Lenovo G50-80 lappie and Win 7

Hi Folks

Got a new Lenovo G50-80 Laptop with Windows 10 pre-installed.

Tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate using a spare hard disk (put in
place of the original one). I had to set the BIOS to Legacy (instead
of UEFI).

The install went very well but none of the USB work. I tried USB
drivers but no improvement. I have also read so many sites in Google
on G50 lappie but could not get the solution.

I would like to get some suggestion from people who have encountered
similar problems.

I will continue to use Win10 but this USB problem has become an
obsession.

--
TIA for any suggestion
Archer

On 3/4/2017 10:18 AM, Archer wrote:
Hi Folks

Got a new Lenovo G50-80 Laptop with Windows 10 pre-installed.

Tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate using a spare hard disk (put in
place of the original one). I had to set the BIOS to Legacy (instead
of UEFI).

The install went very well but none of the USB work. I tried USB
drivers but no improvement. I have also read so many sites in Google
on G50 lappie but could not get the solution.

I would like to get some suggestion from people who have encountered
similar problems.

I will continue to use Win10 but this USB problem has become an
obsession.

It sounds like you've exhausted your options if you can't get
Win7-compatible drivers for that laptop. I've always regarded laptops to
be "closed systems" that are what they are, and may not be something
beyond that due to their proprietary nature.

--
best regards,

Neil

On 3/4/2017 9:18 AM, Archer wrote:
Hi Folks

Got a new Lenovo G50-80 Laptop with Windows 10 pre-installed.

Tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate using a spare hard disk (put in
place of the original one). I had to set the BIOS to Legacy (instead
of UEFI).

The install went very well but none of the USB work. I tried USB
drivers but no improvement. I have also read so many sites in Google
on G50 lappie but could not get the solution.

I would like to get some suggestion from people who have encountered
similar problems.

I will continue to use Win10 but this USB problem has become an
obsession.



Lappie!!! Sounds like something Naughty :-)

Rene

Archer wrote:

Got a new Lenovo G50-80 Laptop with Windows 10 pre-installed.

Tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate using a spare hard disk (put in
place of the original one). I had to set the BIOS to Legacy (instead
of UEFI).

W7 supports UEFI. Maybe, you did something.

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ndows-7-a.html

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/...ased-computer/

Maybe a Secure Boot caveat?

The install went very well but none of the USB work. I tried USB
drivers but no improvement. I have also read so many sites in Google
on G50 lappie but could not get the solution.

Could be the drivers are too old and don't work with the newer hardware.

I would like to get some suggestion from people who have encountered
similar problems.

I will continue to use Win10 but this USB problem has become an
obsession.

It may not be possible to install W7 and have everything work. I
encountered this a couple years ago. A client bought a new Thinkpad
with 8.1 on it, but wanted W7 instead. The installed failed.
Install would hang. Never even got to the first reboot. Discovered the
"latest" W7 driver for a piece of hardware was too old and wouldn't
work.

Ultimately, had to reinstall W8.1 from the image I made, and install
ClassicShell set to look and work like Windows 7. You may have to do
the same.

Good luck.

Stef

Neil wrote:

Archer wrote:

Got a new Lenovo G50-80 Laptop with Windows 10
pre-installed.

Tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate using a spare hard
disk (put in place of the original one). I had to set the
BIOS to Legacy (instead of UEFI).

The install went very well but none of the USB work. I
tried USB drivers but no improvement. I have also read so
many sites in Google on G50 lappie but could not get the
solution.

I would like to get some suggestion from people who have
encountered similar problems.

I will continue to use Win10 but this USB problem has
become an obsession.

It sounds like you've exhausted your options if you can't
get Win7-compatible drivers for that laptop. I've always
regarded laptops to be "closed systems"

My single experience suggests the same. I always knew they
would be difficult to upgrade, but did not think about how
difficult drivers might be.






--

that are what they are, and may not be something beyond
that due to their proprietary nature.

Archer wrote:
Hi Folks

Got a new Lenovo G50-80 Laptop with Windows 10 pre-installed.

Tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate using a spare hard disk (put in
place of the original one). I had to set the BIOS to Legacy (instead
of UEFI).

The install went very well but none of the USB work. I tried USB
drivers but no improvement. I have also read so many sites in Google
on G50 lappie but could not get the solution.

