Windows 7: I've deleted partitions installing Win7 over 8 - How screwed am I?

I'll try to give as much info as I can, but keep it as brief as I can. Also, I'm flippin' exhausted and can't see straight. Wish me luck...

Got a new Toshiba laptop at work today, with Win 8 pre-installed.
The laptop needed to be downgraded to 7, as that's what we are set up for at the office. So, finding it *much* less easy than I thought it would be, I turned to the internet for help. Buyer beware.

My issue: I followed the info I was given to prepare for a clean install of Windows 7. Before shutting down Windows 8, I changed these settings and booted from the Windows 7 disc:

• Launch CSM
• First boot to CD/DVD/ODD
• Disable Secure Boot

The laptop booted from Windows 7 disc fine and I followed the steps until I got to "Where do you want to install Windows?" The instructions I had (from multiple places) said that if was going to do a clean, plow-over-everything install, I should delete existing partitions and start from scratch, disc-space wise.

So I started deleting...


Now, it seems, I have 3 partitions left with the following options:

Disk 0 Unallocated Space - 838.0 MB
Can not be installed to this disk...GPT style.
Refresh, New and Load Driver

Disk 0 Partition 1 - 688.5 GB
Can not be installed to this disk...GPT style.
Refresh, Delete, Format, Load Driver and Extend

Disk 0 Unallocated Space - 9.4 GB
Can not be installed to this disk...GPT style.
Refresh, New and Load Driver


So Plan B:
I removed the Win 7 disc from the drive and, on reboot to the installed Win 8 OS, get this:

"For Atheros PCIE Ethernet COntroller v2.1.1.1(12/23/11)
Check cable connection!
PXE-M0F: Exiting Intel PXE ROM.
No bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key"


My main question:
How do I install Windows 7 from here? Win 8 was pre-installed, which means I have no hard copies.
I don't care about anything on the computer. I don't need to save anything, so I can plow over the drives at any time.

OK - so much for keeping it short or intelligible. My eyes have been closing for the last 10 minutes. If, as you read this, the content has veered off into video games or nice chicken recipes, please forgive me. I've tried to re-read/edit, but I can't do it. I'll revisit and edit as needed in the morning.

If you have any questions or need any clarification, please forgive my omissions and don't hesitate to ask.
Any and all input is appreciated.



Thanks so much for your help.

Boot from Windows 7 install disk. Select "repair your computer". Answer some questions like timezone/keyboard settings. Leave them default.

Now select "command prompt".
Now disk 0 is totally empty... no partitions at all. Try to install Windows 7

For Windows 8 core Preinstalled.

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

2) If Using a USB Pendrive on a PC with a uEFI BIOS.
USB Pendrive need to be formated to FAT32 as in
UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.

For Windows 8 Pro Preinstalled
Call Toshiba & order the downgrade rights DVD.

Thanks to both of you for your quick replies.

Kaktussoft - I tried to "repair computer" but was unable, as Win8 was originally installed and all I have is the Windows 7 disk. It said that it could only repair from the appropriate OS disk.

theog - Thanks for the link and the info. I'm hoping there is another option, time-wise, other than order and wait for a disk from Toshiba. I had the wrong information for this install - I wish I'd've had your info before I started.

Would it be possible to download an iso of Windows 8 from MSDN (I have a subscription) and use that to boot and try the "repair computer" option mentioned by Kaktussoft? Or any other possibilities?

Thanks again to both of you for responding so quickly.

Did you make the Toshibas Recovery disc?

How to make Toshiba Recovery disks.

Toshiba How-To: Understanding Windows 8 system recovery options - YouTube
http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/cont...640-SP4015.pdf
Toshiba How-To: Create System Recovery Media on a USB Flash Drive - YouTube
Toshiba Satellite Pro C640/C650 with Windows 8, make recovery disc, page 68
http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/cont...50_10Apr09.pdf

Yes, to reinstall Windows 8. no need for a Product Key, the DVD will see the key code in the BIOS.

Found this on Toshiba Support site.

How to enable CSM for a Toshiba.(Satellite Pro C870, Satellite Pro L830, Satellite Pro C850, Satellite Pro R950, Portege R930, Portege Z930)


Steps to Install Windows 7 on a Windows 8 Unit
Necessary changes in the UEFI Firmware (BIOS) for a successful downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7



Toshiba How-To: Resetting your UEFI Bios Firmware on Windows 8 - YouTube
How To: Enter the system BIOS or UEFI in Windows 8 - Toshiba Forums

I'll burn an iso of 8 and go from there. That will at least give me a level starting place. I wish I would have found this forum before the installation instead of after!

Thank you so much theog and Kaktussoft - I really appreciate your help.

Not repair computer!! But do this Command Prompt at Startup
Now do the diskpart stuff I told you earlier... to delete all stuff on disk.

Got it Kaktussoft - I should have been more clear.

I did understand your instructions, but was unable to even get to the command prompt, so couldn't continue with the rest of the tutorial. Thanks for checking back and making sure I understood.

Did you do diskpart clean? Windows 7 installs fine now?