Solved Windows 7 Hard Drive in a Windows 8 Computer

[MrBusaa]

I just installed Crysis 3 digital download into my new CyberPower BlackPearl computer with Windows 8 Pro 64 bit. The download came with Crysis 1 and 2, as well as 3, so I decided to start from the beginning, being I am unfamiliar with Crysis. Low and behold it will not work on a Windows 8 computer (Crysis 1 and 2). This is what Crysis tech support told me anyway.

So my old HP computer has windows 7 Home Premium but does not have the proper hardware to run Crysis.

I would like help with installing and running the hard drive from the HP with Windows 7 on the BlackPearl with windows 8 Pro with Media Center.

 

[Brink]

Hello MrBusaa, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Unfortunately, since the Windows 7 on the HP PC is an OEM copy that came preinstalled on the HP, you will not be able to use that copy of Windows 7 on any other computer. OEM product key numbers are permanently tied to the motherboard of the PC they were first activated on, and never for any other PC.

 

[gregrocker]

If you have a Win7 retail license for that same version that came on the HP, then you can move it and reactivate afterwards at Control Panel>System.

But if it's a WIn8 PC then it has Secure Boot which must be turned off in BIOS Setup to run Win7.

If Win7 is installed normally to an MBR HD you also need to select Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module in BIOS setup. If CSM I'd choose Dual Mode so it remains compatible with other OS's running in EFI mode. If it's installed in EFI mode then you can leave the EFI settings as they are.

However its not often that Win7 will start when moved to new hardware without adjustment. If necessary do this adjustment by downloading Paragon Adaptive Restore CD, rightclick ISO file to burn/Open with Windows Image Burner to CD, boot and point it at the new HD Win7 on C to P2P Adjust.

 

[MrBusaa]

If you have a Win7 retail license for that same version that came on the HP, then you can move it and reactivate afterwards at Control Panel>System.

But if it's a WIn8 PC then it has Secure Boot which must be turned off in BIOS Setup to run Win7.

If Win7 is installed normally to an MBR HD you also need to select Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module in BIOS setup. If CSM I'd choose Dual Mode so it remains compatible with other OS's running in EFI mode. If it's installed in EFI mode then you can leave the EFI settings as they are.

However its not often that Win7 will start when moved to new hardware without adjustment. If necessary do this adjustment by downloading Paragon Adaptive Restore CD, rightclick ISO file to burn/Open with Windows Image Burner to CD, boot and point it at the new HD Win7 on C to P2P Adjust.

Yeah when I installed the hard drive in the Win8 comp and selected Win7 as the boot it say it was missing hardware and asked for the Win7 cd to begin repair.

 

[gregrocker]

Please respond to the steps.

Is Secure Boot disabled, and Legacy BIOS enabled if Win7 was installed normally to an MBR HD?

Boot into Win7 DVD or REpair CD for the Win7 version you have, run Startup Repair.

If that fails try Paragon Adaptive Restore CD. It may prompt for SATA driver from the HP chipset for your model.

 

[MrBusaa]

If you have a Win7 retail license for that same version that came on the HP, then you can move it and reactivate afterwards at Control Panel>System.

But if it's a WIn8 PC then it has Secure Boot which must be turned off in BIOS Setup to run Win7.

If Win7 is installed normally to an MBR HD you also need to select Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module in BIOS setup. If CSM I'd choose Dual Mode so it remains compatible with other OS's running in EFI mode. If it's installed in EFI mode then you can leave the EFI settings as they are.

However its not often that Win7 will start when moved to new hardware without adjustment. If necessary do this adjustment by downloading Paragon Adaptive Restore CD, rightclick ISO file to burn/Open with Windows Image Burner to CD, boot and point it at the new HD Win7 on C to P2P Adjust.

Greg can you put this in terms a little less technical. I am downloading the file now but then what should I do with it?

 

[MrBusaa]

Please respond to the steps.

Is Secure Boot disabled, and Legacy BIOS enabled if Win7 was installed normally to an MBR HD?

Boot into Win7 DVD or REpair CD for the Win7 version you have, run Startup Repair.not sure this applies. The Win7 computer is running fine as is the Win8.

If that fails try Paragon Adaptive Restore CD. It may prompt for SATA driver from the HP chipset for your model.

The Win7 comp doesn't have a disk. Can I put the hardrive back in it and create one?
Not sure about the secure boot. Don't know what it is even?

 

[MrBusaa]

The Win7 computer is running fine it just doesn't have the hardware needed to run Crysis (EA video game)
I thought I could just put that hard drive with Win 7 into my new Win 8 computer and boot to that drive and then run the game from there but the boot fails saying that it is missing hardware.

 

[gregrocker]

If you're planning to continue running Win8 then you should not mess with this since it involves critical settings in the BIOS which you apparently aren't able to access or change.

You'd also have to have a Compatibility Module setting available to select Dual Mode in order to run both an EFI Win8 HD and an MBR Win7 HD, and not all BIOS have these settings since each is different in how it handles the new Win8 EFI BIOS.

But do watch this video to see if it helps you understand EFI BIOS better since it is what your Win8 PC has now:

 

[MrBusaa]

So to be able to dual boot on my Win 8 computer I need a Win 7 disk? I cannot use a win & hard drive from the older computer?

 

[gregrocker]

You can use the 7 HD if you make the necessary changes in BIOS to make it compatible with the new Win8 Secure Boot and EFI BIOS, and it can be made to boot.

But you still need a retail license for that Win7 version to activate it because as Brink stated your OEM license which came with the HP can only be used on that one machine.

 

[MrBusaa]

Thank you so much for your help. I now at least have an understanding of where I stand. (LOL that just sounds funny)

Should I buy another copy of Win7 or just another license or is it pretty much the same thing?

 

[TheJackster1]

If cryisi is on steam (I presume) check if it works on Linux then just download wubi and install ubuntu and dual boot
Steam is for Linux too btw

 

[MrBusaa]

Not sure about steam, I have it on Origin.