Trying to Install Win7 on a Win8 machine, crashes.

Discussion in 'Software' started by doddz, Apr 17, 2013.

  1. doddz

    doddz Private E-2

    Hello all!

    I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this.

    I bought a laptop that came preinstalled with Windows 8. I want to get rid of it and format the HD and install windows 7.

    After finally working out how to enable to laptop so I boot from a cd, it's now always crashing in the initial stages of the starting windows 7 bit for the installation.

    I know the CD is fine, I've tested it on another laptop and pc, it goes through without problems. However, it seems to always crash at the exact same bit with this new laptop.

    Does anyone know of any further security I need to release in order for this to allow me to get in? or does anyone know of a method where I can format the hard drive and start fresh?

    I'd appreciate any help at all, Thanks!
     
  2. AtlBo

    AtlBo Major Geek Extraordinaire

    doddz...I am not sure about this, but I think you have to disable "Secure Boot" in the BIOS to do what you are seeking to do. I don't have Windows 8, but I would like to know for future reference, so please let us know what ends up working for you...
     
  3. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    If it is a Windows 8 machine, yes that is a requirement. You must disable it, because it ships enabled.
     
  4. doddz

    doddz Private E-2

    Hey AtlBo,

    I've disabled secure boot already, I had to do this to even get the laptop to allow me to attempt to boot from a CD at all.

    You should be happy you don't have windows 8, I really dislike it. I've seen methods people use to make 8 look more like 7, but I just want rid of it completely.
     
  5. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    Windows 8 is the only version of Windows I run. It works fine for me.

    That said, we really need to know more about the crashes, such as errors or what happens.
     
  6. doddz

    doddz Private E-2

    Fair enough, each to their own I suppose :)

    Well, now I've got it to boot from the CD, it goes through the initial loading windows files bar, which fills up, then to the next "starting windows" screen, where the graphic is the 4 coloured balls flying around the middle of the screen, it freezes about 5 seconds into this, without fail every time, even at the same point in the animation of the balls.
     
  7. AtlBo

    AtlBo Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Don't know what to say about the installation disk. For me, installation disks have always been try it until it works...or kick the PC, then try it again (then kick it once with the CD in the drive)...

    :)
     
  8. theefool

    theefool Geekified

    Lately, I've skipped the boot to cd, and just use a usb device to install windows on. As in, install windows on a HDD or SSD from the USB device.
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2013
  9. doddz

    doddz Private E-2

    Heh, Theefool, I have tried a USB and put it in the boot order, for some reason it won't boot from the USB at all. But again the USB works on other machines.

    It's all enabled and everything, so I'm wondering if there is some other layer of security i need to remove or something for it to allow a windows 7 install
     
  10. AtlBo

    AtlBo Major Geek Extraordinaire

    This looks very promising. The video shows how but here is the checklist:

    How to remove Window 8 and Install Window 7
    How to downgrade window 8 back to window 7
    Here are the Steps.
    1 .Put in your window 7 CD in the CD/DVD rom
    2. Turn on your computer for Windows 8
    3. On the bottom right corner you will see a minus sign, put your mouse on it or click on it
    4. It will bring up the setting, Then click on setting
    5. Click on PC Setting
    6. Click on General
    7. Then scroll down to Advance Start Up then click on restart now
    8. Click on Troubleshooting
    9. Click Advanced Options
    10. Click UEFI Firmware Settings
    11. Click Restart
    12. Then your computer will reboot and take you into your BIOS
    13 On the BIOS go to Security
    14. Go down to Secure Boot then Disabled
    15. Then go to Advanced, then to System Configuration
    16. Then go down to Boot Mode
    17. Change it to CSM Boot
    18 Then go to Boot and change the order of the Boot to your CD/DVD Rom first.

    Step 19 - Step 22
    If you want to set your BIOS to F1-F2. Meaning to get into your BIOS just before Windows load up hit F1 or F2 key to enter BIOS

    19. Click on Advance
    20. Systems Configuration
    21 Go down to Function Keys Mode
    22. Change it to Standard F1-F2 mode
    23. Save your BIOS hit F10
    24. Now it should boot from your CD/DVD rom . Make sure you have a Windows 7 disk in your CD/DVD rom

    Step 25- Step 22 "How to install Windows 7

    25. Click on Custom Advance
    26. Now delete all the partition
    27. Click on Driver Advance Options
    28, Then Delete
    29 Now just high light all the partition and click on Delete until you have only 1 partition
    30 Now high light the only 1 partition you have left and click on New
    31. Click on apply. This should give you 2 partition
    32. Format the 2ed partition . It should be the larger hard drive. Like over 100 GB
    33. Then click OK
    34. Then click on Next after your Format your hard drive.
    35. Then it should install Windows 7

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcZNL9IVfb8&hd=1
     
  11. doddz

    doddz Private E-2

    Great, I'll give this a go and check back!
     
  12. doddz

    doddz Private E-2

    AtlBo, Thank you very much!

    I'd done most of that check list already, but changing the boot mode to Legacy, as I didn't have CSM worked. It went straight into the windows setup where I was able to format the HD and install windows. So thank you very much, you sir are a star.
     
  13. theefool

    theefool Geekified

    Awesome that it worked for you!
     
  14. b2009

    b2009 Private First Class

    There's a lot of useless stuff on youtube but you have to admit...it's a DIY Wonderland!
     
  15. AtlBo

    AtlBo Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Glad it worked for you. Nice video and checklist put together by this individual. I had been reading this was a little more difficult than usual...
     
  16. doddz

    doddz Private E-2

    Yep, very happy, It's now running Windows 7 perfectly.

    It was much much harder than I thought, I mean I have some know-how with this kind of stuff, but none of the usual stuff was working. They must really not want people to drop Windows 8 for 7.

    Thanks again!
     

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