Installing Windows 7 on a Windows 8 pre-installed laptop

[maarten0009]

I've tried several options, but none works. My laptop is: Acer Aspire E1-571 and it has EFI ( and legacy bios). I already disabled the Secure boot and followed the tutorial how to make a UEFI bootable windows 7 installation usb.

The problem is:

If I boot with the UEFI windows 7 USB in Uefi mode, it will not recognize the usb, the only bootable option will be: Windows Boot manager.

If I boot with a regular windows 7 USB in BIOS Legacy mode it will, upon getting to the screen where you select the drive you want to install it on, say it is incompatible with GPT partitioned drives. I have been googling all day long and this is driving me crazy!

The reason i want a dual boot is because i want to be sure the drivers are fully compatible (yes i did research), so if anyone could help me out, thanks a lot!

 

[theog]

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 Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted to FAT32 as in
UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.

 

[maarten0009]

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 Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted to FAT32 as in
UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.

Yes, i've read that. But the UEFI boot manager will only display windows boot manager, while i followed the instructions on the tutorial, like 5, 6 times over and over! It does not recognize the usb in UEFI mode, only in legacy but then I can't install on the Gpt disk!

 

[theog]

On some Acer, Gateway, P. Bell, Windows 7 x64 will not install in UEFI mode.

Windows 8 Desktops - How to Disable Secure Boot - YouTube



Enabling the boot device menu

On most Acer systems, you can use the F12 key on boot to select the drive or network from which loading the operating system. In case the F12 option does not work, you may need to enable this function.

SOLUTION

Enabling the F12 function:

1.Power on the system. As soon as the first logo screen appears, immediately press the F2 key, or the DEL key if you have a desktop, to enter the BIOS.
2.Press the right arrow key to select Main.
3.Use the arrow keys to navigate to F12 Boot Menu, and press ENTER.
4.Select Enabled, and press ENTER.
5.Press the F10 key to save changes and restart the system.

How to Enable or Disable Secure Boot

This article only applies to: Windows 8 Desktops

Bootable media from previous versions of Windows may not be recognized in Windows 8. You can change the Secure Boot setting and it should recognize the bootable device.

Use the following steps to change Secure Boot:

1.Completely shut down your computer.
2.Power on the system. As soon as the first logo screen appears, immediately press Delete to enter the BIOS.
3.Use the right arrow key to select Authentication.
4.With Secure Boot highlighted, press Enter and then the down arrow to select Disabled.
5.Use the right arrow key to select Boot Options.
6.With Launch CSM highlighted, press Enter and use the down arrow to select Always.
7.Press Enter.
8.Press the F10 key to save changes and restart the system

ACER Related Videos.

Windows 8 - Access to Uefi Firmware Settings - Option - YouTube
Iconia W700 - How to Enter the BIOS - YouTube

 

[maarten0009]

On some Acer, Gateway, P. Bell, Windows 7 x64 will not install in UEFI mode.

Windows 8 Desktops - How to Disable Secure Boot - YouTube



Enabling the boot device menu

On most Acer systems, you can use the F12 key on boot to select the drive or network from which loading the operating system. In case the F12 option does not work, you may need to enable this function.

SOLUTION

Enabling the F12 function:

1.Power on the system. As soon as the first logo screen appears, immediately press the F2 key, or the DEL key if you have a desktop, to enter the BIOS.
2.Press the right arrow key to select Main.
3.Use the arrow keys to navigate to F12 Boot Menu, and press ENTER.
4.Select Enabled, and press ENTER.
5.Press the F10 key to save changes and restart the system.

How to Enable or Disable Secure Boot

This article only applies to: Windows 8 Desktops

Bootable media from previous versions of Windows may not be recognized in Windows 8. You can change the Secure Boot setting and it should recognize the bootable device.

Use the following steps to change Secure Boot:

1.Completely shut down your computer.
2.Power on the system. As soon as the first logo screen appears, immediately press Delete to enter the BIOS.
3.Use the right arrow key to select Authentication.
4.With Secure Boot highlighted, press Enter and then the down arrow to select Disabled.
5.Use the right arrow key to select Boot Options.
6.With Launch CSM highlighted, press Enter and use the down arrow to select Always.
7.Press Enter.
8.Press the F10 key to save changes and restart the system

ACER Related Videos.

Windows 8 - Access to Uefi Firmware Settings - Option - YouTube
Iconia W700 - How to Enter the BIOS - YouTube

I already disabled secure boot and enabled the boot menu, but i can't find the Launch CSM option! Looked for it, but i do not have it!

I have really no idea what to do next...

 

[maarten0009]

It finally recognizes my USB stick but now crashes on Windows is starting..

 

[theog]

I already disabled secure boot and enabled the boot menu, but i can't find the Launch CSM option! Looked for it, but i do not have it!

Look in video about 36 sec's in.

 

[maarten0009]

I already disabled secure boot and enabled the boot menu, but i can't find the Launch CSM option! Looked for it, but i do not have it!

Look in video about 36 sec's in.

