I have just installed Win7 Pro 64-bit onto a new NUC. Had a few unexpected results, so would appreciate advice on likely source of problem, NUC, or what other component.
After installing the OS from a USB-DVD drive, I installed NUC drivers and App software from a USB3 pendrive.
I bought the Integral pendrive new for this purpose. Although it works without causing an error message in 2 other PCs, whenever I plug it into the NUC I see a message "USB device not recognised" - but Explorer on the NUC is able to read and copy the files apparently without problem. I see same message at coldstart even without a pendrive plugged in. As the 2 front USB ports are used by the KB & Mouse, I tried the pendrive in both rear USB ports with same result. I dont want to bootup without KB & Mouse as it may require a unrecommended hard switch-off. I then installed the HWinfo64 utility to inspect the USB ports. It lists 13 USB ports, most shown as 'Unconnected', but Port 7 "Device failed enumeration". It lists Port1 as the front inner USB, Port2 as front outer USB, Port 12 as rear lower USB, and Port 13 as rear upper USB. So I am wondering if Port7 is faulty, or connected to some faulty internal device ? My only internal additions are RAM, SSD, & Wireless-AC 7260. Externally, (apart from KB & Mouse on USB Ports 1 & 2), I have connected a 3.5mm audio lead to external HiFi, and a 'Cable Matters' miniHDMI to VGA adapter cable.
Second unexpected behaviour, although Windows installed using default 'Balanced' power profile set at 10 minutes screen blanking, the Dell M992 monitor, often but not always, screen blanks twice briefly in quick succession after only a few minutes of idle. (It blanks normally after the Windows 10 minutes idle time). The monitor has no power-save option in its setup menu. I don't remember it doing that before but have no another pc to hand to check if repeatable with another PC. The monitor hasnt been used for a few years so may be the cause, but thought to ask if this could be a NUC issue.
Thirdly, I see many posts on subject of noise (and heat). This NUC is quite noticeably louder at idle than my previous miniPC the Acer Revo R3610 which is almost inaudible in a quiet room. The NUC noise (the fan) is like a quiet whine, a bit like a jet engine starting up when I switch on - sorry about the comparison but I couldnt think of another noise to compare with. This is from a cold start where room temperature 18c, and HWinfo64 reports a fan speed of 2,900RPM at cold start. Yesterday it reported 3,600RPM after many hours at near idle. I have not altered any BIOS settings.
Fourthly, boot time is 18 seconds to the F2 prompt, 45 seconds to when the mouse cursor becomes responsive. Is this to be expected ? This is my first SSD based system, and I read boots from SSD are much faster than HDD.
Rest of my hardware is 2x4GB Crucial CT51264BF160BJ, Sandisk X110 256GB, Wireless-AC 7260. I have installed only a few Apps so far, so SSD shows 86.1% free.
Having installed Win7 Pro SP1 64-bit, I searched Intel Download Centre for correct drivers Desktop>D54250WYK. It listed 10 files. However, as executing the WYK-WYB-Win7-64bitDriver-Bundle EXE caused an unpack into 1 subfolder with many subfolders called: Audio, Chipset, Consumer Infrared, Graphics, Intel ME, LAN, Rapid Start Tech, Rapid Storage tech, Smart Connect Tech, USB3, I just executed the Chipset file followed by all others from that bundle, which seemed to COMPLETE all of the required driver install, excepting WiFi, I thought no point running the remaining 9 files from that initial list of 10. Once I had executed the 7260 Driver + PROSet install, no yellow exclamation marks remained in Device Mgr. As I saw no advice on the D54250WYK Win7 64-bit Driver install procedure, can you confirm if the above procedure is correct ?
Thank you.