Solved want to install my copy of Windows 7

[ProdigyWarrior]

Hello guys!Recently I've purchased a brand new desktop PC with Windows 8 pre-installed on it.However I don't like win8 and want to install my copy of win7 that i own from previous PC.My motherboard has UEFI higher than 2 ver. I followed all the steps from this and other tutorials (created an UEFI bootable USB,converted my clean disk to gpt,copied and renamed to bootx64.efi etc) but I have these problems:1)After my PC boots from USB with win7 installation files on it, when "windows is starting" logo appears it freezes.This happens when I try to install windows from startup.2)When my pc operates with win8 and I run the installer (setup.exe) from windows environment,not bios/uefi,the installation starts normally.I chose where to install win7 (a clean disk) and after copying and repacking at first restart I have the same freeze when logo shows up.I restart manually the pc and boot to win8 again and check my disks I see that clean disk remains clean (nevertheless I pointed to install win on it) and the disk that contains my win8 has some new folders created by the installation ($windows_lt $windows_bt or sth like that) Why in both cases the installation just freezes and what happens with my disks?why it is being installed to C when I indicate to install to E ?
Hope you understood what i mean.thanks in advance!!

 

[gregrocker]

Make sure you have the latest BIOS firmware version.

There may be another setting that needs adjustment in BIOS setup. Sometimes CSM is required even if installing to UEFI. Look also for a Legacy BIOS setting which may need adjustment - what are the choices?

When you boot the stick is it listed as a UEFI device?

I would write it again using Option One in UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows.

If nothing works then having the UEFI crapware is not worth the headache, so I'd Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7

 

[ProdigyWarrior]

Thank Greg!!I checked legacy BIOS setting - it was set to disable, I enabled it and the installation run just fine! Yes when I boot the flash it is listed as UEFI device. I cant find something about CSM in my BIOS. But thanks anyway I fixed it with Legacy BIOS adjustment!!

 

[gregrocker]

Good work. Let us know how it goes.

Other tips here assure a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
and are same for retail.

 

[ProdigyWarrior]

Hello again!!I have solved the problem with installation.The problem was that Legacy BIOS was disabled.However after solving this problem,another one emerged:I installed win7 on a clean disk.When the system is running I have no internet connection.I checked for drivers for my PC online (from another disk with win8 installed).Here are the results:from official Realtek site I have downloaded more than a dozen drivers bot none of them worked for me (tested on win7 drive).Then I proceeded to HP site to find these drivers.There I had my pc scanned for hardware (while running win8 OS) and 1 option was given:download drivers for win8 which are not compatible with win7 (I tried to install them too).On site was an option "Not your operating system?" I clicked it and new page opened that says <<If the operating system you are looking for is not listed on the software download site, HP does not have software or driver downloads available for your computer and operating system. HP provides software and driver updates for the operating system that originally came with your computer as it was designed and tested for the operating system purchased with the PC. Changing the operating system on your computer (upgrading or downgrading), puts the system into a configuration that might not work with the hardware design. If you you must change the operating system, get drivers from the manufacturer of the component you need. For example, if a computer has NVIDIA video hardware and was upgraded to a newer version of Windows, someone would go to NVIDIA's web site to download and install an updated driver.>>
This is the original message.Does this mean that my hardware is not compatible with win7 or its compatible but without internet connection?
One other issue that I have after installing win7:When I have 1 disk connected, the one with win8 or the other with win7, PC boots normally.When I have both disks connected I get this message at startup:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."
3. Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance

File: \Windows\system32\winload.efi

Status: 0xc000000f

Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt

Please note that its winload.efi not .exe (after web search most people had the same problem but with winload.exe).I tried to run startup repair from installation media (usb) but startup repair said that this version of windows cannot be repaired.
What I want:1 PC with 2 HDDs with 1 OS on each,both connected at the same time to motherboard and both OS working properly (not at the same time XD ) and I want to chose which OS to boot from startup menu.Is this possible??
Thank you again and I hope I didn't tire you.

 

[gregrocker]

You should be following the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
which specify to have your wireless or ethernet driver in your backup in case it's not provided by Win7.

You should also have had your ethernet cable connected as it is more likely to have a driver provided during install so you can get online, enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3), then get most all of your drivers including wireless delivered when you run all Important and Optional Windows Updates.

So plug in your ethernet cable now, enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) to see if it loads a driver. If so connect to network, Check for Updates and install all Important and Optional ones as everything is needed and includes important patches to make hardware and software work correctly. Deselect Bingware.

If not as it says in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 import your ethernet or wireless driver from the HP Support Downloads webpage for your model. If several are listed try them all, rightclicking their extracted .exe to Run as Administrator. If you will post back your model we can help you find the correct driver. If wireless can't be found right away try ethernet as Windows Update is likely to deliver the wireless driver once you enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) and install all Important and Optional driver, with reboots, until no more are offered.

If this continues to be a problem, trace the missing driver's Hardware Identification in Device Manager, then google for the driver or post back the information and we will help you find the driver. Any Vista and most Win8 drivers should work, although you may need to install in Compatibility Mode . I have never not been able to find any driver.

