Really Fubar Computer!

[c5vetter]

Okay, bought HP pavilion g7 laptop with AMD dual core processor, and pre-loaded with Windows 8. Tried to get used to layout and just do NOT like Windows 8. I also wanted to dual-boot with Ubuntu 12.10. Well appears I have deleted or whatever the MBR!

Okay what can I can do to get back to where I started from? I want to install Windows 7 and then dual-boot Ubuntu, but not sure how I get there from here!? Ubuntu 12.10 is installed, as when I start-up the computer Ubuntu loads and I can do what I want within Ubuntu. But also, want Windows 7 installed, etc.

So, need step-by-step hand-holding to get back to Windows installation of Windows 7. I will then install Ubuntu 12.10 for the dual-boot I want.

Sorry, to be so long-winded, but I am frustrated as hell! Would not have bought new laptop, but my old HP Pavilion dv8000 is dying and needed to be replaced. It is running Windows 7 and Ubuntu in dual-boot with no problems. And, that is what I want to do with the new laptop.

 

[indianacarnie]

Welcome to the forums.Do you have a legal copy of 7 to replace it with?

 

[Ztruker]

Good set of directions here: Dual-Boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu in Perfect Harmony

 

[gregrocker]

In order to Upgrade a Win8 PC to Win7 you must disable Secure Boot in BIOS, then follow the steps to install to UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums.

The steps are outlined here: "Downgrade" Windows 8 to Windows 7

 

[c5vetter]

Okay, here is the problem that I think folks missed! Started out with Window 8 on new computer. Attempted to dual-boot Ubuntu. Went through all the steps to disable Secure Boot, etc. Somehow in all the different ideas folks have provided me, I have DELETED the MBR (i.e., there is NO NTFS partition), but only Ubuntu partition.

So, how do I get back to where I can install a "legal Windows 7" disk - software has NEVER been opened.

Whenever I start the computer Ubuntu loads and I can use Ubuntu, except for the fact I keep getting an error saying there is only about 120m of space left as Ubuntu files are at the end of the 750g disk!

So, like I mentioned, I really did FUBAR the computer and am needing help to get an NTFS partition back so Windows can install

 

[Ztruker]

Just follow the directions in the link I gave you. It's all in there.

 

[gregrocker]

If you only disabled Secure Boot and didn't also enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module, then you still must follow the extra steps to install Win7 to UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums.

However if you have neither Secure Boot or EFI just install Win7 normally. During booted install, delete the Win8 and System Reserved partitions, create a new partition there, format and install as shown in Clean Install Windows 7.

In addition to the method for Dual Booting Rich posted above here are some other Linux Dual Boot resources: Dual Boot Ubuntu - EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki
Dual boot Ubuntu-Win7

 

[c5vetter]

ALL,

Nothing happens when I insert the Windows 7 disk - Ubuntu still loads and comes up! So................

 

[c5vetter]

Okay, Ztruker, do NOT see situation for starting with Ubuntu installed to start with and trying to install Windows 7! There is NO NTFS partition so Windows doesn't know what to do...............that is what I need to recreate is that MBR NTFS Windows partition!

 

[gregrocker]

In order to Upgrade a Win8 PC to Win7 you must disable Secure Boot in BIOS, then follow the steps to install to UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums.

The steps are outlined here: "Downgrade" Windows 8 to Windows 7

Did you even read the steps I posted above? You cannot install Win7 or any other OS to a Win7 PC until you disable Secure Boot in BIOS setup.

Then you must install in UEFI mode unless you also enable Legacy BIOS to install normally to an MBR disk. Until you delete all partitions during install you have a GPT disk which has no MBR.

If you have questions then ask back but don't just ignore critical steps which are given and repeat the problem. I was reacting to the problem.

 

[c5vetter]

Yes, I read the steps! And, Like I mentioned there is NOTHING in what you provided that addresses the fact that Ubuntu is installed and nothing else. Which is the problem I am facing!

Okay, going to restate everything REAL SLOW!

START WITH - Have bought new HP Pavilion g7z Laptop AMD Dual-Core A6-4400M 2.6GHz laptop and want to install / dual-boot Ubuntu 12.10. Have Ubuntu LiveCD, which I used on Windows 7 machine with no problems.

NEXT - So, figured out that I needed to DISABLE SecureBoot to load software. And, also needed to make sure CD/DVD boot was first rather than hard drive.

NEXT - I attempted to install on new laptop, and did a reboot when required, and appeared laptop hung. So, did a hard power off, and screen came up with choose Windows or Ubuntu, and clicked on Ubuntu and got an error of some sort. Clicked on ESCAPE key and it automatically took me to Windows.

Appears Ubuntu was loaded, as now have a "F drive", which did not have prior to attempting install. So, am confused as to where to go from here.

NEXT - Okay, finally got around to doing the Boot Repair and the report it generated is: paste.ubuntu.com/1647711

Bios boot on sda4/efi/ubuntu/grubx64.efifile

Also, stated the boot files of the OS now in use - Ubuntu 12.10 are far from the start of the disk. Your Bios may not detect them. You may want to retry after creating a /boot/efi partition (FAT 32, 100mb - 250mb, start of the disk boot flag). This can be performed via tools such as gPartd. Then select partition in the [separate/boot/efi partitionoption of Boot Repair]

Also, attempted to install some software and was told I had run out of space or was running out of space in /??????? WTFO, have 750gb hard drive!? So, guess something is definitely fishy in Holland!

