Solved duel boot on Acer fail

[StaalZA]

Hi guys,

I was reading http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/270057-how-get-acer-laptop-boot-cd.html and seemed to be making progress, but unfortunately the discussion fell flat and my problem persists.

I recently purchased an Acer Aspire V5 Touch which came pre-installed with Windows 8 Single Language. Unfortunately I need this Laptop to run Windows 7 Professional for work. In the past I have played around with Duel booting on my Desktop, however this Acer is proving to be quite a challenge. Thus far I have managed to create a new Volume using the disk management application in Windows 8. I have also managed to set the first boot device in the (F2) bios to the CD/DVD rom by configuring it in the Boot tab as first boot device. Now in theory the Laptop should boot from the Disk while restarting, which doesn't happen.

I have also spammed F12 trying to access the boot menu, to no avail. Every-time the the laptop just boots straight into the log screen.

The ideal would be where I would have Windows 8 and Windows 7 duel boot when booting the laptop.

Please assist

 

[StaalZA]

ok update: I have set the boot option to legacy boot which made the laptop boot from CD. The Win7 installer loaded fine. I then when into the drive options, deleted the partition I made and then chose create partition like I always did with fresh install. After I did that I got a message that read: Can not install windows on this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT.

I have no idea what is wrong, and if I am going about this in the wrong way. Any assist would be greatly appreciated.

 

[whs]

Maybe this helps: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[StaalZA]

Maybe this helps: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html

Thank you for your reply:

If I understand correctly, I need to clear all pre-existing partitions? This troubles me as I am sure that some of the partitions that is on the laptop contains Acer files and the pro-loaded win8 Boot files. I am unsure which partitions would be safe to delete.

Please keep in mind that i am relatively unfamiliar with partitions and how to modify them.

 

[theog]

Downgrade to Windows 7.
Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7
Warning you must have the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.

Make sure you read the NOTE at Step three.

You will need to buy Windows 7.

On Acer, Gateway, P. Bell, Windows 7 x64 will not install in UEFI mode.
You will need to install both Windows 8 & Windows 7 in Legacy mode.

Windows 8 Desktops - How to Disable Secure Boot - YouTube



Enabling the boot device menu

On most Acer systems, you can use the F12 key on boot to select the drive or network from which loading the operating system. In case the F12 option does not work, you may need to enable this function.

SOLUTION

Enabling the F12 function:

1.Power on the system. As soon as the first logo screen appears, immediately press the F2 key, or the DEL key if you have a desktop, to enter the BIOS.
2.Press the right arrow key to select Main.
3.Use the arrow keys to navigate to F12 Boot Menu, and press ENTER.
4.Select Enabled, and press ENTER.
5.Press the F10 key to save changes and restart the system.

How to Enable or Disable Secure Boot

This article only applies to: Windows 8 Desktops

Bootable media from previous versions of Windows may not be recognized in Windows 8. You can change the Secure Boot setting and it should recognize the bootable device.

Use the following steps to change Secure Boot:

1.Completely shut down your computer.
2.Power on the system. As soon as the first logo screen appears, immediately press Delete to enter the BIOS.
3.Use the right arrow key to select Authentication.
4.With Secure Boot highlighted, press Enter and then the down arrow to select Disabled.
5.Use the right arrow key to select Boot Options.
6.With Launch CSM highlighted, press Enter and use the down arrow to select Always.
7.Press Enter.
8.Press the F10 key to save changes and restart the system

ACER Related Videos.

Windows 8 - Access to Uefi Firmware Settings - Option - YouTube
Iconia W700 - How to Enter the BIOS - YouTube
Windows 8 Desktops - How to Disable Secure Boot - YouTube

 

[StaalZA]

Ok Great, Thank you very much for your reply.
I have read through your guide and watched the videos. I did however hit some snags.

Firstly, I managed to enter the Bios using the F2 key.

The options at the top of the Bios screen had a few fewer options than the directions indicated.

aT the tab labelled 'MAIN' I was able to enable the F12 boot function.

When I attempted to disable/enabel 'secure boot' the option was greyed out and would only change if I changed the 'boot mode' in the image to 'legacy'.

Now the problem is that if I leave the boot mode in 'UEFI' it does not boot from the disk even is the disk is set as first boot device and/or I select the DVD in the (F12) boot menu which I enabled in step 1.

If I change the 'boot mode' to 'legacy', the laptop boots from the DVD just fine, win7 installer loads and as soon as I try to install Win7 on the partition I created, I encounter the error that reads "Can not install windows on this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT."

I think it must be some small oversight. If possible, I would rather duel boot than loose the current Win8 installation pre-installed on the laptop.

