Clean Windows 7 on Asus G75VX (Win8 pre-installed)

[bjurn]

Hello!

I had been lurking around here trying to figure out either a good way to move my Windows 8 (core-oem) installation to my new SSD or install Windows 7. No post that i found had an easy route to follow so i thought i write down a quick "guide".

Backstory: I was originally trying to re-install my Windows 8 to the new ssd.. Did not work, even Asus support said the Windows 8 "embedded" into the bios could not recognize the SSD as a suitable drive since it only worked on original hardware. I then asked, what if the harddrive went haywire and did not work anymore ?
They told me to get support from Microsoft as they could not do anything about this matter.

So back to scrapping Windows 8 and doing a fresh-o-so-clean Windows 7 installation on the SSD.
Before you start throwing rocks at me about drivers and such, i got everything to work. Even WIFI (thanks to *will edit for link*).

Nearly every driver on the support disc can be installed on Windows 7, expect for chipset and Wifi (chipset i got off newest G75VM Windows 7 driver download page).

Use an external drive, flash drive or just dvds to transfer every picture, game file or whatevz. to.

Installation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMlsfk10PUA).

Enter bios, rapidly spam your F2 key when the computer turns on.

- Switch to "Boot" and set “Launch CSM” to Enabled.
- Switch to "Security" and set "Secure Boot Control" to Disabled.
- Press F10 to save and exit.

(quoted Rewben)

Now, only have the SSD harddrive inside the computer where the HDD was before.
Put everything back together.
Load the dvd drive with a "legally" owned copy of Windows7 Ultimate.

And install.

Now, after this is done. Windows 7 will not find any drivers. So pop in your Asus support dvd.
Install the ethernet card.

If you dont have a ethernet option, figure something out.

Launch Windows Update, and update everything!

Now the system will find all the hardware.

Install all the drivers.

Chipset, audio blablabla.

And finally wifi drivers HERE
Thanks @rledge21 for providing wifi driver.

Over and out.

[rewben]

pka4916 wrote:
All I want is get rid of windows 8, and install Window 7.
I followed the steps, about Enable CMS and Disable secure boot.
but it won't let me install it.. I cannot make a partition. due to it's GPT.
so I guess it's without UEFI(?)

it seemed you could boot and you're in the installation screen. now try this:

1. after you are in the installation screen, press shift+f10 to get the command prompt. type diskpart.
diskpart> list disk
diskpart> select disk num (replace num with the right disk number, e.g. 0)
diskpart> clean
diskpart> convert mbr
diskpart> exit

2. exit the command prompt and proceed the installation.

[pka4916]

Hi,

diskpart> list disk
diskpart> select disk num (replace num with the right disk number, e.g. 0)
diskpart> clean
diskpart> convert mbr
diskpart> exit


I had tried this already, but it was telling me that it wasn't allowed.
Clean did wipe everything out. bit the Convert mbr wouldn't let me do it.

[rewben]

uh? if you booted from the boot disk, you still have that message?! that's weird.

what if you do this?
diskpart> list disk
diskpart> select disk num (replace num with the right disk number, e.g. 0)
diskpart> clean all
diskpart> convert mbr
diskpart> exit

[pka4916]

Yes, I booted from my USB Windows 7 stick. (same as the disc)
Did delete all partitions,
tried to make new ones, was getting an error..
So I went into the repair option, so I could go to the command prompt. and followed the diskpart items. and same problem,

[rewben]

now what if you do this?

diskpart> list disk
diskpart> select disk num (replace num with the right disk number, e.g. 0)
diskpart> attributes disk clear readonly
diskpart> clean all
diskpart> convert mbr
diskpart> exit

can that command in red be executed?

by the way, can you please put here the exact error message? i'm sorry but this is the first time i encounter such a weird case.

[pka4916]

ok, I will try that..
btw.
what's the difference between
1. doing clean install with UEFI boot; or
2. doing clean install with BIOS boot?
?

[rewben]

the differences are:
UEFI mode
1. your target hard disk/ssd must be GPT;
2. your installation media must be able to install OS in UEFI mode

BIOS/legacy mode
1. your target hard disk/ssd must be MBR;
2. your installation media must be able to install OS in BIOS mode

i have written some notes on how you create the usb boot media for each mode here.

since you have problem converting the drive, and it remained as GPT disk, you can try convert your usb media to support UEFI instead (well, unless you wanna use the convenience of BIOS/legacy mode for things like linux installation)

[pka4916]

What would be preferred for Windows 7 ?
UEFI or MBR ?

iS uefi making your windows 8 boot up faster... so it will be in windows 7 as well..
or is that just a Windows 8 feature

[rewben]

pka4916 wrote:
What would be preferred for Windows 7 ?
UEFI or MBR ?

iS uefi making your windows 8 boot up faster... so it will be in windows 7 as well..
or is that just a Windows 8 feature

imo it depends on what you wanna do. by default i would suggest uefi because the bios should be optimized for this mode, with w8. however, if you really need to have legacy options, by all means.

w8 is 'faster' on boot (if you enabled its fast boot feature); the rest is almost the same.

[pka4916]

ok, then I'll use the UEFI mode..
I've read your other post about booting with that..
with UEFI, stays the HD in GPT mode then? or do I still need to MBR, since I couldn't install it the first time