Solved Boot from a different drive on a new computer

[erewhon]

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.

 

[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.

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

 

[erewhon]

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.

 

[theog]

The same as the above.

 

[erewhon]

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?

 

[SIW2]

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.

 

[erewhon]

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

 

[erewhon]

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

 

[SIW2]

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

 

[erewhon]

I unplugged the wifi and it uploaded in less than a minute - it's gonna stay unplugged! Looks like it's attached anyway.

 

[AddRAM]

You need to install the drive AND THEN install windows, you don`t install it on another machine and then move it.

 

[erewhon]

That was the good news. This is what happened next: Windows 8 is asking for 32 GB for the recovery USB.

AddRAM just suggested connecting the new drive and then re-installing Windows 7 on it. Anyone want to second that?

That would be easy as it's a bare bones installation and I have all the app discs.

 

[SIW2]

If you wait a few mins, I can upload the fixed hive. Just replace your current one with it. It should boot up fine.

 

[SIW2]

Here you go. View attachment system-fixed.zip

You will need to do what Theo suggested. It is actually Step 3 in this tut http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html (which explains how to switch to efi ) You need to use legacy mode.

I assume you have the boot files and an active partition on the ssd?

 

[erewhon]

I screwed up - I sent the Windows 8 system file by mistake. I can't go on like this - what happens when the present hard drive fails, what do I do then? I've been unable to disconnect the drive end of the cable to the motherboard. The blu-ray player doesn't work. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I'll sleep on it, but the way feel I now the computer's going back to Staples. Thanks for all you help.

 

[SIW2]

Doesn't sound good. Take it back if you can.

 

[erewhon]

case closed hopefully

Doesn't sound good. Take it back if you can.

Just to follow up on things . . . I was able to get the blu-ray player going (I'd unplugged it myself to make room for the Windows 7 SSD).

I decided to keep the computer and keep my fingers crossed. I live in the boonies in Canada and to return it would take too long. After all I'd read about Windows 8 I was pleasantly surprised to find it quite compliant.

A third party start menu called Start Menu X gets rid of the tiles in short order.

Thanks for modifying the system file. I was lucky to be able to zip it by right clicking. But not so lucky in picking the right version!