Windows 11 will NOT reinstall on Gateway GWNR71517-BK

trekjunky · Jul 29, 2023

I was playing with Linux and accidentally deleted the hard drive. Now I want to reinstall Windows 11 from USB, but it keeps looking for a specific driver (Fingerprint reader?). I went to Gateway's website and downloaded specific drivers for my laptop, but they didn't work. I am at a loss as to what to do next...

glasskuter · Jul 29, 2023

Welcome to the forum. Model number of computer would be helpful.

trekjunky · Jul 29, 2023

GWNR71517-BK

glasskuter · Jul 29, 2023

Well duh, it was right there in the title. Sorry about that, but it's 4 AM and I just missed it.
I downloaded the driver package applicable to your machine from here https://www.gatewayusa.com/support.html
I found your model in the list. When I unzipped the package I found the biometric drivers in the following sub-folder path
C:\Users\username\Downloads\LC-15.6-N14PBR100-580-driver\ftwbioumdfdriverv2
The driver is dated 2020 so there may be some incompatibility with Windows 11, but it should work.

Since none of the drivers in the installation package are in exe format, you have to manually install any missing drivers
using device manager, pointing the installation to the unzipped master folder. Make sure 'include all sub folders' is selected as per this aricle..

How to install missing drivers on Windows 11 - Pureinfotech

To install missing driver on Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates, select and install driver.

pureinfotech.com

trekjunky · Jul 29, 2023

I tried that. I copied the folder with ALL DRIVERS from gateway for my specific model number to the USB flash drive so they were available for Windows 11 Installer, BUT NONE OF THEM WOULD GET ME PAST THAT PART OF THE INSTALL

jimbo45 · Jul 29, 2023

trekjunky said:
I tried that. I copied the folder with ALL DRIVERS from gateway for my specific model number to the USB flash drive so they were available for Windows 11 Installer, BUT NONE OF THEM WOULD GET ME PAST THAT PART OF THE INSTALL

Hi there
I see you use Linux -- so this is a (lengthy but not too complex solution) -- Windows users just ignore this.

1) Install KVM/QEMU on your system with libvirt and virtual machine manager. Install swtpm for an ameulated tpm or use pass thru to /dev/tpm0 -- it's easier to use the emulated version/ Install also edmk so you can also do a sec boot.

2) create a basic Virtual machine with the virtual disk size of the amount you want for windows. Don't enter any product key at this stage-- otherwise you'll get asked again for activation once you've executed all the steps and got a "physical machine" up and running.

3) now set the VM to boot from your Windows install disk -- this will create a VM with sufficient "basic" hardware to run on a native machine

4) Image the vm --FROM WITHIN THE GUEST to an external storage device (note windows formatted not "virtual disk" -- you can attach a host usb device either from the VM's config or just use the menu - redirect usb device

5) restore this to a physical disk via stand alone e,g macrium

6) use macrium to fix boot problems -- or reload the bootloader (bcdboot.exe) via command mode from windows install usb

It should boot now with basic video etc but should boot

Now simply go down through the device manager against all the devices that have ? or unknown device etc against them.
Use install from specific location and point to your drivers files on the usb.

you might need to rerun windows update again .

Sorry Windows users -- this method IMO always works even if it's a long way round to fix the problem. The main advantage in using a VM for this is that the "Virtual hardware" will generally always boot even on the most recalcitrant hardware. The OP's problem is that the installer can't start as the disk driver isn't available from the initial system. Gateway etc might have other ways to fix but IMO I've never had this method fail on me yet even if it is a bit long winded.

Cheers
jimbo

glasskuter · Jul 29, 2023

@jimbo45 He's trying to install windows 11.

I've never run into trying to install on a biometric controlled device.
These are things I would try.

Is there an option in your bios to disable biometrics? If so, try that.

In bios, turn off secure boot and try to install.

Biometric keys are stored in TPM. AS last resort Clear TPM-MS recommends clearing tpm from within windows, but since you have no windows, your only option is to clear it in bios.
NOTE: The TPM also stores bitlocker keys. Unless you turned bitlocker drive encryption off, Windows automatically enables BitLocker Device Encryption on devices that support Modern Standby.. Make sure you have a valid bitlocker key. If you do not have record of the key, it should be saved in your MS account.

