"Downgrading" from windows 8 to windows 7?

Question

Hi I bought a hp 2000 notebook that came with windows 8. I used it for about a year but it is slow and horrible. It had a 64 bit win8 on it, which is silly as the laptop BARELY meets the minumum requiresments for a 64bit OS. Aside from that, there was an impressive amount of errors and such like programs crashing, not responding, and a constant 20% cpu usage at idol. Now, I bought this to upgrade from an IBM thinkpad r60e, which has lower specs in every area, except ram, but even at that it had ddr2 vs the HP's ddr3.

Bottom line, I tried to install win7 ultimate 32bit on it, like the one that ran flawlessly of my IBM, and it installs fine but after the reboot to finish installation, it hangs at "windows is starting", and doesnt budge. So, I rebooted into safemode(both standard and with networking" and it hangs at loading DRIVERS/DISK.sys, and doesnt budge.

Someone implied it might be my brand new, out of the box disc. So, I did a "fake" install on an older 40gb HDD I had, in my custom built desktop. I went through everything except entering the product key code(its a 3pc pack, and I dont want to burn one up on a simple test), reguardless, I can install and run programs during the 30-day trial on my desktop.
Bottom line: Install Disc is great.

Another suggestion: "Your HDD is bad"
I ran Bios diagnostics, windows diagnostics, and chkdsk and everything came back fine. It was then implied "Sometimes it will pass some checks if it's bad.", so I installed Linux on the HDD and ran that for about a week with absolutely no issues, THEN I installed XP(which doesnt even have supported drivers for this model) and it ran just fine.

There are not a lot of bios options like "changing sata to 'compatible'" there is only system date and time, enable OS Boot Loader or legacy, boot order, and CPU vrt.


So, I narrowed down several things that's not the cause. Ram, HDD, install disc, bad drivers, dlls, ect

I guess my question is: Has anyone landed the downgrade from windows 8 to 7? "Just get windows 8 again" will not happen. If there is no solution, I'll just roll with Linux but I'd prefer windows 7 to work, if possible.

Answer 1

Strange I've had no issues what so ever with wimdows 8 and I've been using it since July. I use an older program on it and I even can plug in a off brand of a ps3 controller and play games from steam with it.



I do however hate the metro look of windows 8, so I use the desktop mode and once I installed a start button everything was fine and dandy. It was just like I was using windows 7 again.

Answer 2

DO NOT downgrade, UPDATE W8 to 8.1



You may UPDATE W8 to 8.1 as long as your current W8 OS is activated with a valid Product Key. Make sure your W8 is activated and all updates are up to date.





To view if your copy of W8 is activated, right click the START icon in the bottom LH corner of the screen & click on SYSTEM.





You must be signed in to Windows 8 with as an Administrator along with a MS Hotmail or Outlook Online Account and have your W8 account activated in order for you APPS or the STORE to work.





From the CHARMS Menu → Settings → Change PC Settings (bottom RH corner) → USERS → Your Account & setup





From the Desktop screen → Windows Key + W → enter USER in search



Click USERS on search results → "Your Account" & setup





- - - - - - - - - - - -





Microsoft will send you an activation code →





Thanks for helping us verify your Microsoft account ([e-mail])!





Here is your code: 8****66





If you didn't request this code, we recommend that you go to https://account.live.com and change your password.





Thanks,



The Microsoft account team





- - - - - - - - - - - -





If you are planning to leave the computer unattended while installing 8.1, then go to the Control Panel → Power & change your power settings to NEVER SLEEP (hibernate)



Once you are signed in to W8 and your accounts is activated, then go to START screen & click STORE. The 8.1 update will be displayed. You WILL NOT again be asked for your Product Key. The UPDATE process takes close to 2 hours. Don't be alarmed if you receive a black screen for up to 2 minutes. Perfectly normal, be patient and allow 8.1 to load.





Disregard the installation process as this video was produced for the Developer version of W8.1



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZEg0KttVWA



\\☺

Answer 3

you can go to key2buy

they are very helpful to such questions.