I would like to get some suggestion from people who have encountered
similar problems.

I will continue to use Win10 but this USB problem has become an
obsession.


https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/forums/...d/48386/page/2

- Install Windows 7 (or whatever you wish)
- Install the Windows 7 USB 3.0 drivers (in order to enable the USB ports)

So that implies there is a driver option available. Modern Intel,
they decided it would be cool to remove EHCI and just have XHCI
block for USB. Which means you need a driver written by Intel to
make USB3 work on Win7. Other OSes, the driver would be a Microsoft
in-box driver. On Win7, USB3 requires manufacturer support, as
support is not in the OS. And we know in the modern times, just
how much support Intel provides for Win7.

http://pcsupport.lenovo.com/ca/en/pr...0371/downloads

USB3 driver x64

https://download.lenovo.com/consumer...s/45gu01wf.exe

When you run that, it deposits into C:\drivers\Intel USB3 Driver
and includes an on-screen installer. I unpacked it in WINE,
for a look.

*******
* Intel(R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller: 3.0.1.41
*
* August 2014
*
* NOTE: This document refers to systems containing the
* following Intel processors/chipsets:
*
* Intel(R) 8 Series/C220 series Chipset Family
* 4th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) Processors
* Intel(R) C610 series Chipset Family
* Intel(R) 9 Series Chipset Family
* Intel(R) Pentium(R) Processor or Intel(R)
* Celeron(R) Processor N- & J- Series
* 5th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) Processors
* Intel(R) Core(TM) M Processor
*
* Installation Information
*******

So you're "not screwed", in Intel parlance :-)

Paul

On Sat, 4 Mar 2017 16:35:32 +0000 (UTC), Stef
wrote:

Archer wrote:

Got a new Lenovo G50-80 Laptop with Windows 10 pre-installed.

Tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate using a spare hard disk (put in
place of the original one). I had to set the BIOS to Legacy (instead
of UEFI).

W7 supports UEFI. Maybe, you did something.

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ndows-7-a.html

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/...ased-computer/

Maybe a Secure Boot caveat?

The install went very well but none of the USB work. I tried USB
drivers but no improvement. I have also read so many sites in Google
on G50 lappie but could not get the solution.

Could be the drivers are too old and don't work with the newer hardware.

This was a warning that I saw on either the ASUS or ASROCK web site
when I was checking for drivers about 18 months ago before moving my
PCs from Windows 7 from Windows 10. As you mention below, it can be
difficult to move back to Win7. I expect that some of our Win7
diehards will discover this if they have to replace a motherboard, for
example.



I would like to get some suggestion from people who have encountered
similar problems.

I will continue to use Win10 but this USB problem has become an
obsession.

It may not be possible to install W7 and have everything work. I
encountered this a couple years ago. A client bought a new Thinkpad
with 8.1 on it, but wanted W7 instead. The installed failed.
Install would hang. Never even got to the first reboot. Discovered the
"latest" W7 driver for a piece of hardware was too old and wouldn't
work.

Ultimately, had to reinstall W8.1 from the image I made, and install
ClassicShell set to look and work like Windows 7. You may have to do
the same.

Good luck.

Stef

Archer wrote:

Got a new Lenovo G50-80 Laptop with Windows 10 pre-installed.

Tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate using a spare hard disk (put in
place of the original one). I had to set the BIOS to Legacy (instead
of UEFI).

The install went very well but none of the USB work. I tried USB
drivers but no improvement. I have also read so many sites in Google
on G50 lappie but could not get the solution.

Where did you look for the USB drivers to support that hardware under
that OS (Windows 7 - which you didn't mention its bitwidth)?

http://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/pr...0-80/downloads

Did you install THEIR drivers after selecting the appropriate target OS?
Be sure you pick the correct bitwidth version. Bitwidth of drivers MUST
match the bitwidth of the OS.

On 04/03/2017 15:18, Archer wrote:
Hi Folks

Got a new Lenovo G50-80 Laptop with Windows 10 pre-installed.

Tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate using a spare hard disk (put in
place of the original one). I had to set the BIOS to Legacy (instead
of UEFI).

The install went very well but none of the USB work. I tried USB
drivers but no improvement.