NEXT - Okay - installed gparted and here is what I have

dev/sda1 ext4 /boot 2.7g
dev/sda2 ext 4 / 3.78g
dev/sda3 ext 4 /home 232.83g
dev/sda4 fat32 boot/efi 33.0m
dev/sda5 swap 2.79g
unallocated 354g

NEXT - Attempted to continue to hit "F11" as computer started. Briefly noted "F11" system restore in bottom left-hand corner of screen. As soon as I released "F11" key Ubuntu loaded.

So, again what I need help with is HOW DO I return the laptop to a state where I can install Windows 7 (do NOT want Windows 8) and dual-boot with Ubuntu. There has to be a way to UNDO the fubar on my part!? Please NOTE there is NO NTFS partition and thus NO MBR for Windows to look for during install! Ubuntu does NOT know what to with a Windows install disk.

Hope this long-winded retort makes sense and someone is able to help.

BTW - to do a Windows 8 downgrade (your instruction set gregrocker) requires that Windows 7 Pro be used, and of course this is predicated on the fact that Windows 8 Pro is what was on the laptop. The OEM Windows 8 was just the vanilla version loaded by HP. So, a downgrade NOT even possible!

 

[gregrocker]

You said you wanted to install Win7, so I assumed you have a retail copy of Win7. The steps for downgrade were for using a retail copy no matter what version it is. Do you have a retail copy of Win7, or plan to get one?

If not your questions would best be addressed to our sister Windows 8 Forums, or to a Linux forums, rather than to www.sevenforums.com where we specialize in Windows 7.

However hopefully someone with more Linux knowledge will help you.

 

[c5vetter]

Yes, I have an unopened Windows 7 installation disk. But again, in looking at Windows 8, the downgrade can ONLY occur if Windows 8 PRO is loaded (mine is NOT), and you are downgrading with Win 7 PRO. Again, my original plan was to try and dual-boot Windows 8 and Ubuntu. When I attempted to, posted many questions and then started down the fubar path. Am now attempting to recover to a state that I could install Windows 7 (do NOT want Windows 8) and dual-boot Ubuntu. I have another laptop with Win 7/Ubuntu dual-boot and had NO PROBLEMS with setting that up. Problem is that computer is dying and thus new laptop.

Thanks for all your links and suggestions.

 

[gregrocker]

The steps in the tutorial I gave you are to install Win7 to a Win8 PC no matter what Win7 version you are using.

Do not get hung up on the term "Downgrade" which is not used in an official capacity Win8 Pro>Win7 here but describing a process to change from a new Win8 PC to the Win7 OS, period. The rest you conjured up in your imagination.

Do you understand EFI which is what you have on the PC in addition to Secure Boot that is new and must be handled differently? If not please watch this video:



If you want to isntall Win7 in UEFI then follow these steps: UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums . You must turn off Secure BOot first.

If you don't want to mess with UEFI now then follow these steps to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7

 

[c5vetter]

Not conjuring anything up about Win Pro 8 downgrade - was on an official MS webpage. But, be that as it may, how do I get around Ubuntu loading when I start up the computer so I can do what the tutorials you mention advise to do? I need to get the computer back to a Windows state-of-mind, which it is not in now! How do I recover the MBR, and thus the NTFS partition so I can install Windows 7? That is the ultimate question I think I have been consistently asking

 

[gregrocker]

I just told you what to do to install Win7 on the PC, with EFI or not.

The problem is you don't pay attention, or you'd have watched the video and come back with an informed answer to the options I posed after it.

 

[c5vetter]

So, what you provided tells how to fix NOT having the NTFS partition? Well, if that is the case then I did NOT pay attention. But, I do NOT believe there is anything about Ubuntu being on the system and my wanting to recover to a Windows-state. Could be wrong, and IF I am then I will apologize. I will find out when I get home from the office.

 

[gregrocker]

Forget about NTFS partition and Ubuntu on the HD. You need to install Win7 and are facing the hurdles of Secure Boot and EFI special installation steps (or bypassing them) which is what I am trying to get you to focus upon. NTFS is handled during booted install by the installer, and Ubuntu you can deal with later from our Dual Boot tutorial.

 

[c5vetter]

Okay, attempted to burn the download and found out did NOT have a DVD in the house! Then tried to burn to USB stick and keep getting an error of some kind. So, will drop by store and buy DVD and attempt again tonite. I still am NOT convinced that when I insert the DVD into the drive and then start the computer up that Ubuntu will allow the DVD to load!?

 

[gregrocker]

Ubuntu has no say about booting from the BIOS which doesn't even consult the HD unless you let it go too far without interrupting it via the ESC or F9 BIOS Boot Menu key to choose DVD or flash drive.

What error are you getting when writing the ISO to flash stick? Using a fresh ISO for your licensed version, write to stick with UltraISO Software To Create Bootable USB Flash Drive. This works when others fail.