Yes i saw, but it's just not in my BIOS? I mean like, i only got the tabs:

Information - No things i can change here, just info
Main - System time, Network boot [ disabled], F12 Boot menu [ Enabled], Wake on LAN [ disabled], SATA mode [ AHCI] (Can only choose between AHCI and IDE!)
Security - Supervisor Pass etc..., and the option to select an UEFI file as trusted for executing (any helpful??)
Boot - Boot Mode [ UEFI] / (other option is Legacy BIOS), Secure boot [ disabled] (weird thing is: Information shows: Select boot type to Dual type, Legacy type or UEFI type.) But there is no Dual type!
Exit - save changes, discard etc...

 

[theog]

Yes i saw, but it's just not in my BIOS? I mean like, i only got the tabs:

Information - No things i can change here, just info
Main - System time, Network boot [ disabled], F12 Boot menu [ Enabled], Wake on LAN [ disabled], SATA mode [ AHCI] (Can only choose between AHCI and IDE!)
Security - Supervisor Pass etc..., and the option to select an UEFI file as trusted for executing (any helpful??)
Boot - Boot Mode [ UEFI] / (other option is Legacy BIOS), Secure boot [ disabled] (weird thing is: Information shows: Select boot type to Dual type, Legacy type or UEFI type.) But there is no Dual type!
Exit - save changes, discard etc...

On some Acer, Gateway, P. Bell, Windows 7 x64 will not install in UEFI mode.

This why you can not install Windows 7 x64 in UEFI mode, as the the option is missing.

 

[maarten0009]

Yes i saw, but it's just not in my BIOS? I mean like, i only got the tabs:

Information - No things i can change here, just info
Main - System time, Network boot [ disabled], F12 Boot menu [ Enabled], Wake on LAN [ disabled], SATA mode [ AHCI] (Can only choose between AHCI and IDE!)
Security - Supervisor Pass etc..., and the option to select an UEFI file as trusted for executing (any helpful??)
Boot - Boot Mode [ UEFI] / (other option is Legacy BIOS), Secure boot [ disabled] (weird thing is: Information shows: Select boot type to Dual type, Legacy type or UEFI type.) But there is no Dual type!
Exit - save changes, discard etc...

On some Acer, Gateway, P. Bell, Windows 7 x64 will not install in UEFI mode.

This why you can not install Windows 7 x64 in UEFI mode, as the the option is missing.

Damn, all I wanted it safety. If windows 7 will not run good that i could return to windows 8, are there windows 8 iso's online which i can use with only a product key?

And should i choose to use legacy, how can i clear EVERYTHING (should i clear all partitions? Got like 5, recovery and other things)

 

[theog]

Damn, all I wanted it safety. If windows 7 will not run good that i could return to windows 8, are there windows 8 iso's online which i can use with only a product key?

You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from your the OEM manufacturer's website.

You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer
or
Acer | Recovery Media
Check in Accessories
or check the main web site.
Acer Worldwide - Select your local country or region

And should i choose to use legacy, how can i clear EVERYTHING (should i clear all partitions? Got like 5, recovery and other things)

Step 6 A delete all partitions.

Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

 

[maarten0009]

Damn, all I wanted it safety. If windows 7 will not run good that i could return to windows 8, are there windows 8 iso's online which i can use with only a product key?

You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from your the OEM manufacturer's website.

You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer
or
Acer | Recovery Media
Check in Accessories
or check the main web site.
Acer Worldwide - Select your local country or region

And should i choose to use legacy, how can i clear EVERYTHING (should i clear all partitions? Got like 5, recovery and other things)

Step 6 A delete all partitions.

Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

Is it possible to clone the recovery partition by myself?

 

[theog]

Is it possible to clone the recovery partition by myself?

You will need two HDD to clone.

How to clone your SATA drive to a SATA drive.
Solved How to Migrate OS to new Hard disk.

 

[maarten0009]

Is it possible to clone the recovery partition by myself?

You will need two HDD to clone.

How to clone your SATA drive to a SATA drive.
Solved How to Migrate OS to new Hard disk.

Hey Thanks for the response!

What do you think about the Asus ERecovery Disk? I'm not sure if its usable if i **** things up completely. ( Say i got a blaco unpartitioned drive will i be able to install win8)

Or could i just get a Windows 8 iso?

 

[theog]

Or could i just get a Windows 8 iso?

There no Microsoft official Windows 8 downloads.

 

[maarten0009]

Or could i just get a Windows 8 iso?

There no Microsoft official Windows 8 downloads.

Will my hard drive be MBR partitioned when I format it?

 

[theog]

Or could i just get a Windows 8 iso?

There no Microsoft official Windows 8 downloads.

Will my hard drive be MBR partitioned when I format it?

After deleting all partitions & formating Windows 7 in Legacy mode, yes.

 

[gregrocker]

If you try to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7 and it gets an error about GPT disk then it needs to have all partitions deleted or wiped at that stage. Follow the steps in the tutorial to wipe the HD first. Back up everything you need.

I had problems with creating the UEFI USB stick when it comes to editing the files shown in Steps 8 and 9 of UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows. Did you do this correctly? Ask in tutorial comments if you need more help with it.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html