Install Windows 7 on an old non UEFI bios.

[OldSchool297]

Hi. Is it possible to install windows 7 on an old bios that doesn't support UEFI/Legacy? I got an old Acer Aspire T120/1,9ghz x86, 2gb memory and geforce fx 5200 grafic card/BIOS-version/Phoenix Technologies, LTD R01-A1, 2003-12-02.

 

[SIW2]

If it came with vista, then it should be able to run win7.

 

[wkeller]

Hi. Is it possible to install windows 7 on an old bios that doesn't support UEFI/Legacy?

Windows 7 supports BIOS-boot with no problems.


I recommend you 32-bit version for old machines. It is MUCH faster than 64-bit one.

 

[Alejandro85]

Not having UEFI will make the install ]much easier, with a normal BIOS everything just works.

Generally speaking, the older the system, the easier is to get it compatible with the software. But also be aware of some potential performance issues if you go on a too old system. Most systems which have Vista bundled weren't really capable of running Vista.

 

[OldSchool297]

For some reason the dvd stops loading when the blue windows logo turns up at the installation, i tried to install vista and it worked so it can't be my dvd burner that is faulty. I can't even get to the choice harddrive window. i don't see any text at all only the logo.

 

[SIW2]

I don't recall a blue windows logo from all the win7 installations I have done.

It should say press any key to boot from cd/dvd,
then "Windows is Loading Files" and a white loading bar across the bottom of the screen ,
then "Starting Windows" and some colored blobs.

How to Install Windows 7 From a CD or DVD Tutorial Guide Walkthrough - YouTube

 

[SIW2]

If you have the space on your disk, I suggest creating a separate partition to install win7. That will leave your current vista installation intact, in case you screw something up.

It is also useful if there are some machine specific drivers- you can browse from your new 7 partition to your vista partition to get the drivers.

 

[OldSchool297]

I don't get to the white bar with loading files, you can be right the logo is more green, I tried a Vista installation dvd and it worked so my dvd burner works. I can se the windows 7 dvd and files in Vista and acces the setup but not install in windows, i don't think it can be installed on old bios? I have read about it, or is it only the 64 one? I tried the Windows 7 boot installation for 2 hours but the only thing is that the green center logo shows and the red harddrive light och the green dvd light, lights together for about 1min then nothing happens.

 

[torchwood]

Hi

Blue screens are usually driver related, when you downloaded W7 did you make sure it was the 32 bit version, 64bit wont process on a 32bit only motherboard

PS as you only have 2gb ram home or Business versions only - certainly not Ultimate.


Roy

 

[file3456]

I don't even know if you should attempt to install Windows 7. I don't see on the Acer site drivers for a T120. And if there are you need the Vista drivers which should work in Win 7 or the Win 7 drivers if they provide them. You will want to use the 32 bit version of Windows 7 and 32 bit drivers as you only have 2 GB of RAM. If you had a 64 bit capable CPU and at least 4 GB of RAM, then you could use a 64 bit OS.

Yes, you can install Windows 7 in a regular BIOS. Windows 7 doesn't need UEFI to operate.

As to the boot issue on installing Windows 7, I'm not sure. The Acer T120 was built for XP and it's quite old.

 

[SIW2]

I don't know what you mean by the green center logo.

If you aren't getting Windows Loading Files, it could be:

Either the iso was not burned to dvd correctly

Or your machine doesn't support the WIN7 el torito.

If your machine supports booting from usb:

You could create a bootable usb from the win7 iso - there are programs that will do it for you.

View attachment Usb7ice.zip


The other way that works for users of old hardware is to create a bootable iso using vista etfsboot.com

Easy way:

Use an iso handler to pick up a vista installation iso, delete the contents, then add the contents of the win7 32 bit iso and save it. That takes less than a minute.

OR replace the win7 iso bootsector with the vista version.


gburner trial is fully functional for 30 days, and easy to use.
gBurner - A powerful CD, DVD and BD burning software

I don't get to the white bar with loading files, you can be right the logo is more green, I tried a Vista installation dvd and it worked so my dvd burner works. I can se the windows 7 dvd and files in Vista and acces the setup but not install in windows, i don't think it can be installed on old bios? I have read about it, or is it only the 64 one? I tried the Windows 7 boot installation for 2 hours but the only thing is that the green center logo shows and the red harddrive light och the green dvd light, lights together for about 1min then nothing happens.

 

[SIW2]

Use Vista boot info and gburner trial version

View attachment ETFSBOOT-VISTA.zip

gBurner - A powerful CD, DVD and BD burning software



1. Click Open





2. Browse to win 7 iso file




3. DELETE BOOT INFORMATION-OK IT IF IT ASKS




4.CLICK ADD BOOT INFORMATION




5. BROWSE TO THE VISTA BOOT INFORMATION FILE




6. ADD IT-OK IT IF IT ASKS

 

[SIW2]

7. Save as



8. Give the new iso a name - it then takes a few seconds to save the new iso



9. Click burn - after ticking the verify box



10. Burning new iso image to dvd

 

[OldSchool297]

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it. I downloaded a windows: Windows 7 SP1 X86 X64 AIO OEM 27in1 en-US APRIL 2018 {Gen2} (download torrent) - TPB

 

[SIW2]

That is a frankenstein iso. It probably uses windows 10 setup files. You could try replacing the boot info as described in my previous couple of posts. It might work.

I am more certain it will work with a proper win7 iso, but you can try it with the iso you have

 

[OldSchool297]

Thank you for the help, i will try downloading another if it not work i will replace as you said.

 

[SIW2]

Let us know how it goes

 

[OldSchool297]

What to replace? I downloaded WinISO.

http://images2.********.com/86/67/15/fd78cc1081419064.jpg

 

[SIW2]

I downloaded WinISO.

Why? Gburner is fully functional free trial. I gave you the link and the screenshot instructions for gburner.
Follow the instructions I posted.

 

[OldSchool297]

What to replace? I downloaded WinISO.