Old widows 7 drive on new Windows 8 system

[EzRiIgK]

Hey All,


Went out and bought my mom a new computer (an HP something, her brand!) that came pre-installed with Windows 8. Mom hates it and want her old system back. So figured all I would have to do is swap out hd's and I'd be set. NO GO. won't boot to the windows 7 drive at all. Anyone know what i have to do to get it to work. (most detailed would be best. or a link!)

Thanks, Erik

 

[TheBigTroll]

of course it wouldnt. you need to repartition the hard drive so that it would work with the new system.

 

[EzRiIgK]

Thanks BigTroll,


Can you give me an idea about how i go about doing this!


Erik

 

[TheBigTroll]

this might help
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2015107/downgrading-from-windows-8-to-7-what-you-need-to-know.html

 

[EzRiIgK]

Thanks again,


what a PAIN. i have upgraded my pc's over the years, but have always just swapped the old hd to the new machine until the 'kinks' were worked out of the new OS. Guess those days have ended. Gonna have to see if I can return the new computer and find one with Windows 7. Mom reallly hates it!


ERik

 

[Outlander_04]

just download and install a program to add a start button to windows 8

There is a learning curve , but fundamentally its a better OS

 

[TheBigTroll]

you could do that


http://www.pcworld.com/article/2013144/use-ninite-to-give-windows-8-a-classic-start-menu.html

 

[EzRiIgK]

Thanks for the suggestion!

I guess i could give that a try and see if it appeases her. However, this means a buncha extra hours reinstalling everything that is already on the Windows 7 drive. UGH!!!


ERik

 

[Outlander_04]

Thanks for the suggestion!

I guess i could give that a try and see if it appeases her. However, this means a buncha extra hours reinstalling everything that is already on the Windows 7 drive. UGH!!!


ERik

you would have to do that anyway , and probably buy a new copy of 7 as well

 

[ShalomJuitsie]

Yea, once you learn to bypass the apps, windows 8 is much better and it's only a click or two- I have one windows 7 left and it takes a sec to remember the old way now :*

 

[kaels]

of course it wouldnt. you need to repartition the hard drive so that it would work with the new system.

Say what?

If the Win7 drive boots the old computer, it will boot the new computer. As far as it's concerned, you just upgraded a bunch of hardware. The problem isn't the drive - it's the BIOS:

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/01/windows-8s-locked-bootloaders-much-ado-about-nothing-or-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it/

I haven't personally tried this, but you might try one of these guides:

(video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElzvaL96cw0
(text) http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20121126#qa
(text/shorter) http://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/16sscv/how_bypass_secure_boot_in_windows_8/

They're Linux-oriented, but they're relevant - just where they say "select your CD/DVD drive" you want to substitute "select your Windows 7 drive".