Can't install Win 7 on Win 8 Dell for dual boot

I'll try that.
I have Win 7 drivers from Dell. When and how is the best time to install them?

Follow the steps to get and keep a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
which are same for retail and discuss how drivers are best handled in Win7.

Win7 is a driver-complete OS in the installer and via Windows Updates, so run all rounds of Important and Optional Updates after getting online and enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) before importing any drivers which are still missing from the PC/Device's Support Downloads webpage.

Our Drivers forum can find any driver if you need help.

Tried booting DVD in UEFI mode-install hangs @ "starting Windows" screen.
Any other suggestions before I give up, for now.

This same thing happens to me on many Win8 PC's including a Toshiba just yesterday. The BIOS may be locked to install any other than Windows 8 in UEFI mode. The only way to know for sure is to disable Secure Boot, during booted UEFI install wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command to see if it will format GPT disk for you to install. If it won't proceed with disk or USB installer, or even allow either to boot, then I'd try changing the BIOS to Legacy Boot or CSM.

You can also contact Dell or our Dell Resident here Sandeep to see if this is a known issue for your model. I would also ask at Eight Forums where they have helped me with these unnecessary problems caused by unneeded UEFI crapware overkill.

I was just saying you could try both DVD and USB install in UEFI first if you really want UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube.

Otherwise you can skip now to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7

Thanks gregrocker.
When I try the install in legacy mode, I get an error message about "can't install to GPT partition".
If I follow the "bypass uefi to Install Win 7" instructions, will the currently loaded win 8 be deleted when I clean the HD?

The error when trying to install in Legacy means the HD has not been wiped or had all partitions deleted during install attempt. Did you read Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7 or my post earlier where I said you need to wipe the HD first with Diskpart Clean Command?

So enable Legacy BIOS, boot into installer, delete all partitions during install to see if that's enough for it to proceed.

Make your Recovery Disks first if you want a path back to the factory bloatware install.

Where do you buy your Windows 7 x64 DVD from?

Theog-
I really can't remember. It was quite a while back. Got a 3-pack and only used it once before, but that install went very smoothly.