Have a Real Problem With Changing the BOOT from Legacy to UEFI

Hi

I'd appreciate some help with changing how my machine boots.

Soon I hope to install Windows 10 Pro onto a new hard drive.

The existing HD with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
(that I still need for a good 9 months yet) will be used via external USB adaptor.

The new hard drive to install Win10 on is a WD Blue 2.5" 2TB.

I've since read that the 2TB will not be fully used if the BIOS is using Legacy.
Not only that, but you lose data because of Legacy.

Also I would like to take advantage of more Partitions using UEFI.

BUT HERE'S MY PROBLEM

On my Motherboard - Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
Model N73SV (CPU 1)
Version 1.0

BIOS - Brand American Megatrends Inc.
Version N73SV.305
Date 18/05/2011

That I reach using F2 - IT SHOWS THAT: UEFI is disabled.

I thought that I could just Enable it - BUT I haven't tried that yet because I'm not ready to install Win10

And then a few weeks ago I read this - the only way to physically CHANGE/ENABLE "UEFI"
is to remove the CMOS battery.

So I brought a new battery and also new RAM.

Then I discovered that this machine is a real pig to reach the motherboard.

After I found out how to open it with no visible screws, I reached the RAM and Hard Drive bays
using YouTube help.

But then watching other YouTubes - "the only way to reach the Motherboard proper" say to clean the fan
or change the battery, that are simple jobs on a PC Tower - it means I have to somehow split the
ASUS N73SV Notebook casing.

But it gets worse - in fact it seems you have to split the monitor casing as well.

Can't be completely sure about splitting the monitor casing, because these videos are run at such a pace
it is difficult to know for sure.

So before I attempt to split the casing etc, is there any other way to physically TURN OFF/RESET THE MOTHERBOARD
without "shorting two point on the MB with say a paperclip or removing the battery?

So that I can change it, so it Boots using UEFI ???


Just another problem if I manage to change how it Boots.

Earlier I mentioned how I'm going to still use Windows 7 with an external USB adaptor.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS WITH BOOTING THIS DRIVE IF I DO MANAGE TO CHANGE TO UEFI ?

Because wont the Legacy Boot be embedded at the
start of the "now external drive" ?


LASTLY
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While I'm here, a few weeks ago I moved from Seven Forums that I always found it
easy to include a Thank You or SOLVED.

But with Ten Forums I couldn't find how to do that.
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Many thanks in advance.

Stephen

Just change the UEFI boot option to enabled.

Your N73SV Notepad is an Intel 2nd gereration. Is your BIOS updated to Version 306? ONLY update it using BIOS update tool.

If you install the Win 7 drive on an external enclosure you won't be able to boot it in Legacy or UEFI mode. Win 7 can't boot from USB. You will only be able to access it as a data drive.

UEFI and Legacy boot modes are completely different.

As your Win 7 was installed as Legacy, you can't set BIOS to work as UEFI. It will look for a UEFI - GPT disk, won't find it and won't boot.

And "the only way to physically CHANGE/ENABLE "UEFI" is to remove the CMOS battery" is fake. Don't do it.

For installing Win 10 on a new drive, remove the main battery (not the CMOS battery), remove the Win 7 drive and install the new SSD drive.
Attach the main battery, start the computer, enter BIOS, and then change the UEFI setting to UEFI, save and reboot.
Boot from the Win 10 installation disk as UEFI and do a Clean Install Windows 10 . When asked for the license key, insert the Win 7 Ultimate key from the COA stiker on your computer (under the battery?)

Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10

Asus have free tools on their website that you can do all sort of things like speed up cpu and set a lot of bios options from the app

Megahertz said:

As your Win 7 was installed as Legacy, you can't set BIOS to work as UEFI. It will look for a UEFI - GPT disk, won't find it and won't boot.

That is not entirely true. A GPT drive is not required for UEFI booting. The system partition would need to converted to FAT32, the proper boot files written to it, and if the FAT32 system partition was also marked as active the same drive can boot in either UEFI or legacy BIOS.

NavyLCDR said:

That is not entirely true. A GPT drive is not required for UEFI booting. The system partition would need to converted to FAT32, the proper boot files written to it, and if the FAT32 system partition was also marked as active the same drive can boot in either UEFI or legacy BIOS.

Yes, you're right. An example is a flash drive with Win 10 installation files.

I was referring to a Windows boot able drive.

Hi, I just want to aplogise for taking so long to say "Thanks for everyone's help".

Many thanks to: NavyLCDR - Megahertz - Samuria & Kyhi

I have a medical condition that can take me out for an afternoon to many, many weeks at a time.

So now after all this time, I hope to follow your advice.

I have downloaded the updated BIOS - but haven't installed it yet.

Cheers,Stephen