BSOD After Reverting Back To Windows 7 From Windows 10 - Can't log in

[Alkri]

I've checked a lot of forums and haven't found a solution to the problem so far. I see similar issues to mine, but no fix just yet.

*I have a 2011 Asus ROG with Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit.
*It has a 500 gb HD and 2 SATA drives.
*Nvidia GeForce GTX 560M

(I would post more about the specs, but I can't get to them at the moment. I would like to download the DM log collector, but I don't see how I can at this point. I will edit this post once I'm able to.)

While my laptop was compatible with Windows 10, it performed poorly after the update. Programs became laggy and some programs didn't open at all. Steam took a while to load, and some games no longer worked. Browsing was slow and the laptop was suddenly 'noisy'. I decided to revert back to Windows 7 while it was still being offered (I had 30 days, but I didn't need that long to decide).

I got the BSOD with the 0x0000007E error.
I tried rebooting to safe mode, but the cursor is frozen in the center. I can, however, use both cursor and keyboard when I do Startup Repair. It gives me a Problem Event Name: StartupRepairOffline. It won't let me restore. I can't find any restore points (even though I did a backup). I do have another back up on an external hard drive. I went into BIOS and changed the boot priority so it boots from the external HD. When it did, I saw a repair Windows 7 (or something similar), and it brought me back to startup repair.

I've also backed up my files in that HD using Kaspersky's backup and restore system. I'm not sure if that's the same as a system image backup, however, or if the back up was just files on my hard drive. When I do the system image option though, it's asking me to install a driver since it's not detecting the external HD.
I did try the Bootrec /FixMbr and FixBoot options and it gives me a Total identified Windows installations:0

I haven't tried a windows repair cd (?) since I don't have one, and I don't have a windows installation disc either.

1. What are my options at this point?
2. If I do a factory restore (I know it wipes out the entire drive), will I be able to restore my files/programs? from the external HD after the clean install/factory restore?
3. I've read that I need a Windows Key when I do a windows install. Where do I get this? Will I have to purchase Windows 7? And will that wipe out my data anyway? Can I save some files before that happens (the last backup on my HD was a month or so ago).

I can't get into any of the safe modes, and all the other options when I hit F8 returns me to the BSOD.
Please advise. Thank you

 

[axe0]

Hi Alkri,

Welcome to the 7forums

1. I'm not sure, I'm not 100% aware of all the possibilities.
2. Yes, but if you're doing a copy/paste it will cause issues mainly with the registry.
3. You don't have to worry about the key, it is imbedded in the BIOS and thus your installation should activate automatically. You need a Windows key when the OS you want to install is not pre-installed and thus the activation isn't imbedded in the BIOS, though with Windows 10 it works slightly diffferent.