Boot from a different drive on a new computer

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  1. Posts : 27
    windows 7 64 bit
       #1

    Boot from a different drive on a new computer


    Hi, I just bought an HP Envy Desktop, 3.40GHz 4th Generation Intel Core i7-4770, 12GB RAM, 2.0TB HDD (700-019 PC) . . . it came with Windows 8 which I just checked out and found it wasn't as hostile as people say (and it comes with Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements (albeit scaled down versions).

    However, I didn't buy this computer for the operating system since I'd been preparing a SDD drive with Windows 7 Home Premium. I thought I would just be able to swap drives - no such luck.

    The HP Bios is a new design to me: at the top it says "Hewlett-Packard Setup Utility". I couldn't figure it out. Both drives showed up under Device Configuration and I was able to chose the SSD drive, but it keeps booting into Windows 8.

    The installed Windows 8 drive is a Basic GPT, the Windows 7 is a Basic MBR.

    Any suggestions anyone, thanks.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #2

    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.

    But you will find that HP do not support drivers for Windows 7 on PC's Pre-installed with Windows 8.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 27
    windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for fast response, but I didn't understand. I don't want to downgrade - I want to remove the Windows 8 system disc and replace it with another drive I already have with Windows 7 on it.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #4

    The same as the above.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 27
    windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Sorry guy, I not that good at computers . . . do I follow the steps in 1) and then in 2)?

    Or does your last line mean that it can't be done?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 16,131
    7 X64
       #6

    I'd been preparing a SDD drive with Windows 7 Home Premium.
    Did you install win7 to that ssd while on another machine?

    If so:


    1. Copy your windows 7 SYSTEM hive into a .zip file and post it up here for me to adjust, else win7 is unlikely to boot on different hardware. You will find the file called SYSTEM in your ssd windows\system32\config directory.

    2. You need to do step 1 in Theos post.

    3. You may need some specific drivers for that HP machine. If it a desktop machine, that is less likely to be an issue.

    4. You need a win7 license which allows you to use it on the new machine. Unless your desktop came with win8 PRO ,then you are allowed to upgrade to win7.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 27
    windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Here's what I need to know explained in layman's terms. Thanks for your help.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 27
    windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I'm having trouble uploading the file, it's only 2.5 MB . . . I'll try again later.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 16,131
    7 X64
       #9

    You can attach it using this paperclip object. It only accepts some files, best to put the system hive in a .zip before uploading.

    Boot from a different drive on a new computer-2013-08-30_013158.jpg
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 27
    windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    I unplugged the wifi and it uploaded in less than a minute - it's gonna stay unplugged! Looks like it's attached anyway.
    Boot from a different drive on a new computer Attached Files
      My Computer


 
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