Reformatting Laptop From Windows 8 to Windows 7?

[SonicBrewtality]

I gave my old broken laptop to a friend to fix up, it had a number of hardware problems and needed a reformat as well. Anyway he did his work and it's running fine, but he's put Windows 8 on it when it was a Windows 7 laptop. I'm finding some things don't respond as well as they should but i really just want my old 7 experience back. The question is, if i run my recovery discs (the ones that you create upon getting a new computer) will it recover it back to W7 or will i need to get a W7 disc and do a whole clean install.

Here is my exact laptop showing all the specs: HP Pavilion dv3-2310ea Laptop PC (13.3-inch LED with Multi-Touch Technology, Windows 7 Home Premium, Intel Core i3 i3-350M Processor, 3 GB DDR3 RAM, 250 GB HDD, 802.11 b/g/n Networking, ATI Radeon HD 4550 Graphics): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessor

Thanks.

 

[AddRAM]

Yes, they will put it back to Windows 7, but it`s best to do a clean install.

Remember you will need your drivers, so use Windows 8 to get them before you start.

At least get the network drivers.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[SonicBrewtality]

Ok thanks, i'v found m list of drivers here Software & Driver Downloads HP Pavilion dv3-2310ea Entertainment Notebook PC | HP® Support

There are old and new versions, can i install the newest ones or do i need to start with the old ones and then upgrade once installed?

 

[AddRAM]

Always install the newest/latest drivers.

 

[SonicBrewtality]

Might have a problem, the W7 product key label on the base of the laptop has worn away and is unreadable.

 

[DavidE]

To do a clean install you need the key on the COA sticker, or buy a new Win 7 license.

You should be able to use the Recovery discs you created to restore the laptop to "factory condition".
Those discs should restore the system with a OEM pre-activated key.

 

[SonicBrewtality]

To do a clean install you need the key on the COA sticker, or buy a new Win 7 license.

You should be able to use the Recovery discs you created to restore the laptop to "factory condition".
Those discs should restore the system with a OEM pre-activated key.

Will factory condition include all the drivers it came with too?

 

[AddRAM]

Yes

 

[theog]

Check the HP video:
Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7) | HP® Support

 

[mjf]

Ditto to the above. If you ended up sticking with the Windows 8 I'd find out where it came from.