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#11
you must be install first windows 7 in your hard drive after that you able to install windows 8.1 version. Windows never allow to install a lower version on upgraded version so first windows 7 then windows 8.1
So did setting the External Inactive resolve your problem?
I notice that the Win8 System Reserved partition is still System even when Win7 is booted, likely because you added 7 to Dual Boot menu from Win8. This is okay but I'd want to know that 7 can boot on its own without the 8 drive attached. It should since 7 was booting itself before, correct? EasyBCD does not remove the 7 Boot files, only configures 7 to boot from the Win8 boot files on its SysRserved partiton. So try unplugging all other drives except 7 to see if it boots on its own. If not you'd need to confirm 7 is marked Active and run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times.
After setting the external drive as inactive, i get a new error upon boot with the drive connected: 'Invalid partition table'
Everything works fine if the external drive is unplugged while booting/rebooting/switching OS's
I will have to remove the keyboard to remove win 8 msata so i would like to keep that as a last resort. Popped off the trackpoints scroll button while installing the msata ssd
Run a full Disk Check on all partitions including External. Make sure you're backed up first.
If error persists move the data off to wipe External with Diskpart Clean Command then repartition following the commands in Method One of Partition / Extended : Logical Drives - Windows 7 Help Forums
Did you set D Inactive? I'd also unplug it if possible to observe.