Windows 8.1 back to Windows 7 HELP!!!

KAN4485 · Nov 6, 2014

I installed Windows 8.1 on my laptop in April and since then, hardly anything works on my laptop. My DVD/BluRay players don't work, LightScribe doesn't work, and my remote doesn't work. My drivers for everything are GONE and I can't fix it because my laptop was built for Windows 7 and the manufacturer doesn't have the driver updates for Windows 8.1. And because my computer is 4 years old, HP wants me to pay them $50 for technical support that they cannot guarantee.

If I restore my laptop back to factory condition, will Windows 7 be back on there? I don't have a disk.

Can anyone help me?

Paul NZ · Nov 6, 2014

Depends. If you did a clean install of Win8 you cant factory reset it back to Win7. You'll have to buy it reinstall it if you want it

delaro · Nov 6, 2014

The only way to be sure is to try to boot into recovery and see what is there. On HP's it is F11 right before the splash screen. If this doesn't work for you then post your model number and let me see If I can find the appropriate recovery disc. It is also possible that HP may still sell you the Disc with the initial install, they use to charge $10- $20 for it.

KAN4485 · Nov 6, 2014

Paul NZ :

I bought Windows 8.1 from Microsoft.com and installed it. I don't know what a clean install is. I paid too much for Windows 8, and I am NOT paying Microsoft anymore to get my original OS back. They should have warnings in large red print saying some PC's won't work correctly after upgrading. My external hard drive won't connect now because that driver is gone too. I can't afford to buy a new laptop.

delaro · Nov 6, 2014

What is your model #, and did you try to boot into recovery to see what version is in there? If you still have your Win 7 recovery then you will just need to wipe the main partition and install from recovery.

KAN4485 · Nov 6, 2014

delaro :

I sent you a private message with the #'s. I'm having to back up everything on discs because my external hard drive won't connect because that driver is gone too.

Paul NZ · Nov 6, 2014

Thats why most people check on whatever site, to see if whatever has windows 8 drivers before they decide to install it

Its not up the manufacturer / or MS to check / tell you. Its up to you (to look on the site), since youre the one updating it

KAN4485 · Nov 6, 2014

Paul NZ :

You don't have to be an @$$ about it. I figured since my laptop isn't THAT old, that it was safe to update it. And NOTHING told me it would screw my computer up at ALL...and I didn't know where to check.

delaro · Nov 6, 2014

You should be able to get generic drivers to work for the external, if not check the website for the external and most likely they have win 8 drivers.

This is from HP

What if I don't see my operating system from HP's software page?
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.

KAN4485 · Nov 6, 2014

delaro :

I tried that. There are none. None of my USB ports work, the only thing my disc drive does is burn files and music. It won't even play CD's....

KAN4485 · Nov 6, 2014

delaro :

You should be able to get generic drivers to work for the external, if not check the website for the external and most likely they have win 8 drivers.

This is from HP

What if I don't see my operating system from HP's software page?
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.

Yeah, I read all that last week when I called and talked to HP and they wanted me to pay them $50 for technical support that may not work.

delaro · Nov 6, 2014

Okay did you try the reboot into recovery and see what version is in there?

Provided you still have the Win7 recovery partition still installed you can use this.

https://driverscollection.com/_4476076555580ff1523ad97f4ba/Download-Driver-for-HP-Pavilion-dv7-3165dx-USB-Recovery-Flash-Disk-Utility-v.2.00-A-for-Windows-7-64-bit-free

All your Drivers for Win 7 are also here.
http://www.filefobia.com/hp-pavilion-dv7-3165dx-drivers-for-windows-7/

KAN4485 · Nov 6, 2014

delaro :

How do I reboot in recovery and will I lose anything if I do that?

delaro · Nov 6, 2014

KAN4485 :

Hit F11 just before the splash screen, you just want to see which version you have. If your worried about losing data you can still get Win 8 to work, you will just need to look for the drivers 1 at a time.

How do you want to continue? Fix Win 8 or try and recover Win 7 I can explain how to do either. It is possible you would lose data on recovery since your trying to downgrade the OS which MS doesn't like.

For reference this company sells Recover disks for most all HP's and other laptops, I only did so when I was in a rush and had to many orders to complete.
http://www.restoredisks.com/manufactures/Hewlettpackard.aspx?gclid=COO_39a55cECFRWUaQodyYwAiw

KAN4485 · Nov 6, 2014

delaro :

KAN4485 :

Hit F11 just before the splash screen, you just want to see which version you have. If your worried about losing data you can still get Win 8 to work, you will just need to look for the drivers 1 at a time.

How do you want to continue? Fix Win 8 or try and recover Win 7 I can explain how to do either. It is possible you would lose data on recovery since your trying to downgrade the OS which MS doesn't like.

For reference this company sells Recover disks for most all HP's and other laptops, I only did so when I was in a rush and had to many orders to complete.
http://www.restoredisks.com/manufactures/Hewlettpackard.aspx?gclid=COO_39a55cECFRWUaQodyYwAiw

OK, right now I'm backing up my important stuff to DVD+R's and that's gonna take forever because I have entirely too many pictures and can't only fit 4-8 albums on one disc, then I have music and documents also. Is there a way to reach you on FB or email or something?

delaro · Nov 6, 2014

Get a DropBox, 2gb of free online picture and video backup you can access from any device. BTW if your burning off that drive then the Driver is working. If it is not playing a CD did you check if Autoplay is on? Most of the time that is turned off.

KAN4485 · Nov 6, 2014

delaro :

I have about 250-300GBs of stuff I need to save. 2GB won't even begin to cut it. And there are no programs at all that will play DVDs and the driver is gone too...

delaro · Nov 6, 2014

I PMed my email and Facebook, i've got about 45 minutes before I head to bed. Lets see if we can get your USB bridge working, that should give you access to your external.

delaro · Nov 6, 2014

Access your device manager

http://clientportal.softwaresecure.com/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/288/0/windows-8-how-do-i-access-the-device-manager

This will point you to it, once there open Device manager and look for any ? or yellow triangles. Your looking for Triangles on DVD/CD-ROM, Other Devices and Universal Serial Bus controller.

Windows 8.1 back to Windows 7 HELP!!!

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