Win 7 doesn't install properly on "Win 8 machine"

Hi,

some background:

I tried to install a new HDD in a Windows 8 compatible laptop, I got an error message saying that the disk was not recognized. I took the laptop to a computer repair shop and they installed the HDD and Windows 7-everything worked fine. I asked if I could do the installation myself if I wanted to install another HDD and they said yes it was just a case of resetting the BIOS.

I have just got another (new) HDD that I want to install with Windows 7 into the laptop,I got another error message saying that the disk was not recognized, so I installed the new HDD in another computer and installed Windows7,it worked fine. I then put it in the problem laptop and Windows 7 booted. The installation was not working correctly on this machine though. It would not connect to the internet so I reinstalled Windows 7 and again there were problems: it wouldn't connect to the internet and in Device Manager there were yellow exclamation marks next to about 5 drivers, also video playback was of a very poor quality.

Is there anything I can do to remedy this situation or do I have to take the computer to the repair shop and have the technician install the HDD and Windows 7 ?

Please advise,

TIA,

regards,

Ken.

Is this Toshiba NoteBook with Windows 8 Pre-installed?

If yes,
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 Pendrive on a PC with a uEFI BIOS.
USB Pendrive need to be formated 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.

First thing is to disable Secure Boot in BIOS on a Win8 machine. This will let you install anything else.

Next you'll need to follow the special steps in UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with to install to a UEFI BIOS. Understand better watching this video UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube. The option remains to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7 as a last resort.

If you've already got a working install, then get online to do all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates, after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3). To get online install the wireless driver from the Support Downloads webpage for your PC model. You might also be able to Browse to the driver from Device Manager>Wireless Device>Update Driver to the Win8 Windows\System32 file if it uses the same driver.

A workaround to get online is plug in by ethernet cable which has a 70% chance of having the driver already in the Win7 Driver Store (only 50% with wireless drivers) after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3). Then run all Updates which should deliver the Wireless driver.

Only import drivers still missing in Device manager after all rounds of Important and Optional Updates are done, with reboots. Keep going back to Check for Updates until they are exhausted.

Hi,

it's Toshiba C870-1JV. I'm trying to install Windows 7 onto a brand new HDD that's never had Windows 8 installed on it.

Please advise,

Ken.

Are you installing this in a dual Boot, with Win8 on another HD?

If so I would disable or remove the Win8 HD while you are installing Win7, set Win7 HD as first to boot. Then trigger the Win7 installer to boot using F12 BIOS Boot Menu key.

Next, are you installing in UEFI mode as you should if you still want Win8 to boot afterwards?

This time once it's installed follow the procedure I gave you above to get your drivers via running all rounds of Important and Optional Updates to completion. You can set up your desktop while they are running. After requested reboots, go right back to Check for more Updates.

Hi,

I'm not installing in a dual boot with Win8 on another HD.

I don't want Win8 to boot afterwards.

I found a video on Youtube on how to disable Secure Boot. Unfortunately it requires the work to be done within Win8 and my HD with Win8 installed has stopped working! On the video it says that the changes can be made from the BIOS- I tried to access the BIOS and it looked way different to what I'm used to and I can't see anything that looks like "legacy support disable"and "Secure Boot disable" So I'm going to get my Win8 HD fixed and then work through all of the outlined steps within Win8, that will probably be in about a weeks time.

Thanks,

Ken.

From Toshiba Support site.

How to enable CSM for a Toshiba.(Satellite Pro C870, Satellite Pro L830, Satellite Pro C850, Satellite Pro R950, Portege R930, Portege Z930)

Toshiba said:

To downgrade from a installed Windows 8 OS to a Windows 7 OS, using a Windows 7 recovery media, follow these steps:

1) Boot unit and press F2 to get into BIOS

2) Go to "Security" tab and disable "Safe Boot"

3) Go to "Advanced" tab, select "System Configuration" then change boot mode from "UEFI" to "CSM"

4) Press F10 to save changes and exit.

5) Boot unit from recovery media (Press F12 on bootup to boot from USB or DVD media)

theog,

under "security" tab there is no "safe boot "option- there is no "safe boot" on any of the tabs!

on the "advanced" tab >"system configuration", boot mode is already set to CSM boot.

thanks for the help,

please advise,

Ken.

Please post back a camera snap of your BIOS setup Boot tab. Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

The setting to disable is normally called Secure Boot, but it may have another setting name on your model.

What are the other choices for CSM boot? What other settings are nearby? Let us see a pic of that too.

As a Win8 PC should be new enough I would also query my Tech Support which is included free for the first year. You may still be able to get free Recovery disks to have on hand.

Necessary changes in the UEFI Firmware (BIOS) for a successful downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7
Toshiba Screenshots in the link above.