Just wondering

ICIT2LOL · 15 Nov 2014

I bought new laptop - Asus ROG G750JM and while the thing is full of speedy stuff the hard drive is dreadfully slow (5400rpm). Now I have a Samsung 256GB EVO here with spare 7 OEM and I am wondering if I could take out the 8.1 hard drive install the EVO and put the 7 OEM on it and not lose the 8.1 activation on the machine?

My concern is if by any chance (very slim) I want the 8.1 back can I just reverse the drives and use the system on it.After all the OEM's are tied to the same motherboard??

gregrocker · 15 Nov 2014

Windows 8 Factory OEM in activated in the BIOS, unless yours has a COA sticker which is unlikely. So you would always be able to put the old HD back in, run Factory Recovery, or do the superior Clean Install - Windows 8 to self-activate from the BIOS.

To run Win7 requires turning off Secure Boot in BIOS setup as shown in Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7. Then you'd boot the Win7 installer as a UEFI device, delete all partitions during install so the it can reset if necessary to a GPT disk, format and install Win7.

If you're asking if you can start up an existing Win7 on that PC it might be difficult. If it's an MBR install (has System Active boot partition) then you'd need to adjust the BIOS to enable CSM or Legacy BIOS. But it will still likely need to Adjust Win7 to boot on new hardware with Paragon Adaptive Restore CD. There is a newer version of the Adaptive Restore on the latest Paragon Rescue Kit Free Edition which may even be able to adjust an EFI install on GPT disk if that's what you have.

If you do a Clean Install Windows 7 I'd wait for the full 30 days to activate so you know for sure you want to use an OEM license on that PC, since technically you cannot move the license once it activates on that mobo.

ICIT2LOL · 16 Nov 2014

Thanks Greg I should have said the SSD is brand new I bought it and the OEM in case I wanted to change,back to 7 as I already have the Toshiba set up in 8.1. and I was also wondering where the sticker was and was beginning to think I have been rorted!

You metioned a EUFI device is that the BIOS you mean as this machine has some form of legacy one definitely not the one like I have in my Ivy Bridge??

Ok I will wait that time too just in case.

ICIT2LOL · 16 Nov 2014

Oh Greg this is what the partitions look like - I have no idea and Gary said you were the person to ask about partitions.

gregrocker · 16 Nov 2014

So you'd remove the hard drive and replace it with the SSD, boot into BIOS setup and turn off Secure Boot, Save Changes and Exit. While in BIOS take note of the settings for CSM, Legacy BIOS and BIOS Boot order as these may need to be adjusted depending upon how it behaves during install.

Then boot the Win7 installation disk as a UEFI device. Your DVD drive will literally be named the EFI DVD-ROM so you know the right one to choose.

Proceed with Clean Install Windows 7 creating your partitions as desired, format, highlight the first large partition for install and click Next.

Report back any errors or failure behavior as there may be an additional setting change needed in BIOS. Every BIOS is different so we'll have to see about yours.

If and when you every reinstall the HD, you may or may not need to turn back on Secure Boot.

ICIT2LOL · 16 Nov 2014

Greg rather a lot of pics but I have never come across aBIOS like this before and I hope you can see the bits I think you were sayingto turn off or not.

gregrocker · 16 Nov 2014

Disable Secure Boot Control.

See if that removes the other Secure boot listings. It should.

Then power down, remove battery, hold power button to release residual power, change out HD for SSD.

Reboot with disk in drive. It will either autostart or you should choose EFI DVD.

If required to add DVD drive in BIOS Boot tab, follow your Manual on the Asus Support Downloads webpage for your model.

ICIT2LOL · 16 Nov 2014

Thanks Greg you are a life saver cos the 8 and that slow drive are driving me nuts, you are a life saver and I shall be sure to check that manual I have in Docs now.

ICIT2LOL · 17 Nov 2014

Greg have disabled the secure boot and those other settings didn't come up. I have changed the boot settings but get a red warning that I don't understand see pics.

ICIT2LOL · 17 Nov 2014

Update worked it out I think mate the secure boor had switched on again even though I changed the boot option - fingers crossed