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

[pokomo123]

i dont see Repair My computer in F8

 

[gregrocker]

You can try Last Known Good COnfiguration in F8 to see if it will boot Win8. You can also download the WIn8 ISO file to burn to DVD or write to flash stick, boot to Repair.

Another method is given above to run Factory Recovery by tapping the F10 key at boot. If this is how you want to reinstall, try that too.

Otherwise you will need to either order your Vaio Recovery Disks from Sony Tech Support, or do the clean reinstall with the installer ISO I linked you.

Did you get your files copied out?

 

[pokomo123]

no i could not get the files copied out because it said my usb has 300mb space left but it has like 1tb open

 

[gregrocker]

This is a reason why I said to Copy and Paste smaller amounts at once.

What I would do in this case is boot free Partition Wizard bootable CD to Resize the existing OS partition from the left by as much as you can as shown in Option 3 of this illustrated tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html

This will create a space to install Win7, after which you can copy your files over gradually to Win7 from the Win8 partition. I will show you how this is done as we go along.

Download, burn and boot the PW disk now to see how much space it will allow you from C. We can help you make more if needed.

 

[pokomo123]

what im doing now is installing win8 back on that computer and when its done il get the stuff i need and just factory restore it

 

[gregrocker]

You might have asked before trying to reinstall because if you install from boot then your data will almost certainly be gone. Running the installer from within the OS to Custom install is the only way to save your files in windows.old.

You needed to install to a separate partition so it wouldn't overwrite your data, then you can copy it over.

 

[pokomo123]

so if i download the win8 it will overwrite my data?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, if you install WIndows by booting the installer it will overwrite the data.

Only if you run the Windows installer from within WIndows will it create the windows.old folder.

Which did you do when you originally installed WIn8?

If you booted the disk to originally install Windows 8 then you never had your data on Win8 to begin with. It was wiped out.

If you ran the WIn8 installer from Windows 7 then your files may be in the windows.old folder.

I have now repeated this at least a dozen times.

May I ask how old you are? It might help me to know.

 

[pokomo123]

i did not use the iso when i was first installing it i used this Download Windows 8 Consumer Preview. haha im 13 i know more things on the computer than a lot of other people i have been playing on the computer since 5 and somethings i learn really quick and somethings i dont get like this

 

[gregrocker]

13 is legal here (barely).

OK let's make a plan:

Did you see your files when you browsed in with the Win7 installer to try to copy them out?

If so, I would shrink the WIn8 partition using Partition Wizard bootable CD to install Win7 next to it, then copy over your files. I will help you with each step.

What was the problem with Windows 8? Why did you want to go back to Win7?

Is Win7 the OS which came with your computer?

 

[AddRAM]

Greg, I know you can explore a drive with PWizard but can it be used to copy content say to a usb drive ?

 

[pokomo123]

i found the windows.old000 and went inside and got my stuff now im going to factory restore

 

[pokomo123]

what do you mean by legal?

 

[gregrocker]

i found the windows.old000 and went inside and got my stuff now im going to factory restore

Good work. But are you sure the files are intact on the drive you copied them? Look first

what do you mean by legal?

Forums minimum age is 13.

Greg, I know you can explore a drive with PWizard but can it be used to copy content say to a usb drive ?

Not PW, but using the Win7 flash stick installer he was able to browse in last night and found his files. He'd said his stick wasn't big enough to hold them when he tried to Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console .

 

[pokomo123]

im pretty sure their intact but i have a .avi clip thats suppose to have video but theres none only sound

 

[gregrocker]

You may need Flashplayer or an Add-On to play it on the machine you're using.

Is Factory Recovery completing from boot? Which option did you choose?

 

[pokomo123]

no i have not started factory restore yet and i have downloaded adobe flashplayer and the videos still have no video but still has sound

 

[pokomo123]

ok ive installed it and it still doesnt work

 

[gregrocker]

You may need more codecs: Install Shark007's FREE Codec solutions - Windows 7 codecs

Are you ready to run Factory Recovery now? It may not work so we may need to help you Clean Reinstall with the WIn7 installer provided - unless you made the Recovery Disks as a backup.

 

[pokomo123]

yes i am ready but im just hoping i can fix this when im in windows 7