Linux Mint to Windows 7 --- Please Help!

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
C

coolioschmoolio

Honorable
May 20, 2013
16
0
10,510
Hello my co-worker asked me to put windows 7 on his laptop that currently has linux mint on it. The laptop does not have a cd-drive so I burned the windows 7 iso to a USB so that I could hopefully boot from USB. I have done this before in the past but only going from Windows XP to Windows 7 so it was a bit different. All I had to do for that was press F12 when it booted up and chose "boot from USB" and voila it essentially did everything it self. However, in this situation I do not see that bootup screen when I start up the computer so I am a bit stuck. He said that he does not care about having the Linux on there anymore, (doesn't want dual boot), so would it be easier to somehow wipe the computer clean of any operating system and then download the windows? Thanks in advance for your time, I'd appreciate any response! Sorry if I wasn't specific enough.
:)
 
Solution
Darkbreeze
Yes, if it's a laptop there probably aren't any other drives aside from the primary drive anyhow. As long as you're sure none of those partitions contain data that hasn't already been backed up or might be needed, I'd delete them all. Then install to the unallocated space. I forgot this was a laptop which is why I said to disconnect secondary drives. Don't worry about that part. Just click the advanced button and delete all the partitions then install. Keep in mind that one of those might be the factory recovery partition, but if you have installation media, which you do since you're trying to install from USB, then it's not necessary to remain there.
Sort by date Sort by votes
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
7,631
176,790
If you're doing a clean install of windows 7 only, follow these instructions:

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


If you want both installations on there, you need to install windows 7 FIRST, then install Linux. The Windows boot loader is finicky and likes to be installed prior to other OS's. This page is targeted at Ubuntu, but other versions follow the same rules when installing with Windows in a dual boot format.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

 
Upvote 1 Downvote
C

coolioschmoolio

Honorable
May 20, 2013
16
0
10,510


Thanks for the response however the thing that I am struggling with is how to access the BIOS settings so that I can change it to boot from USB. When I start up the comp it just goes straight to this screen that asks you if you want to boot up into linux or recovery mode. Any ideas?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
7,631
176,790
What is the laptop model? What OS is installed should have NO effect on being able to access the bios. BIOS entry occurs prior to any boot loader routine coming into play. You're probably, or I should say MIGHT be, not pressing whatever key is necessary to access the bios early enough. Find out what function or other key (Often Delete, ESC, F1 or F2, depending on the manufacturer) is necessary for bios access and begin repeatedly pressing it just immediately prior to turning the unit on and keep pressing it repeatedly until the BIOS screen is accessed. The only other option would be to remove the hard drive and see if it boots into the bios or gives you a different set of options when no boot device is present.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
C

coolioschmoolio

Honorable
May 20, 2013
16
0
10,510


thanks after reading this I googled lenovo u410 bios settings access key and I found that it is fn+f2 so I got it to boot from USB however now I am experiencing a problem when I try to choose the hard drive to download windows on. All of the partitions available say they cannot copy windows 7 because they are not NTFS format. Does this mean that I need to boot my comp in linux, change the format of the hard drive to NTFS and then try to copy windows to it? Also, should I be downloading it to the same hard drive that the OS is currently on or does it not matter which hard drive I choose? Thanks again for all your help I really do appreciate it!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
7,631
176,790
No, it means now you need to follow the steps for clean install as outlined in my first post, and delete all the existing partitions, then install to the unallocated space after all existing partitions are gone. Then, if you wish to reinstall Linux, you can do so after windows has been installed, or just leave Linux off and use windows. Linux does not use NTFS and so the existing partition tables are incompatible since the current partition probably takes up the entire drive, or there is unallocated space that hasn't been used to create a new NTFS partition to be installed to. Using the clean method as outlined in my first link above is the best way to go though.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
C

coolioschmoolio

Honorable
May 20, 2013
16
0
10,510


Thanks again. I am trying to follow that guide you posted but I am stuck on step 8. Here is a screenshot of where I am stuck:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/f0xgikb5hxhko7p/photo.JPG?dl=0

You are saying that I need to delete all of the other partitions except the one that I want to install windows on correct? In this situation what would you do?

