Windows back up and multi-OS installation

[dineshgs]

Hi,

I have a Toshiba laptop with windows 8 pre-installed in it. I would like to take a system image including OS, drivers and software's please assist. After that need to install windows 7 keeping windows 8 as it is. In case of failure, this image can be restored right?

If I want to remove windows 7 only how will I do it to keep windows 8 only.

 

[JustATest]

Here's ya go; 1, 2, 3:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8956-system-image-create-windows-8-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2344-dual-boot-installation-windows-8-windows-7-vista.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/9759-dual-boot-windows-7-windows-8-delete-windows-7-a.html

I hope I was able to help you today.

 

[dineshgs]

Thank you. Will try and get back to you.

 

[JustATest]

Glad I could help you today.

 

[dineshgs]

When I tried boot from DVD with win 7 ultimate it gives below message and not allowing me to install.
checking media [failed]
Please assist installation of win7 in Toshiba win8 pre installed system. (one partition available c).

 

[theog]

I have a Toshiba laptop with windows 8 pre-installed in it.

1) Downgrade to Windows 7.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html
Warning you must have the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.


2) If Using a USB Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted to FAT32 as in
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.

 

[dineshgs]

Thank you for the replay on time, will update you ASAP.

 

[dineshgs]

Dear theog I tried as you suggested. When booting from USB/DVD till setup is copying files is okay after that it look like struck. Please assist for smooth installation of windows 7 ultimate X64 or Windows 7 Pro X64.

 

[theog]

I have a Toshiba laptop with windows 8 pre-installed in it.

I missed that you had Toshiba, you need to reinstall Windows 8 in Legacy mode, to dual boot Windows 7.

From Toshiba Support site.

How to enable CSM for a Toshiba.(Satellite Pro C870, Satellite Pro L830, Satellite Pro C850, Satellite Pro R950, Portege R930, Portege Z930)

To downgrade from a installed Windows 8 OS to a Windows 7 OS, using a Windows 7 recovery media, follow these steps:

1) Boot unit and press F2 to get into BIOS

2) Go to "Security" tab and disable "Safe Boot"

3) Go to "Advanced" tab, select "System Configuration" then change boot mode from "UEFI" to "CSM"

4) Press F10 to save changes and exit.

5) Boot unit from recovery media (Press F12 on bootup to boot from USB or DVD media)

Necessary changes in the UEFI Firmware (BIOS) for a successful downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7

 

[dineshgs]

Thank you for the replay, now I have reached installation till where do you want to install windows?
I choose installing a fresh copy of windows (custom installation)
Here it shows windows cannot be installed to Disk 0 Partition 5. (Reason: The selected disk is of the GPT partition style).
I have shrinked the HDD space to create 25 GB new drive.

 

[theog]

Here it shows windows cannot be installed to Disk 0 Partition 5. (Reason: The selected disk is of the GPT partition style).

That is only warning for PC's without UEFI/BIOS firmware.

 

[dineshgs]

Hi, could you plz help on this. How to proceed installation.?

 

[theog]

Click NEXT

 

[dineshgs]

I reached till the step,
NEXT is disabled in screenshot itself, so how will I proceed?

 

[JasonH76]

I reached till the step,
NEXT is disabled in screenshot itself, so how will I proceed?

I had this issue.

The whole physical drive needs to formatted via GPT. If the drive has been formatted as a MBR which Windows 7 and before use, this is not compatible with Windows 8 utilising UEFI.

 

[JasonH76]

.. unless you go into BIOS, boot options and change to Legacy thinking about it.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html

 

[theog]

Thank you for the replay, now I have reached installation till where do you want to install windows?
I choose installing a fresh copy of windows (custom installation)
Here it shows windows cannot be installed to Disk 0 Partition 5. (Reason: The selected disk is of the GPT partition style).
I have shrinked the HDD space to create 25 GB new drive.

I reached till the step,
NEXT is disabled in screenshot itself, so how will I proceed?

Click on Partition 5, than click on NEXT .

 

[dineshgs]

Click on Partition 5, than click on NEXT .

Dear Theog,

The next is disabed, I' struck in here.

 

[theog]

You are booting the Windows 7 x64 DVD in Legacy mode, to install Windows in Legacy, delete ALL PARTITIONS.

Make sure you make a System Image of Windows 8 first.

 

[dineshgs]

Dear Theog,
Thank you for your valuable suggestions and guidance. Now I had taken a windows system image (CP>Windows 7 file Recovery>Create a system image)
and took a system repair disk (CP>Windows 7 file Recovery>Create a system repair disc>.

Now I will do as follows correct me if I'm wrong
1) "Security" tab and disable "Safe Boot"
2) change "boot mode" from "UEFI" to "CSM"
3) Delete each volume for win 7 installation

As the Toshiba laptop with windows 8 pre-installed, please suggest a way to retrieve the genuine product key.
After this if I need windows 8 back I have to use the repair disk then the windows image right?