How do i get back windows 7 when i updated to windows 8

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  1. Posts : 48
    Windows 7
       #1

    How do i get back windows 7 when i updated to windows 8


    How do i get back windows 7 home premium 64bit(i think) when i updated to windows 8 consumer preview?? i have a sony vaio and ive tried to download the windows 7 iso to a usb and setup it but it just says No device drivers were found.Make sure that the installation media contains the correct drivers, and then click ok. now i boot it up with the regular hard drive and it goes to vaio care rescue. I tried to use it but when it is saving data and i dont have enough time i have a project due in 2 days but the projects on that computer and the rescue takes 3 days please help
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    If you did an in-place Upgrade to Win8 then your files should be there to back up now. If you did a Custom install it may have placed a windows.old folder in the C drive root where you can find and copy out your files.

    The error is almost always a bad installer. Follow these steps exactly to Clean Reinstall Windows 7 Factory OEM, using the installer with SP1 ISO provided to write to stick with Universal USB Installer with WIn7 in dropdown menu.

    Boot the installer from the Sony F2 BIOS Boot Menu key and follow the steps given.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 48
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    what if i cant get out of vaio care rescue(like i cant goto my homescreen/desktop)
      My Computer

  4.    #4

    Did you do the Upgrade install where your programs, files and everything remained in place, or did you do the Custom Install which installs the OS fresh and which may have placed your files in C:/Windows.old folder if the installer was not booted?

    If you cannot now get into Win8 to get to your files then you can copy them out to external using the Win7 DVD or flash stick installer with this method: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console , or use free Paragon rescue disk to recover data . You may have to only rescue the files you absolutely need to save time.

    Once you have your files you can try running Vaio Recovery to see if it will run, or boot the Win7 installer to Clean Reinstall Windows 7 Factory OEM .

    I gave you the ISO links for the official Win7 installer with SP1 to burn to DVD or write to flash stick and the tool to do it with. You might have to use another machine to do this, then boot the DVD/Stick to clean reinstall following the steps I gave you.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 07 Mar 2012 at 01:10.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 48
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #5

    im pretty sure it was the custom install because i did see a windows.old and a windows.BLT or something like that
      My Computer

  6.    #6

    Only an in-place Upgrade install keeps your files, programs, etc in place so that they might be able to be rescued. Did you see these files while in Win8?

    If you ran a Custom install then it might have put the files in a c:/windows.old folder where you can find them by browsing in Win8 or from the Win7 installer or Repair CD I linked earlier.

    I don't know why Vaio Recovery said it would take 3 days to Recover. Did it recognize your files and say they could be copied out?
    Last edited by gregrocker; 07 Mar 2012 at 01:49.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 48
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    i dont think i could get out of vaio care and i can choose but it would still take 3 days no matter how much things i take for my rescue. I prefer to try to copying out my files one of the disks methods you gave me. i think that would work more but the thing is i cant escape out of vaio care to my desktop
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    If you did not run an in-place Upgrade but instead ran a Custom Install which didn't archive your files in c:/windows.old folder then your files are most likely overwritten.

    It is reckless not to back up your files before an Install, in-place Upgrade or Repair.

    Shut down the computer by holding the Power button in. Reboot with Win7 installer in the drive and boot it using the Sony F2 key to reinstall. You can browse around for your files before reinstalling.

    Or you can run Startup Repair from System Recovery Options to try to start Win8 to copy out your files.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 48
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #9

    but how would i get my files back before reinstall
      My Computer

  10.    #10

    Did you see your files when booted into Win8? DId Vaio Recovery show you your files and say it could copy them out for you before running Factory Recovery?

    Again, if you did an in-place Upgrade your files would all be where they were before. But if you did a Custom install they are overwritten if they were not placed in c:/windows.old folder.

    You can browse in to see using the WIn7 DVD/Flash stick installer, Win7 REpair CD, or Paragon Rescue CD I linked earlier. But to copy them out you need another HD, external HD or big enough flash drive. Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

    Did you have your files backed up anywhere else before running Win8 install?
    Last edited by gregrocker; 07 Mar 2012 at 02:28.
      My Computer


 
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