Sorry I have so many questions to ask, I didnt think that it would be this difficult using linux. I had no problem in the past doing it on windows so I figured it would be just as easy.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
7,631
176,790
Ok, so start over (If necessary) and disconnect ALL drives except the drive you will be installing to. Then, when you get back to that screen, click the "drive options (Advanced)" and it will open up the options that allow you to delete all those partitions.

If there are partitions that are being used for data storage or backup on that drive, don't delete those, then when it's all cleaned up, if there are no remaining partitions, just unallocated space, install to that. If there ARE partitions with data still on them that can't be removed or backed up elsewhere, use all of the remaining unallocated space to create a basic partition and install to that. Windows will do any necessary formatting and create any necessary partitions. (In the even your are installing to a raw drive after deleting all the partitions.)

The best option would be to make sure there is no data left on the drive that needs to remain and just delete them all then install to the unallocated space without creating any new partitions.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
C

coolioschmoolio

Honorable
May 20, 2013
16
0
10,510


Aw man I don't think I feel comfortable taking apart my friend's laptop. I'm just doing this as a favor because I thought it would easy lol but if I have to remove hardware I don't want to mess with it.

Is it possible to not touch the hardware and just click on the advanced drive options and delete the partitions that way? I already backed up all of his important files that he wants to keep on an external hard drive so I can essentially wipe out every hard drive that is on there. I never backed up any drivers however, is that a problem? When you say to make sure there is no data left on the drive that needs to remain, how am I supposed to delete all of the data --- via the advance drive options?

If I have to remove hardware I am just going to return the laptop and tell him sorry. Thanks sooooo much for your guidance hopefully I can still do it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
7,631
176,790
Yes, if it's a laptop there probably aren't any other drives aside from the primary drive anyhow. As long as you're sure none of those partitions contain data that hasn't already been backed up or might be needed, I'd delete them all. Then install to the unallocated space. I forgot this was a laptop which is why I said to disconnect secondary drives. Don't worry about that part. Just click the advanced button and delete all the partitions then install. Keep in mind that one of those might be the factory recovery partition, but if you have installation media, which you do since you're trying to install from USB, then it's not necessary to remain there.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Solution
C

coolioschmoolio

Honorable
May 20, 2013
16
0
10,510


Thank you so much it looks like we finally have a solution, however I still have one last question. How do I know which one is the primary drive? Like do I just delete them all and then an unallocated space will appear or am I supposed to keep one of the drives and then delete all the others?

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
7,631
176,790
Just delete every partition until you're only left with one listing that looks like this and then click install. No need to click on the unpartitioned space, create any partitions or format anything. Windows will do all of that automatically:


Windows7-install-1-Unallocated-Space.png


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

coolioschmoolio

Honorable
May 20, 2013
16
0
10,510

Alright so I managed to get windows 7 onto the laptop however I cannot connect to the internet and it does not recognize the other hard drives. Any ideas what could have gone wrong?

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
7,631
176,790
Drivers will need to be installed for the network Ethernet and wireless adapters, which should be available on the manfacturers product page for the laptop model and I was under the impression that there were no other drives. What other hard drives are we talking about. I remember asking if there were other drives/data and you indicated everything had been backed up. If you're referring to external drives, that's USB driver issues as well. You'll need to get the network drivers downloaded and installed on there and then update the rest of the listed drivers on it's product page.

If you're trying to use USB 3.0 ports for the drive, you'll need to use it's USB 2.0 ports until the USB 3.0 drivers are installed.

IF I knew the laptop model, which I asked about several times earlier in the thread, I could probably find the necessary drivers for you.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

coolioschmoolio

Honorable
May 20, 2013
16
0
10,510


Sorry to frustrate you. I made the noob mistake and thought that multiple partitions meant that there were multiple drives but now I see there is only one hard drive and one solid state drive. The hard drive that has the OS on it is noticed but not the ssd. I backed up all the data on the ssd by copying it to a external but I was under the impression that windows would recognize it when it got booted. The laptop model is a Lenovo U410 ultrabook. Is this the correct site for drivers : http://www.lenovo-driver.com/lenovo-drivers/lenovo-ideapad-u410-drivers-download

Once I download the network driver on a separate comp and transfer it to a USB I should be able to download it onto the laptop correct? After that point I can connect to the internet and download all the other necessary drivers?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
7,631
176,790
windows should recognize it. When you ran the windows installer, did you end up with a single disk 0 unallocated space, or a disk 0 and disk 1, both with unallocated space? If there was an SSD cache drive, that might have been a different ballgame than an SSD OS drive with a HDD storage drive. My frustration is only in not being able to help you correctly if I don't have all the data. I have to make assumptions then and when we make assumptions that are not based on ALL the correct information, sometimes those assumptions end up being wrong.

