Downgrading Win8.1 Pro to Win 7 BCD Error 0xc000000d

serpentxx · 01 Jan 2014

Hey guys, this is my current format setup

Laptop = Razer Blade 14" (only has USB 3.0 ports, UEFI Motherboard)
Current OS = Windows 8.1 Pro x64
Secureboot = Disabled
Flashdrive = USB3.0 8GB fat32 GPT Partition (Followed Rufus Tutorial exactly)
ISO = X17-59465.iso (Windows 7 Ultimate SP1-U ISO (Refresh))

The error is:

Windows Boot Manager

File: \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc000000d
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data.

If I turn on CSM and choose the UEFI flash drive it goes further, loads the windows instillation files then starts playing the win 7 loading animation but freezes half way through.

I read somewhere that I may have to slipstream the USB 3.0 drivers into the ISO, but I am not sure if that is relevant to this case?

Any help would be great, I have been at this for a few hours now without any advancement.

EDIT:

In the end I just went into CSM, set everything I could to legacy mode, and turned the USB into a standard windows 7 bootable, it installed without a hitch and as far as I am aware, by not using UEFI i only miss out on fastboot and booting from +2TB HDD's.. non issues with my laptop

theog · 01 Jan 2014

1) Downgrade to Windows 7.
Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7
Warning you must have the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.

Make sure you read the NOTE at Step three.

2) If Using a USB Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted to FAT32 as in
UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.

You will need to buy Windows 7.

serpentxx · 01 Jan 2014

thanks theog

i already own windows 7, i simply downloaded an untouched iso from microsofts official content server (digital river)

and thanks for the info about windows 7 not having usb 3 drivers, when i get more time i will create a slipstream iso, until then i am happy running my laptop in legacy mode. and my games run so much faster than windows 8!!!