I don't envy you so good luck.

jimbo45 · Jul 29, 2023

glasskuter said:
@jimbo45 He's trying to install windows 11.

I've never run into trying to install on a biometric controlled device.
These are things I would try.

Is there an option in your bios to disable biometrics? If so, try that.

In bios, turn off secure boot and try to install.

Biometric keys are stored in TPM. AS last resort Clear TPM-MS recommends clearing tpm from within windows, but since you have no windows, your only option is to clear it in bios.
NOTE: The TPM also stores bitlocker keys. Unless you turned bitlocker drive encryption off, Windows automatically enables BitLocker Device Encryption on devices that support Modern Standby.. Make sure you have a valid bitlocker key. If you do not have record of the key, it should be saved in your MS account.

I don't envy you so good luck.

Hi there
I know he's trying to install Windows -- but the Linux method using a VM is fine as the emulated TPM can handle all the biometric stuff !!!!!

-- I just suggested install WINDOWS on a VM (he uses Linux) and then simply run the steps to convert the VM to a physical machine -- quite a valid (if long) approach -- commercial organisations often to "V2P" or Virtual to physical conversions as a standard VM image can be rolled out and adapted for totally different hardware.

Cheers
jimbo

glasskuter · Jul 29, 2023

jimbo45 said:
know he's trying to install Windows

But he doesn't have Linux either. He did have it, but accidentally wiped his hard drive. I've never run into what he is experiencing that the windows install process won't proceed without a biometric driver, yet he says he's unable to install the only driver he has during the install process. I think the issue stems around the TPM is preventing it. I could be wrong.

I guess if worse comes to worse, he could reinstall Linux and clear the tpm from within Linux.

jimbo45 · Jul 29, 2023

glasskuter said:
But he doesn't have Linux either. He did have it, but accidentally wiped his hard drive. I've never run into what he is experiencing that the windows install process won't proceed without a biometric driver, yet he says he's unable to install the only driver he has during the install process. I think the issue stems around the TPM is preventing it. I could be wrong.

I guess if worse comes to worse, he could reinstall Linux and clear the tpm from within Linux.

Ok - however from his sig it appeared he had Linux !! -- plenty of Live distros so you don't need to go the whole hog if he just wants to clear the tpm.

That whole TPM nonsense from Ms is just B/S !!!! but that's another issue. In the Linux live distros you can always install the tpm emulator if you want to do it that way but there's commands to clear a tpm from the command line.

I'm not sure why the computer would only install with a biometric device -- I've never seen that before except on highly secure computers --NSA, CIA etc which would hardly be out there in the public domain

Don't domestic machines in their bios setup allow "legacy boot". I'm all in favour of better security but if it means you can't use the system --- 'nuf said.

I believe you could achieve the same thing with an emulated tpm on Hyper-V but then that begs the question --how do you boot windows if the system is preventing it from booting Windows . There must be some utility out there for clearing out the computers nvram stuff -- although take care - don't brick the machine.!!!

Cheers
jimbo

Try3 · Jul 29, 2023

trekjunky said:
reinstall Windows 11 from USB, but it keeps looking for a specific driver (Fingerprint reader?)

Please post a photo of the dialog that you cannot get beyond and please explain why you think the fingerprint reader is to blame.
Upload and Attach Images and Files in Post - ElevenForumTutorials

All the best,
Denis

hsehestedt · Jul 29, 2023

I'm with Denis on this one. I would like to know PRECISELY what is happening and what leads you to the conclusion that it is looking for the Fingerprint reader driver. I have never seen the fingerprint reader considered to be a "boot critical device" so I'm a bit dubious about this.

9 times out of 10, if Windows setup will not proceed due to a missing driver, it's a storage driver that is blame, and the most common storage driver to be needed is the Intel IRST (Intel Rapid Storage Technology) driver.

glasskuter · Jul 29, 2023

@Try3 @jimbo45 @hsehestedt
MS definitely states about clearing TPM
Preparing for a clean installation in this way helps ensure that the new operating system can fully deploy any TPM-based functionality that it includes, such as attestation. ...Clearing the TPM resets it to an unowned state. After you clear the TPM, the Windows operating system will automatically reinitialize it and take ownership again.