They must be the wrong USB drivers, unless you've disabled the USB in
the BIOS.

I have also read so many sites in Google
on G50 lappie but could not get the solution.

I would like to get some suggestion from people who have encountered
similar problems.

I will continue to use Win10 but this USB problem has become an
obsession.


--

Brian Gregory (in the UK).
To email me please remove all the letter vee from my email address.

Archer wrote:

Got a new Lenovo G50-80 Laptop with Windows 10 pre-installed.

Tried to install Windows 7 Ultimate using a spare hard disk (put in
place of the original one). ...

The install went very well but none of the USB work. ...

I will continue to use Win10 but this USB problem has become an
obsession.

"I will continue to use Win10". That doesn't say the USB ports work
under that OS. Do they? If not, I just looked in that laptop's
hardware maintenance manual at:

https://download.lenovo.com/consumer...series_hmm.pdf

Page 53 talks about removing the common ribbon cable for both USB and
audio connections. Hmm, do you get any audio out of the laptop's
speakers? Try play some audio file and make sure you can hear it okay.
If not, maybe that cable is loose or disconnected. Alas, dismantling
the laptop is not what you want to do with a new laptop since that
probably voids your warranty.

On Sun, 5 Mar 2017 13:40:35 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:

"I will continue to use Win10". That doesn't say the USB ports work
under that OS. Do they?

Simply stated the USB ports work well when booted under UEFI setting
in the BIOS but when I boot under legacy setting the ports do not
work. When I switch back to UEFI the ports work again.

So I do not think there is any loose cable etc. And audio works well.

Now I feel that there is a BIOS problem or Lenovo made it that way on
purpose.

--
Archer

On 3/7/2017 10:03 AM, Archer wrote:
On Sun, 5 Mar 2017 13:40:35 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:

"I will continue to use Win10". That doesn't say the USB ports work
under that OS. Do they?

Simply stated the USB ports work well when booted under UEFI setting
in the BIOS but when I boot under legacy setting the ports do not
work. When I switch back to UEFI the ports work again.

So I do not think there is any loose cable etc. And audio works well.

Now I feel that there is a BIOS problem or Lenovo made it that way on
purpose.

It's the drivers, not the BIOS or OS. You bought a Win10 notebook, and
Win10 uses UEFI. Whether or not one can obtain drivers for that notebook
that work under its legacy BIOS is up to the manufacturer, so if they
have 'em, one can get 'em, if not, SOL. Still, I wouldn't be surprised
if there weren't other issue with trying to run an earlier OS on that
machine because the underlying OS code has changed even since Win8.x,
Win7 is structurally Vista 2.0, and with anything earlier all bets are off.

--
best regards,

Neil

Neil wrote:

On 3/7/2017 10:03 AM, Archer wrote:
On Sun, 5 Mar 2017 13:40:35 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:

"I will continue to use Win10". That doesn't say the USB ports work
under that OS. Do they?

Simply stated the USB ports work well when booted under UEFI setting
in the BIOS but when I boot under legacy setting the ports do not
work. When I switch back to UEFI the ports work again.

So I do not think there is any loose cable etc. And audio works well.

Now I feel that there is a BIOS problem or Lenovo made it that way on
purpose.

It's the drivers, not the BIOS or OS. You bought a Win10 notebook, and
Win10 uses UEFI. Whether or not one can obtain drivers for that notebook
that work under its legacy BIOS is up to the manufacturer, so if they
have 'em, one can get 'em, if not, SOL. Still, I wouldn't be surprised
if there weren't other issue with trying to run an earlier OS on that
machine because the underlying OS code has changed even since Win8.x,
Win7 is structurally Vista 2.0, and with anything earlier all bets are off.

Archer has yet to identify what USB device he is attaching to which USB
port on the laptop. According to its manual, there are 2 USB ports.
One is identified as USB3 (blue). Presumably that means the other is
just USB2. Maybe he is trying to attach a USB3 device to the USB2 port.
We don't know what USB devices that Archer is trying to plug into which
laptop USB port. But then Archer has not stated that he installed the
device drivers for the USB-attached hardware. USB drivers are to define
that hardware interface, not the communications protocol to the device.
Maybe he is attaching a mouse or keyboard to the laptop's USB port(s)
which should use the native device drivers in Windows (assuming just a
simple mouse or simple keyboard) but we don't know. He won't say. USB
ports with nothing attached are worthless (unused) ports. USB ports
have no value by themselves. That he won't discuss the peripherals he
attaches (brand, model, USB type) and keeps focusing on USB support back
in the BIOS/UEFI (which does NOT have support beyond anything other than
legacy devices - simple mouse, simple keyboard) makes it appear he
thinks the USB driver is all that is needed to get a USB device working.

