m400, windows failure to load

[tblough]

Windows 10 installs in the way the USB flash drive is booted. If the bootable USB drive is configured as an MBR drive (slightly more complicated to setup than an GPT), then the computer will start in legacy BIOS mode.
There are numerous YouTube vids explaining how to make a bootable MBR USB. Using Rufus is a good choice.

[Fueler1]

I took a few photos to hopefully identify and answer your questions.

Overall

Motherboard

Barcodes

[Centroid_Jacob]

Tom is correct in that you can make a MBR style Windows install USB, I was unaware that was an option.

Your motherboard does support UEFI booting however, so you should be safe to install in EFI mode. Pick whichever option you prefer, MBR booting will require more work as your current USB is setup for EFI. I am not familiar with that process so YouTube would be your friend for exploring that option. The default setting for that motherboard is to support both MBR and EFI booting, so no action should be necessary to switch from Legacy Boot to EFI, the motherboard should detect the change and boot as normal.

If you are fine losing the current files on the SSD then you can proceed with the install by deleting the existing partitions and allowing the Windows 10 installer to create new partitions. Again, This will blow away everything on that hard drive so if you haven't made a backup, I would recommend you try to do so before proceeding. Once you delete the partition using the Windows 10 installer, there is no going back.
Here's a video that from YouTube that explains the process and continues the install:

Once Windows has finished installing, you should follow our TB for Windows 10 setup then install CNC12 from the Software Downloads Page.

TB309: https://www.centroidcnc.com/dealersuppo ... ds/309.pdf
Software Downloads Page: https://centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/ce ... loads.html

The version of software you choose is up to you. We recommend using the latest software version but it may be better to install the same version (if its available) as was listed in the newest report you have on file so the experience is the same as you had before.

[Fueler1]

Before I dive into the MBR world I need to clarify a couple of things.
1: To get it to accept EFI mode do I need to choose that option in the EUFI?

2: Because it did not accept the WIN 10 license but did accept the WIN 7 license do I need to find a win 7 installer and start with that?
There is also the option of "I do not have a license" in case the win10 license is stored somewhere in the MS cloud. Is this a viable option in order to skip directly to 10?

3: Just an afterthought. I am inclined due to past weirdness to clean it out and start over.
If so then I probably won't have any license to work from. Yes, no?
I wonder if this still holds true.
https://www.howtogeek.com/266072/you-ca ... r-8.1-key/

[tblough]

If you are starting over, I would continue with the UEFI install. The MBR info was only mentioned if you wanted to try and recover your existing install.

Those motherboards are getting a little old (mine were ~12 years old), and can no longer be sourced. I had one machine where that MB completely died, so I replaced the motherboards, processors, and memory on both of my machines recently. IIRC the total cost per machine was about $250.

[tblough]

While you have it down, I'd go ahead and replace the CMOS battery.

[Centroid_Jacob]

Before I dive into the MBR world I need to clarify a couple of things.
1: To get it to accept EFI mode do I need to choose that option in the EUFI?

2: Because it did not accept the WIN 10 license but did accept the WIN 7 license do I need to find a win 7 installer and start with that?
There is also the option of "I do not have a license" in case the win10 license is stored somewhere in the MS cloud. Is this a viable option in order to skip directly to 10?

3: Just an afterthought. I am inclined due to past weirdness to clean it out and start over.
If so then I probably won't have any license to work from. Yes, no?

1.) If the motherboard has its Boot Mode set to "Legacy Boot" then you would need to switch it to either "Legacy and UEFI" or "UEFI" but given that it booted from the UEFI Flash Drive, it should be in "Legacy and UEFI" mode so no action should be needed. If you find that the machine says "No Boot Device" found or something like that after installing Windows 10, then you will need to change the Boot Mode to "UEFI"

2.) You can go down that path however Windows 10 will accept your Windows 7 License since it was upgraded. So you can use either Windows 10 or Windows 7 to install but getting your hands on a Windows 7 install .iso will be harder as Microsoft doesn't provide them anymore to my knowledge.

3.) If you were on a version older than CNC12 4.18 then your unlocks should be listed in the report file and you'll need to type them in. I see a Legacy Upgrade was purchased and we have a license.dat on file for your machine so the License for CNC12 should be in an email, but I can also send it to you if you need it again.

I agree with Tom's suggestions as well. Replacing the CMOS battery is a good call.

[Fueler1]

Good idea on the battery.. Let me guess. It's hidden behind the SSD board?

[tblough]

Fueler - it's in your second picture above.

[Fueler1]

Fueler - it's in your second picture above.

Chuckle. You don't know the twisting position I did to take that photo of the board ID. It's going to take a pair of twisted forceps to get to it.
I can't read what is on it.
Anyone know what battery I should order?

OK, I blew up the pic to see that it is a cr2032. Is there more than one there or is it held in a riser? Looks a lot thicker than normal.