Installed Windows 7 on a Windows 10 laptop; where to get my drivers?

Smexy · 18 Jul 2017

I recently created a dual boot setup on my ASUS GL502VS, and I plan to continue using Windows 10 as my main OS, while using Windows 7 for more specific things. The problem is, this laptop was pre-installed with Windows 10 and only offers Windows 10 drivers. The driver I would really like the most is one that will allow me to use my ethernet/wireless, seeing as I can then use Windows Update and other such update tools to install drivers. But, honestly, despite looking around a bit on manufacturer websites, I'm really not sure what to install.

Can anyone point me in the right direction or give me some tips? It would be hugely appreciated.

torchwood · 18 Jul 2017

Hi Smexy,

on your W10 open device manager,
Network >> Ethernet & Wifi note the Named drivers they wont be Asus
more than likely AtherosXXXX and Ralinkxxxx
then go to the home page for them D/L to a USB open 7 and update

As W7 comes driver complete im surprised it hasnt picked them up.

Roy

Smexy · 18 Jul 2017

torchwood said:

Hi Smexy,

on your W10 open device manager,
Network >> Ethernet & Wifi note the Named drivers they wont be Asus
more than likely AtherosXXXX and Ralinkxxxx
then go to the home page for them D/L to a USB open 7 and update

As W7 comes driver complete im surprised it hasnt picked them up.

Roy

You were 100% correct; I've since downloaded the drivers and connected to the internet on Windows 7. It seems that I only have one remaining issue (hopefully, wouldn't be surprised if there were more), which is that Windows 7 can't seem to recognize or even detect my USB-C external SSD. The files I'd like to gain access to whilst using Windows 7 are on this drive, so this is something I'd very much like to solve. I have a WD My Passport USB3.1C SSD. Any ideas?

EDIT- It states on the Microsoft website that versions prior to Windows 10 do not support USB-C; does this mean I'm out of luck or is there potentially a third party driver that I could use to bridge this issue?

BIGGER EDIT- I'm extremely concerned right now. I can get around the USB-C issue by moving the files and re-sizing some drives, but it seems that my computer isn't detecting my graphics card whatsoever, and when I tried installing the Win7 64 driver for it off the Nvidia website, it failed the system check and said that it could not install the driver. Is there a workaround for this at all?

When in Windows 10, I open Device Manager and under Display adapters it says Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070, but under Windows 7 it says Standard VGA Graphics Adapter.

Layback Bear · 18 Jul 2017

Just a thought.

Windows 7 does not come with USB 3.0 or 3.1 drivers.
You will have to install them and then see if you can use USB 3.0.

Jack

Smexy · 18 Jul 2017

I'm fine on 3.0 drivers, but it seems that the 3.1 drivers issue is not something that I can rectify. I've checked on the Microsoft website and it states that Windows 10 is the only operating system that supports 3.1. After doing a short sweep on google, I couldn't even find information on making 3.1 work with Windows 7, let alone drivers.

This stings a bit, but I'm okay with that. I'll move some files, resize some partitions, redirect some pathways; all good. What I am worried about is nvidia not allowing me to install its drivers. I very much need my GTX 1070 to work and I'm not sure how.

Indianatone · 19 Jul 2017

NVIDIA

This is a link to the Windows 7 64 bit GTX 1070 MOBILE driver for your laptop.

Smexy · 19 Jul 2017

Indianatone said:

NVIDIA

This is a link to the Windows 7 64 bit GTX 1070 MOBILE driver for your laptop.

Yes, that's the driver I tried to install previously. It failed the system check and said that my system does not have the appropriate graphical hardware despite me having the exact same driver installed when I switch to Windows 10.

mrjimphelps · 26 Jul 2017

There are two things you can try:

1. Do a Windows Update, search for updates, and see if one shows up for your graphics adapter.

2. Use the VEN-DEV method to identify the needed driver and see if it is available:

Go into Device Manager. Right-click on the graphics driver, and choose Properties. Dig around in the properties (on the Details tab?) and see if you can find 'VEN' and 'DEV' (VEN = 'vendor', and DEV = 'device'). There will be a four-character hexadecimal number to the right of 'VEN' and 'DEV' (e.g. 'VEN_8086&DEV_24D5' is IBM Audio Controller)
Now go to http://pcidatabase.com/. Search for Vendor or Device -- I searched for Device = 24D5 and found additional information about the device, as well as where I might find the driver.

TechnoMage2016 · 26 Jul 2017

I've worked with every version of Windows since ver. 3.0.
And one of the best all around versions is Windows 7 (Pro or Ultimate).
I like Win-7/Pro/X86 (32 bit) because it will run my old 16 bit software.

But, if you wind up with a new PC running Windows 10, don't cry or panic, it's fixable!
And the PC makers probably won't release drivers for older OS's for their NEW hardware.

I've set up many Windows 10 computers for my customers who were forced to upgrade when their old XP, Vista, or Win-7 machine gave up the ghost or got hit by lightning (here in FL, the lightning capital of the US). By installing the "Classic Shell" and doing some customizing, I can make Windows 10 look and act just like Win-7. It's still Windows 10, under the hood, so to speak, but what the user sees looks just like their old familiar Win-7 or earlier OS.

I still have customers that I set up with Windows XP years ago, and today I can give them a Windows 10 PC that they can sit down and operate just as easy. The biggest limitation is that Win-10 can't run some of the really OLD games and software. But for most users, that's not a deal breaker.

Happy Computing, Mates!
TechnoMage