As yet, Archer has not stated that he installed Lenovo's USB3 driver.
When I go to the linke that I already provided to him, the description
of the USB driver is:

USB 3.0 Driver for Windows 7 (64-bit) - Lenovo G40-80, G50-80, G50-80
Touch

Presumably that means the USB2 port is support by native (included)
drivers in Windows. Windows 7 does NOT come bundled with USB3 drivers.
Windows 7 mainstream support ended over a year ago so Microsoft won't be
altering their installer to include USB3 drivers in the image for
Windows 7.

So far, Archer has not addressed any troubleshooting suggestions
mentined by respondents: has he installed the Lenovo USB drivers in
Windows 7, has he installed the USB *device* drivers, has he checked the
USB ports are not disabled in BIOS (MBR), what is he attached to the
laptop's USB ports. He just keeps focusing on the BIOS (which won't
support non-legacy USB *devices*) and Windows 7 (where he has to install
the USB3 driver from Lenovo along with the *device* drivers he attaches
to the laptop's USB ports). If he continues to be obtuse, he might be a
troll wasting our time. I'll give him one more shot and then I'm gone.

On Sat, 04 Mar 2017 20:48:57 +0530, Archer
wrote:

The install went very well but none of the USB work. I tried USB
drivers but no improvement. I have also read so many sites in Google
on G50 laptop but could not get the solution.

Thanks to all of you for trying to help me on this issue.

As I said the 2 ports USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 did not work when
working under legacy setting.

Talked to a Lenov guy whom I met accidentally who suggested the
following:

Remove battery and keep the power button for at least 30 seconds. Now
go to BIOS setup after connecting the battery and setup for legacy.

I did this and I am glad to say that the 2 USB 2.0 ports worked and
the USB 3.0 also worked after I installed the necessary drivers.

Thanks again to all

--
Archer

Archer wrote:

On Sat, 04 Mar 2017 20:48:57 +0530, Archer
wrote:

The install went very well but none of the USB work. I tried USB
drivers but no improvement. I have also read so many sites in Google
on G50 laptop but could not get the solution.

Thanks to all of you for trying to help me on this issue.

As I said the 2 ports USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 did not work when
working under legacy setting.

Talked to a Lenov guy whom I met accidentally who suggested the
following:

Remove battery and keep the power button for at least 30 seconds. Now
go to BIOS setup after connecting the battery and setup for legacy.

I did this and I am glad to say that the 2 USB 2.0 ports worked and
the USB 3.0 also worked after I installed the necessary drivers.

Thanks again to all

That's a hard reset aka power reset.

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/h/hardrese.htm
http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01684768

You didn't mention if you had customized the BIOS settings. Settings
are copied into a CMOS table. They can be misconfigured. They CMOS
table copies of the settings can also get corrupted, especially if the
CMOS battery (not the main battery) is weak.

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops...series/g50-80/

A popup tells me that model is no longer available; i.e., it was
discontinued (but does not say when it was discontinued). I could not
find when this unit was first introduced.

How old is your unit? If over 4-5 years old, the main battery should be
replaced. They don't last forever as capacity diminishes over time (80%
loss over 2 years) and with each power cycle (400-1000 cycles). The
lithium coin-cell CMOS battery doesn't last forever, either, and should
be replaced at 3-6 years (some are better than others); however, that
battery is usually a bitch to replace as it requires disassembly of the
laptop's case. You might find a Youtube video to help with disassembly
or take it to a computer shop to have them replace the CMOS battery.

A hard reset restores BIOS settings to their factory defaults (by
reading the standard set from BIOS EEPROMs into the CMOS table). Often
there is an option within the BIOS settings to reset to factory defaults
(rather than have to force a clear of the CMOS table via power reset).

Thanks for the reminder about this troubleshooting step.