 

[ProdigyWarrior]

Dear Greg!
First of all I owe a HUGE THANK YOU for your support!!!
Now,be sure that I have read your guide about clean re-install,but this is more likely clear install (I also read this tut) rather than re-install, because I had no previous OS installed on this drive,it was clean.It is impossible to create a backup of anything from my old win7 installation because the HDD was harmed badly and works no more.My ethernet cable is plugged into my PC all the time and automatic update settings for windows and drivers are ON,as you describe in guide,step 3.
Now about HP support dl page.I can navigate there only through my win8 OS.The page can "see" that I'm running win8 (it scans my hardware to find the model of PC) and provide me with drivers for win8 that don't work on 7,and says that there are no such drivers for this hardware because it was designed for win8.Note that this PC can connect to the internet only through ethernet cable,no wireless card is installed.
Info about hardware:
HP 110-120ev Desktop PC (ENERGY STAR)
CPU: Intel Core i3 3240T @ 2.90GHz Ivy Bridge 22nm Technology
Motherboard:
Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
Model 2AFB (SOCKET 0)
Version 1.00
Chipset Vendor Intel
Chipset Model Ivy Bridge
Chipset Revision 09
Southbridge Vendor Intel
Southbridge Model H61
Southbridge Revision B3
Network: Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller
If these details about my PC can help you I will be glad!!
I will try now the trick with compatibility mode,but in your post you warn us not to install any antiviruses or other system stuff in compatibility mode,to avoid data loss or security risks.Does this warning apply to network drivers too?
Thank you again for your time!!!

 

[gregrocker]

Nothing was said about having HP scan your Win8 PC for drivers. I was quite specific to go to the HP Support Downloads webpage for your exact model. Put in Win7 for OS. I am on phone so will have to check for this later if you can't.

The steps for install and setup are nearly the same in tutorial. Ignore what doesn't apply.

 

[ProdigyWarrior]

Tried to run the installer in compatibility mode,didn't work. I get the error message: the application could not be installed because your system is not compatible with this version.I also tried compatibility troubleshooting,but nothing.I searched the HP site,my model is not in list of products if I go-->Browse by product categories. So I type my model in search bar and there it is,but the only versions of drivers available are those for win8 x64 and win8.1 x64 there is no option for win7 and I cant just type it,there's a drop-down menu.

 

[gregrocker]

Are you sure you have correct bit version?

Do you know the actual wireless adapter model you need? You can google that Realtek Ethernet adapter for a Win7 driver but its so common it should have loaded if you followed that step to plug in wire and enable Device driver installation. Did you?

I gave you a dozen other ways including to trace with the Hardware ID. What did you find?

Please complete every step given and post back results. This requires utmost thoroughness, not giving up after first step

 

[ProdigyWarrior]

Yes I have the correct bit version.No I don't know the exact model number.Where can I find it?Two days now I'm googling for realtek ethernet drivers.I have found about 6000 drivers,I can't test'em all.Yes as I previously said my network cable is plugged all the time into my PC and driver installation is enabled.But how can PC connect to internet in order to download something (drivers,updates,whatever) if the network adapter drivers are not installed and are absolutely necessary to make a connection?
Finding drivers by using hardware ID was not hard task,HP provides all the drivers for this computer but only for 8th OS.
I ensure you that I am trying to fix this for two days now and I don't give up after the first try.I have hit so many queries in Google,I have read your guides (not once),I have booted and rebooted my PC literally about 100 times since yesterday but still no luck..

 

[gregrocker]

What is the hardware ID for Ethernet and wireless drivers in Device Manager? I said to post it if you couldn't find the driver by Googling it.

You are sure no Network Drivrs are installed there?

If not they will be showing in error with a ! Mark. May be listed as Network Controller

 

[ProdigyWarrior]

Greg you really ROCK!!!
Yes I am sure that there were no drivers installed 1)Network diagnostics said that and 2)In device manager there was no entry "Network adapter" or sth like that, instead there was one entry "Other" which contained network adapter (named Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller and not RTL8106) and couple other things (don't remember now),all marked with "!" in yellow triangle.
After googling for hours I found the ethernet controller's ID .I was actually searching for ID of my whole machine. On one site I found all the individual hardware parts' IDs that are installed on my computer, organised in one list.Here helped your hint (google for hardware ID,I thought you meant whole PC's ID and not network adapter's one,in previous reply you cleared this well but I found the solution before reading that)So the network adapter's ID was RTL8106.From here and on it was easy,I googled for the particular driver,downloaded and installed it.After that internet came to my system,windows update downloaded some other drivers that were missing or out of date and here I am typing this post from my fresh win7 OS.

VERY VERY VERY BIG THANK YOU!!!​

You were very helpful,I really appreciate that!!!
Best regards!!

 

[gregrocker]

Good work!

You can click the blue links for illustrated tutorials like the one Id posted for http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73420-hardware-identification.html

Did you get your wireless adapter via Windows Update?

What drivers are still missing?

 

[ProdigyWarrior]

No, I dont have wireless card ,only ethernet connection. None driver is missing now. The graphics related driver was missing or outdated(aero theme wasn't working properly and I could not use full resolution of my monitor) at the moment that I installed network controller driver. After that windows automatically updated everything

 

[gregrocker]

Good work Warrior!

 

[ProdigyWarrior]

Thanks!!! what would I do without your guidance?