright. I don't format drives everyday.

I had installed win 10 for 50-100 times but never had to choose partition scheme manually.

I always deleted all previous partition and then create new, format, click enter. Windows 10 never told me what partition scheme it used.

most of my install were in legacy mode but a few more recent in uefi. I just learned only gpt partition possible in uefi.

bradthetechnut · Answer

Anybody can see the full quote - 'I used to think it was MBR for drives < 2TB, and GPT for drives > 2TB.'  That is not 'speculation leading to bad advice.'  Just a mere snippet taken out of context so you think you can say 'bad advice.'

bradthetechnut · Answer

I wanted to note that when I loaded Win10 on my previous 755 with Legacy BIOS, the same Win10 DVD didn't find it necessary to repartition, and therefore didn't automatically make a recovery partition. I don't remember if the partition window popped up.

On the 7010, I assigned drive letter B to the SSD. (May be I didn't need to?) I wanted to make sure the PC saw it when loading and my C drive was still in it using to format SSD. When Win10 DVD repartitioned SSD, it gave it drive letter C.

speedstep · Answer

INTEL and Microsoft learned from Apple that you can force users to buy new stuff by preventing them from installing older software on the latest hardware.

MBR is legacy and goes all the way back to MSDOS.

Unable To Boot In Legacy MBR Mode on newer than skylake systems.

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000125414/

Booting GPT Partitions beyond 2TB requires 64 bit os, cpu and UEFI Class 2.3.1 or higher bios.

Legacy mode is over 30 years old going back to MSDOS and some legacy hardware (like GT320) and systems (like XP/WIN7) only support Legacy mode. OLDER motherboards also allow users to switch to Legacy+UEFI CSM compatibility mode.

GPT REQUIRES UEFI. This is also why systems past skylake are WIN10 only 64 bit only with NO CSM or MSDOS VESA video mode 103.

https://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/beyond-2tb/

There are no partitions that are MBR that are greater than 2TB.

7010 models have 2 kinds of bios so the version matters.

Legacy booting is Windows 7 or earlier.

UEFI GPT is not supported for booting windows 7.

People kept trying to install 32 bit OS and Legacy MBR so they changed the SOC to be 64 bit only windows 10 only. Even windows 8.0 is EOL EOS.

No more patches or drivers etc.

Systems past Skylake 2015 are 64 bit only windows 10 only. All vendors adhere to this because thats what INTEL and Microsoft want. Apple's response to this was to make all their OS past Mojave 64 bit only. When INTEL tried to take over UEFI apple changed their processors to ARM with Rosetta translation back to 32 bit X86 apps.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211861

Rosetta 2 works in the background whenever you use an app built only for Mac computers with an Intel processor. It automatically translates the app for use with Apple silicon.

Apple's transition to Macs with proprietary ARM chips is now official. Running 10 on macs now requires the ARM version.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/arm/

Windows 7 Skylake DVD from Dell AKA SP2

bradthetechnut · Answer

One little update. I said: Luckily, neither Win10 and MS Office has asked me to activate online (not yet anyway), then block features until I do. I'm sure because PC already had those 2. I've been having WiFi issues.

Upon putting PC online, I did have to reactivate Win10. And that was it for that. Product key was entered when I loaded it.

MS Office asked for Product Key. I used the same one as the last time I loaded it on same PC.

Optiplex Desktops

7010 MT Win10 Pro Install on 250GB SSD

Unable To Boot In Legacy MBR Mode on newer than skylake systems.

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