Downgrade to Vista from Windows 7

I bought it online. It is a digital copy. I purchased it when they had the college discount offer. I ran the program "DLMWin7HP32US" and after that I opened "Win7-HP-Retail-en-us-x86". That opens the windows 7 installation. I click "go online to get the latest updates for installation", I accept "license terms", Then when it asks what kind of installation I want I click custom becasue I want to install a new copy of windows and dont mind starting from scratch/losing data. The next screen says "No drives were found. Click Load driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation". Any ideas?

i downloaded it from digital river I believe

please help me

You don't need to reinstall Vista to upgrade to Win7.

Since you were infected you need to wipe the HD to overwrite any infected code using this tutorial: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

You need to boot the installer from DVD or flash stick. If you didn't get a bootable ISO file from Digital River, here is the link to where MS made good for student purchasers: Microsoft Fixes Windows 7 Student Edition Upgrade Problems

Burn the ISO to DVD or flash stick using this tool: https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html?filter[2]=General%20Tips

Then boot the Win7 installer, Custom install to partition created. https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device.

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. https://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...-msconfig.html

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly. CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Auslogics Disk Defrag - Reviews and free Auslogics Disk Defrag downloads at Download.com
Auslogics Registry Defrag - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Then save a Win7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

I started the SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation. When I typed "list disk" it says "there are no fixed disks to show".......

First, fill out your system specs, so people know what they are dealing with. Second, if you downloaded Windows 7 from digitalriver, it should be legit, but they have a tool on their website for making a bootable flash drive or a DVD to handle the installs. This should have been the very first thing you did once the download completed. Get that free app from their site, and make whichever install media you have available.

Then, back up your data, boot from the flash drive or DVD, and do a clean install. Load your drivers, install your apps, restore your data....and enjoy.

Are you're HD's showing up in BIOS Setup correctly? If not, check the cable's condition and that they are plugged snugly.

Try booting free Partition Wizard bootable CD to check what it shows for disks and partitions..

I would first run the HD File System Check and Surface Test of all partitions from PW. If errors appear, then run your HD maker's diag/repair full CD scan: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

You can wipe your target HD using the PW Disk tab or your target partition by rightclicking it to Wipe

Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

all of this sounds so complicated. Im not that good with computers and its getting frustrating. I hate not being able to just re download windows 7 by running the program I have. Can you explain the process better. Please

I had the same problem before and tried to reinstall Wds but it would not let me ...
"same thing ..kept saying there is no drive to install .."
Instead i did a windows 7 repair with the same installation disc ....
It put back my system as a new install .
Good luck.

atsilv2012 said:

all of this sounds so complicated. Im not that good with computers and its getting frustrating. I hate not being able to just re download windows 7 by running the program I have. Can you explain the process better. Please

There is software on their website, found here: Microsoft Store: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool Help

That software will take your downloaded files and create a bootable DVD or USB Flash Drive for you to install Windows 7 on. Once you have that created, back up your data off the computer (external USB drives are very cheap these days). Boot from the DVD or Flash Drive, and reinstall Windows 7. There are plenty of guides here to walk you through this step...but it is actually very simple.

If you aren't good with computers, or are just learning, have a friend look over your should. That's how most of us got our start.