No, that is not the correct site. This should be the correct site, but let's make sure it's the RIGHT U410 as there are often sub-models that have hardware that is different from other sub models. On the bottom of the unit or in the battery compartment under the battery, there should be a model number listed on a sticker or printed on the case itself. It MIGHT just be U410, but usually there is more to it like U410-something, for example. Otherwise, if that's the full model number, then these should be the drivers:

http://support.lenovo.com/sg/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-u-series-laptops/ideapad-u410
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
7,631
176,790
That unit has USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. Be sure to use the USB 2.0 ports to transfer your driver files to the desktop for installation. Be sure to select Windows 7 from the filter option just above the downloads on that page. I'd probably go in this order:

Chipset driver: http://support.lenovo.com/sg/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-u-series-laptops/ideapad-u410/downloads/DS028787


Graphics driver: http://support.lenovo.com/sg/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-u-series-laptops/ideapad-u410/downloads/DS028791


Intel manage interface drivers: http://support.lenovo.com/sg/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-u-series-laptops/ideapad-u410/downloads/DS028767

Intel rapid start technology: http://support.lenovo.com/sg/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-u-series-laptops/ideapad-u410/downloads/DS028789


Not sure which wireless device you have in there, so try both of these if using wireless:

Intel WiMax driver: http://support.lenovo.com/sg/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-u-series-laptops/ideapad-u410/downloads/DS028801

WiFi link driver: http://support.lenovo.com/sg/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-u-series-laptops/ideapad-u410/downloads/DS028799


And the wired Ethernet driver

Realtek Ethernet driver: http://support.lenovo.com/sg/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-u-series-laptops/ideapad-u410/downloads/DS028774


After installing them all and rebooting, check device manager in control panel. If there are still remarked devices then install the remainder of drivers on that page. Don't forget to select Windows 7 from the filter menu just above where the driver downloads begin. Also, at the bottom of the list of drivers, if you click "Show all" there are more optional drivers listed but only use those if you need them based on what you see in device manager.

The chipset driver should contain the USB drivers.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
C

coolioschmoolio

Honorable
May 20, 2013
16
0
10,510


The laptop is a U410 4276 Ultrabook. It has the HDD and the SSD and yes there were two unallocated spaces when I downloaded windows. I chose to download it onto the hard drive since it was larger. I let my coworker know that it was a bit more complicated then I thought and I think he is just gonna bring it to best buy and pay some $$. I just hope that I didn't mess anything up on the comp by doing whatever I did.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

coolioschmoolio

Honorable
May 20, 2013
16
0
10,510


I really appreciate the effort and research you put into trying to help me out with this! I downloaded these drivers but after giving you the new model number, U410 4376, I am thinking they may be the wrong ones?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
7,631
176,790
It depends on what size the SSD was. It it was like less than 10GB then it was probably intended to be a cache drive for the OS. If it was 120 or more GB then it was intended for the OS to be installed on and the HDD was just for additional storage space.

Is this the U410 touch or regular screen model?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
7,631
176,790
Everything starts with nothing on it, so I doubt it. Do you recall what size the SSD was and which drive was disk 0 and disk 1? If not, I'd suggest running the installer again until you get to the spot where you dealt with the partitions, and see what it says the sizes of the drives are and which is 1 and which is 0. I'm thinking you'll probably need to reinstall to the SSD, unless it's very small and is for cache only to speed up system operation. Either way, it shouldn't be an issue. It can be configured any way you want but having the OS on the SSD is the standard procedure if it's large enough.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
C

coolioschmoolio

Honorable
May 20, 2013
16
0
10,510

The SSD was only 20gb I believe and you're right i don't remember which one was 0 or 1.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom