GPT partition problem when installing windows 7

[thepete85]

I recently bought a Dell Inspiron 17r that came preloaded with Windows 8. I tried it out for a few weeks but I didn't really like it, so I bought Windows 7 Home Premium CD.

I restarted my laptop and set the boot priority to CD first and entered the set up, selected custom, but when I try to select a partition I get an error:

"Windows cannot be installed to this disk: The selected disk is of the GPT partition style.

Windows cannot be installed to this hard disk space. This hard disk space is formatted with an unsupported version of the NTFS file system. Please back up any data you have on this partition. Then, restart the computer using the Windows installation disc, perform a custom installation and reformat the hard disk partition."

The windows 8 disk didn't come with the laptop when I bought it, so I don't know how to reformat the hard disk. As well, I'm afraid in an effort to use the partition I selected the delete and format option during the setup, so....errr I can't...use it now haha

Can someone please help?

 

[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 Pendrive on a PC with a uEFI BIOS.
USB Pendrive need to be formated 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.

 

[thepete85]

Thanks for the quick reply, I'll give this a shot and report back!