Dual Boot W7 and W8

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Modify_inc

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Sep 6, 2011
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I am trying to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 8 on a HP ENVY dv4 Notebook. It came preinstalled with Windows 8.

I have disabled the Fast Boot in the Power Options, and shrunk my C partition to make room for my Windows 7 partition.

In the BIOS or UEFI, I disabled the Secure Boot, but that does not appear to be enough. When I reboot the laptop, it still does not boot the Windows 7 disc.

There is another option above Secure Boot called Legacy Support. I enabled it and I now I can boot into the Windows 7 Setup. The new problem is that Windows 7 cannot install on a GPT partition.

Since I believe most all of Windows 8 pre-installations use GPT instead of MBR, how can anyone successfully install Window 7 on the same drive if Windows 7 does not support GPT? I can't convert to MBR or I lose Windows 8.

I’m really confused at this point. Is this normal, or is it the fault of HP and this laptop?

The guide I’m using only mentions to disable the Secure Boot, but as I mentioned, I can’t get the Windows 7 disc to boot with just the secure boot disabled.

What am I missing here?

Thanks
Mike
 
Solution
das_stig
Disable UEFI, boot using legacy DVD, install 7 then Install 8.

Best way and you also get rid of the bloatware from HP, just get the drivers of the C: first for 8.
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ekseli

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Jun 25, 2013
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I don't have an answer for you, but why would you even want to dual-boot to Windows 7?

With the Start8 app, Windows 8 is essentially a lighter and more secure Windows 7. I see W7 just hogging up your disk space.
 
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M

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It has something to do with my disc. I assume because it has both 32 and 64 bit to choose from.

I just tried another disc that only has the 64 bit version of Windows 7 and it booted right into the setup process (as before I had to hit F9 to enter the boot manager and select the dvd drive). It says starting Windows, but it seems to have frozen.

Great, what could be the problem now?
 
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M

Modify_inc

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I just tried Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit, as opposed to the previous which was Windows 7 Home 64 Bit that I attempted earlier.

It begins the initial Windows 7 setup and displays Starting Windows, but once again freezes at this point. It freezes before it even displays the first setup screen that actually begins the installation.

Basically right after the message "press any key to boot from the CD or DVD" it says Starting Windows, and the Windows logo flag is moving for a few seconds then it stops(The Home version had moving orbs that froze after a few seconds).

It's been like that for 20 minutes now, guess back to the drawing board.

Could this be an issue with the graphics card and Windows 7? If so, how could I test?

Thanks again
 
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