If indeed it is as he states about the biometrics driver, could it follow this logic...He had windows11 with a fingerprint stored in TPM. Without clearing TPM he then installed Linux (with or without fingerprint...we do not know). He messed up and deleted his partitions. Without clearing TPM the second time, now he attempts to reinstall Windows again. At this point the TPM doesn't have a clue what is going on and is confused. It doesn't know which OS has ownership of it, Linux or WIndows, so it says "I've got to have your fingerprint for some verification."

Does that rationale hold water? Or have I gone completely wonky after being up for 36 hours?

hsehestedt · Jul 29, 2023

Hmm, my gut reaction is that the fingerprint sensor won't make any difference until Windows is fully installed, not during setup, but I could certainly be wrong.

I've used fingerprint sensors (including on my brand new laptop) on systems with a TPM and have never had a complaint about it during setup, but I admit that I'm only basing me response upon my own experiences.

glasskuter · Jul 29, 2023

hsehestedt said:
fingerprint sensor won't make any difference until Windows is fully installed

That's what I thought too so thought it didn't sound right. I've had to install a few but always after windows boots. I think I'm getting too old for this as new stuff may well be passing me by. I wonder if the OP will even report back with clarification.

bobkn · Jul 29, 2023

I have zero experience with biometrics (away from my smartphone).

But if the laptop's BIOS allows clearing the TPM, it may be worth a try.

hsehestedt · Jul 29, 2023

Wow, this is just crazy. I have never ever in my life seen a message at boot time related to the fingerprint reader on a PC - until tonight. Out of sheer coincidence, the timing on what I encountered tonight is just perfect.

To set the stage, I had taken a few really old laptops out of storage tonight. Every few months I update these old machines with the latest Windows updates and make sure that I put them back into storage with about a 50% charge on the battery for best long term life on the battery. On one of these machines that is over ten years old, it would seem that the CMOS battery has finally died. When I booted that system, the system informed me that the BIOS contents were invalid and that I had to reset my BIOS settings. I did this, then rebooted and was now greeted with this:

Since I use BitLocker, this was also affected, and I had to enter the recovery key. Windows then booted and I logged in and had to re-enroll my fingerprints again, but that's it.

I wonder if the message that by the OP was seen was something like this. Note that even though the fingerprint data had become invalidated, I never had to install any driver. You simply need to register your fingerprints again after you logon to Windows. In the event that you are installing Windows from scratch, you won't have any fingerprints registered yet after installation so you would simply register fingerprints from scratch, but again, no need for a driver during setup.

When I saw this message on my screen, I burst out laughing because the timing was simply the most perfect thing I had ever seen.

glasskuter · Jul 30, 2023

@hsehestedt You must have some hoo-do voo-do going on. I've managed to get a little sleep and have thought long and hard on this one since. I found a Linux article that stated "If your TPM has been used before, it must be cleared before using it again." I'm leaning more and more into my theory that the windows install did indeed stop for this poster because the tpm's brain had been scrambled when Linux was installed. @trekjunky please report back if clearing the tpm allowed your installation to complete. This is of great interest to us.

hsehestedt · Jul 30, 2023

glasskuter said:
This is of great interest to us.

Amen!

trekjunky · Jul 30, 2023

jimbo45 said:
5) restore this to a physical disk via stand alone e,g macrium

6) use macrium to fix boot problems -- or reload the bootloader (bcdboot.exe) via command mode from windows install usb

It should boot now with basic video etc but should boot
Cheers
jimbo

Hey Jimbo,

I didn't try to install Windows 11 Directly to the hard drive while disabling the TPM for everyone's insterest. I went straight to Jimbo's solution and am currently trying to read/wwrite to the NTFS partition from the USB Drive using linux as the go between. I created a VM of Windows with a /var directory which was very big to give Windows 11 VM enough room. Now I stopped mounting /var and deleted that partition and recreated an NTSF partition but broke my linux OS, so I have to next re-install linux so that I can transfer the files to the ntfs partition. I don't understand how to fix my boot problems. Not there yet so no details or error messages, but am worried about it.

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