Ordered new laptop with Win 8 but plan to install Win 7 - partitions?

[gregrocker]

Have you had the storage HD unplugged during your install attempts? If not try that now.

 

[jayrap]

There has been no storage drive plugged in other than the USB with only the Windows 7 boot data - I meant my father has an external HDD and perhaps tomorrow I could borrow it from him providing that creating a system image doesn't require that HDD to be wiped of existing data.

 

[theog]

How to make Acer Recovery disks.
Using Acer Recovery Management to Restore Windows 8

 

[jayrap]

I have a recovery USB and a recover disk (the ones where they recommend 256MB for the DVD/CD and at least 16GB for the USB flash drive - if I restore Windows 8 back to factory after backing up files and THEN try to install Windows 7 in UEFI may it work?

 

[theog]

Recovery using CDs or DVDs

Recovery using CDs or DVDs

How do I reinstall my operating system from Recovery CDs or DVDs?

When Windows cannot be installed from Acer eRecovery Management, use the Recovery CDs or DVDs to re-install all original software:

1.Make a backup of personal data, as the recovery process will erase all your files, such as email and photos.
2.Power off your computer. In case the system is not equipped with a built-in optical drive, connect an external USB optical drive before powering on the system.
3.Power on your computer. When the first logo screen shows, press repeatedly the F12 key to enter the Boot menu.
4.Use the arrow keys to select your optical drive.
5.Insert the disc labelled System CD in the optical drive and press ENTER, The system will load from the Acer Recovery Media.
6.After the system recovery program has loaded follow the prompts to reinstall the operating system.
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In case you did not create your recovery media or have no recovery media available, please contact our Customer Service for information on how to obtain a set of Recovery Discs.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes you can back up an image to external HD. You should also make your Recovery disks if you want the 8 Factory install.

You are choosing to reinstall Win8 so that you can Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7, correct? Therefore the 8 image won't work on an MBR disk required to bypass EFI. It would be saved in case you want to go back to EFI on GPT HD.

Before you proceed I'd be sure I've tried everything possible to succeed at Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7 in EFI mode so that 8 can remain onboard and just install Seven to a Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 - Windows 8 Forums

 

[jayrap]

This weekend has been quite busy for me - I'm going to attempt this evening - yes I want to keep both Win 8 and install Win 7 and hopefully somehow I can get Win 7 on the existing GPT disk on the partition I made for Win 7.

 

[theog]

Can you post a screen shot of Disk management?

 

[jayrap]

The Windows 7 partition is of course, empty
The recovery partition has been deleted in Disk Part after it was recommended in one of the tutorials linked to me here.

 

[gregrocker]

Which tutorial here recommended you delete the Recovery partition? Did you make your disks first?

 

[jayrap]

When dual booting with Windows 8 Preinstalled & Windows 7

Follow Step one to five in this tutorial:
Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

Warning
Before making the partition for Windows 7, delete the OEM Recovery partition at the end of HDD drive.
If you shink C: before deleting the OEM Recovery partition, the C: & the new partition will be converted to Dynamic partitions.

Than follow this tutorial: (installing in uEFI mode.)
Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista

Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

I honestly can't remember if I made the recovery USB before or after deleting the OEM recovery partition.

Also, I haven't backed up my entire drive yet - been too busy lately to do anything on this but I have a few days again.

 

[jayrap]

Uploading a video to YouTube - hope it helps in finding the answer!

 

[jayrap]

YouTube video uploaded:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=a34ustlp-qk

 

[theog]

Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

3) Reset BIOS to default, and reboot to BIOS make sure Secure Boot is disabled.
NOTE: Check your manufacturer's uEFI BIOS manual for settings.

Boot the Windows 7 DVD in uEFI mode.

 

[gregrocker]

Ray he is trying to install with flash stick in his video. It's possible he's gotten something wrong in the extra steps creating the flash stick.

Jay what happens when you try to run the Win7 installer from Win8? You won't be able to format partiitons but it may see and allow you to install to your target partition. Worth a try.

If you can't get the help you need here I would take this to www.EightForums.com where surely they know this stuff by now. [NVM I've just been there and seen the same.]

 

[theog]

Ray he is trying to install with flash stick, not DVD. Did you watch his video? It's possible he's gotten something wrong in the extra steps creating the flash stick.

uEFI/BIOS firmware is not set to boot uEFI CD/DVD.
Will not boot Windows 8 Startup Repair CD.

If you can't get the help you need here I would take this to www.EightForums.com where surely they know this stuff by now.

Need more help with Win 8 & 7 dual-boot (UEFI, GPT)

Jay what happens when you try to run the Windows 7 installer from Win8? You won't be able to format partiitons but it may see and allow you to install to your target partition. Worth a try.

Will not boot in uEFI.

 

[gregrocker]

So this is why you're suggesting return to defaults then disable Secure Boot. If he would show all of the BIOS menus would you be able to spot the setting needed? He could go back to get sub-menus.

His Eight is running in UEFI, are you saying it won't boot without Secure Boot? Because that would kill the idea to run (not boot) the 7 installer from Win8.

I just spent an hour in EF Install forum and it seems there no further along than us on this stuff. I'd hoped they had gotten there already. Guess we will get there together.

 

[jayrap]

So this is why you're suggesting return to defaults then disable Secure Boot. If he would show all of the BIOS menus would you be able to spot the setting needed? He could go back to get sub-menus.

His Eight is running in UEFI, are you saying it won't boot without Secure Boot? Because that would kill the idea to run (not boot) the 7 installer from Win8.

I just spent an hour in EF Install forum and it seems there no further along than us on this stuff. I'd hoped they had gotten there already. Guess we will get there together.

Windows 8 starts up with Secure Boot disabled but not with UEFI disabled so UEFI is enabled.

Currently, thanks to all my turning off and on again when I just miss the tiny windows of opportunity to hit F2 or F12 and Windows 8 starts to boot up: Acer UEFI thingy is now attempting repairs for Windows 8... great... just great... that's all I need - it's been doing so a while now! I am so effing frustrated right now!

 

[jayrap]

can't do the repairs and keeps running into problems and restarting

 

[theog]

All about step three, Greg.

3) Reset BIOS to default, and reboot to BIOS make sure Secure Boot is disabled.
NOTE: Check your manufacturer's uEFI BIOS manual for settings.

The problem with all this - is that it is a bit challenging for the average Joe.

Many people don't even know disk management exists, or powershell ( my dad for example - he has been using a pc several hours a day for over 20 years ). They would be apprehensive about doing anything in Bios setup.

These are the kind of things that act as barriers.

People will just put up with what they been have given - too difficult and (they think ), too risky to do anything about it.