I welcome your assistance

 

[theog]

On Acer, Gateway, P. Bell, Windows 7 x64 will not install in UEFI mode.

You will need to delete all partition & install both Windows 8 & Windows 7 in Legacy mode.

 

[StaalZA]

On Acer, Gateway, P. Bell, Windows 7 x64 will not install in UEFI mode.

You will need to delete all partition & install both Windows 8 & Windows 7 in Legacy mode.

The windows that comes pre- installed, is there anyway to safe the key, if I need it for later use on this laptop?

 

[whs]

Alternatively you could install Windows 7 with VMware Player in a virtual partition. That would make the task easier.

 

[theog]

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
Recovery Drive - Create with USB Flash Drive in Windows 8
System Repair Disc - Create in Windows 8
​

You can make a Microsoft Recovery USB Drive
Recovery Drive - Create with USB Flash Drive in Windows 8

   Warning

Deleting the Recovery Partition is NOT RECOMMENDED​

   Warning

I personally DO NOT RECOMMEND using this METHOD above, as of the ERRORS you may receive below with the Microsoft Recovery USB Drive.You would be best off using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery DVD's or Recovery USB drive.

I would recommend you making the OEM manufacturer's Recovery DVD's or USB drive.
How to make Acer Recovery disks.
Using Acer Recovery Management to Restore Windows 8
Create a Packard Bell Factory Default Backup in Windows 8

Windows 8 - Create a Factory Default Backup - Acer Recovery Management - YouTube
Windows 8 - Create a Drivers and Applications Backup - Acer Recovery Management - YouTube
Windows 8 - Restore Windows With a USB Recovery Drive - YouTube
or
You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the OEM manufacturer's website.
You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer
or
Acer | Recovery Media
Check in Accessories
or
https://store.acer.com/store?Action...rvicePage&Env=BASE&Locale=en_US&SiteID=acerna
or check the main web site.
Acer Worldwide - Select your local country or region

 

[StaalZA]

You guys are great! making backups. . .
can I make these backups on my portable usb drive?

 

[StaalZA]

can I make these backups on my USB portable?

 

[whs]

Sure, an external disk or large stick would be perfect.

 

[StaalZA]

Dammit, can't make recovery disks on USB portable through Win8 nor through Acer rocovery

 

[theog]

The Windows Recovery USB drive & Recovery Partition can be very problematic, I recommend you also make a Windows System Image.

System Image - Create in Windows 8

Recovery Drive - Create with USB Flash Drive in Windows 8

System Repair Disc - Create in Windows 8

System Image Recovery - Restore Image on Computer in Windows 8

or
look for a 3rd party ,Backup software, which fully supports Windows 8/8.1, uEFI, GPT & Secure Boot.
Which is signed by Microsoft.

 

[gregrocker]

Windows 8 will activate with the license that came on that PC when/if you reinstall it.

What I would do first after enabling Legacy BIOS is boot into installer to wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command as you don't need anything that's on there and would be reverting to the worst possible install one can have to go back to a factory preinstall of any OS.

Instead do a perfect Win7 install following these same steps for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Test Win7 on the machine to see how it runs. If you still want Windows 8, save a space on the HD or shrink Win7 in disk Mgmt to Clean Install - Windows 8 which will configure a Dual Boot.

Since you're installing in flexible Legacy Mode without the troublesome UEFI crapware, we can help you remove either OS at any time going forward. Only if you decide not to keep the machine or need to ship it back for service may you need to run Factory Recovery or the backup image you save of the UEFI factory bloatware install.

 

[StaalZA]

Hey tnx guys! your advice was impeccable. My system is purring like a kitten and with the exception of missing drivers in Win7, everything is smooth sailing!

 

[gregrocker]

Did you run all Important and Optional Updates to completion, after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)? Check for UPdates now to be sure. Double-check Optional.

If so then import the missing drivers in Device Manager from the Acer Support Downloads webpage for your model. If there are no Win7 drivers, first try Windows 8 driver for your bit-version. Google the device for Windows 7 drivers. If no joy post back for more help.
Device Manager - Finding Unknown Devices - Windows 7 Help Forums
Hardware Identification

 

[StaalZA]

Hey thanks man.

Unfortunately the win8 drivers supplied on the Manufacturers' website did not work on Win7, and they did not support win7 on my model, however, I tried the Win7 drivers for my laptops predecessor and it all worked out fine. Thanks again everyone that helped! I can't tell you how much it meant!

 

[gregrocker]

You're most welcome. Let us know how Win7 runs on that laptop.