Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

Windows 8 forum: Cant boot from Windows 8 to Windows 7

by: yobacan December 18, 2012 8:48 AM PST

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

Cant boot from Windows 8 to Windows 7

by yobacan - 12/18/12 8:48 AM

Hello,

I want to install W7 on my newly acquired notebook with W8. So, for that I download W7 and burned it from ISO to a DVD and put in the notebook. Now, I am not an expert, but still didnt want to spend money on pc technicians, so I was careful about looking for information on how to reboot (I selected UEFI configuration on advanced options). After going into BIOS, I set the order to 1st boot device CD/DVD, and 2nd boot device hard-drive, and put Secure boot to disabled option. So, when I restart windows and it asks to press a button I do it and then it shows me a long message, which says:

"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer
2. Choose your language settings and then click "Next"
3. Click "Repair your computer"

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assitance.

File: \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc000000d
Info: An error ocurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data.


I hope you can help me solve this because I have no idea to do, and as I said, I am not an expert. I dont know if the problem is the CD or the Windows itself.

Thanks!


Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

You're right.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 12/18/12 8:51 AM

In Reply to: Cant boot from Windows 8 to Windows 7 by yobacan

Such a setup is not supported by Microsoft. Unless you find some hack on the web, you need to do this the supported (EXPENSIVE) way by installing 7 clean and maybe by setting to UEFI to legacy mode (BIOS) and then installing 7 clean. Then leave unpartitioned space to install your second license OEM Windows 8 Pro to .

The license of Windows 8 is forgotten and some folk get uppity about this.

You can install Windows 7 Pro or better in a virtual PC like "Virtual Box" if need be.
Bob


Was this reply helpful? (1)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

re

by yobacan - 12/18/12 2:24 PM

In Reply to: You're right. by R. Proffitt Moderator

Bob, thanks for your answer, but since I am not an expert, I couldnt understand much of it. What I could sense was that it does not look easy, and maybe I will have to look for a technician in the end.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Bring cash. (not kidding.)

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 12/18/12 2:32 PM

In Reply to: re by yobacan

To get this done the tech would need the full retail version of Windows 7 to install first. Then for Windows 8 you need the OEM Version of which version of 8 you want. The prior license is not usable for this endeavor.

The tech would then have to find drivers for each OS and would set up the dual boot.

-> Be sure to have them create a way to restore such a setup as reinstalling is not that easy. I suggest ACRONIS to backup the entire drive to some USB external since the number of DVDs is too unwieldy. You'll need the latest ACRONIS if you decide to leave this machine in it's UEFI glory.

One last issue. For now, today there is no free way to reset passwords on Windows installed under UEFI. This may change but as a safe guard please create spare admin capable accounts.
Bob


Was this reply helpful? (1)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

thanks

by yobacan - 12/19/12 5:39 AM

In Reply to: Bring cash. (not kidding.) by R. Proffitt Moderator

Thanks a ot for your opinion. I will check it and try to follow your advice with an expert help too.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Not clear.

by Kees_B Moderator - 12/19/12 5:46 AM

In Reply to: Cant boot from Windows 8 to Windows 7 by yobacan

Do you want to install Windows 7 REPLACING Windows 8? That's easy with a Windows 7 disk, although you might need to use DBAN or KILLDISK first to fully erase the hard disk. But I fail to see why you didn't buy a notebook with Windows 7 then.
Be sure you can get all drivers for Windows 7. That might be an issue if it came with Windows 8.

Or do you want to make a dual-boot configuration, so you can choose which one to use when you boot? That's complex, as Bob writes.



Kees


Was this reply helpful? (1)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Bob is right

by richardgc_1 - 12/19/12 9:59 AM

In Reply to: Cant boot from Windows 8 to Windows 7 by yobacan

If you are going to go this route it is a must to do it right not by some half baked idea or "hack". His way will give you the best results and the best dual booting system possible. I learned the hard way and although not cheap it really is the only way to go.


Was this reply helpful? (1)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • DISH staffDISH staff
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close