Can't install Win 7 on Win 8 Dell for dual boot

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  1. Posts : 8
    Win 7 home premium 64 bit
       #1

    Can't install Win 7 on Win 8 Dell for dual boot


    Hi all-
    I brand new here but have been "lurking" in this wonderful forum for a while.
    I am trying to install Win 7 on my new Dell inspiron 17 5917 in order to have the dual boot option with Win 8.
    I've tried to follow the excellent help threads here and feel as though I'm very close.
    1) disabled secure boot in BIOS
    2) created bootable USB with Win 7
    3) formatted a partition on the HDD(?) to install Win 7

    When I boot to USB, it says it's loading and then freezes at "Starting Windows" screen.

    I'll try to post screen shots of "disk management" screen and Win 7 boot USB.
    I know this has been discussed extensively here, but I'm hoping someone can take a look and help.
    Thanks in advance.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Can't install Win 7 on Win 8 Dell for dual boot-screenshot-1-.png   Can't install Win 7 on Win 8 Dell for dual boot-screenshot-2-.png   Can't install Win 7 on Win 8 Dell for dual boot-screenshot-3-.png   Can't install Win 7 on Win 8 Dell for dual boot-screenshot-4-.png  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2
    District of Columbia
       #2

    You have the Dell OEM disc? It worked with most models I have used.
    You will have some issues setting up dual boot if it has Win 8.1 installed first.
    I found I had to install Win 7 first, then Win 8. (Otherwise you end up with the Win 7 DOS boot loader)
    Then after the 8.1 update, I had to copy over two hidden files on the Win 8.1 SSD (bootmgr & BOOTNXT) to the Win 7 SSD. After that dual boot worked perfectly with the 8.1 boot loader.

    I will admit, I had to return a few Lenovo laptops for Dells today.
    The BIOS automatically locked out a Win 8 Pro OEM install disc to just Win 8 and refused the license key from an actual OEM valid license! But I have never seen this with a Dell.

    I would also check the BIOS and make sure you use Legacy Boot to install the Windows 7 and not UEFI until you finish setting it up.
    Last edited by KewlToyZ; 11 Nov 2013 at 19:27. Reason: details
      My Computer

  3.    #3

    What is the Legacy BIOS or CSM settings in BIOS now?

    It's possible you may not be able to install to the HD as it is now, unless you can get the installer to boot in UEFI of CSM/Legacy and it doesn't refuse to allow you to install to the partition you made - try pressing Next even if you get the warning message.

    In that case you'll need to delete all partitions using the Drive Options at the drive selection screen, install Win7, then if desired later install Win8 using installer provided by Dell. I would ask them for WIn 8.1 which will activate with the license coded on your BIOS chip.
      My Computer


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

    KewlToyZ said:
    You have the Dell OEM disc? It worked with most models I have used.
    You will have some issues setting up dual boot if it has Win 8.1 installed first.
    I found I had to install Win 7 first, then Win 8. (Otherwise you end up with the Win 7 DOS boot loader)
    Then after the 8.1 update, I had to copy over two hidden files on the Win 8.1 SSD (bootmgr & BOOTNXT) to the Win 7 SSD. After that dual boot worked perfectly with the 8.1 boot loader.

    I will admit, I had to return a few Lenovo laptops for Dells today.
    The BIOS automatically locked out a Win 8 Pro OEM install disc to just Win 8 and refused the license key from an actual OEM valid license! But I have never seen this with a Dell.

    I would also check the BIOS and make sure you use Legacy Boot to install the Windows 7 and not UEFI until you finish setting it up.
    To upgrade Windows 8 core, you need to use the Pro Pack.
    To upgrade to Pro Pack
    No install files needed.
    Only the Upgrade key is need.
    Add Features to Windows 8
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #5

    2) created bootable USB with Win 7
    When I boot to USB, it says it's loading and then freezes at "Starting Windows" screen.
    Are you booting the DVD/USB in UEFI mode?

    UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows
      My Computer


  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #6

    If you want to make your life easy, install Win7 with VMware Player. Then you avoid all disk problems and can run 7 and 8 side by side.

    Here is a tutorial that shows you how to handle VMware Player. Just select Win7 in lieu of Win8. The rest is the same.

    Here is a little demo I made running 7 and 8 side by side (in my case it is 8 that is under VMware Player - but the principle is the same).
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8
    Win 7 home premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Theog,
    First, many thanks for your awesome posts!
    To answer your question, I tried to initially install from DVD, but was stopped by the "GPT partition" error message. Then I created the bootable USB following instructions from here, but the install hangs up at "Starting Windows" screen .
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #8

    theog said:
    2) created bootable USB with Win 7
    When I boot to USB, it says it's loading and then freezes at "Starting Windows" screen.
    Are you booting the DVD/USB in UEFI mode?

    UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows
    cougdan said:
    Theog,
    First, many thanks for your awesome posts!
    To answer your question, I tried to initially install from DVD, but was stopped by the "GPT partition" error message. Then I created the bootable USB following instructions from here, but the install hangs up at "Starting Windows" screen .
    Are you booting the DVD/USB in UEFI mode or Legacy mode?

    Can't install Win 7 on Win 8 Dell for dual boot-windows-8-downgrade-006-sb-posting.png
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8
    Win 7 home premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Initial boot from DVD was in legacy mode.
    Subsequent attempts with USB were in UEFI mode.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #10

    Try booting the DVD in UEFI mode.
      My Computer


 
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