Installing Windows 8 and 7 to new computer

I just received a new Dell Inspiron 15R-5520 64 bit laptop. I also ordered and received from Dell the Windows 8 OS DVD along with a Drivers DVD. I also own a valid Windows 7 OS with product key. I use Acronis True Image 2013 to backup and restore images of the OS.

I wish to partition my HDD into C: and D: with C: containing OS and Programs and D: containing Data. I have done this for years with all prior OS's up through 7. Now I wish to partition the HDD to accept either Windows 7 or 8. I will create Acronis backups of both so I can switch back and forth easily. I don't wish to setup as dual boot since I will eventually decide on one or the other. The Data partition should remain unchanged.

I've now partitioned the HDD with type MBR partitions and installed Windows 7. It's been backed up. I re-formatted C: and attempted to install Windows 8 to the C: drive. It failed without any clear error message. I'm thinking that it refused to install to a type MBR partition? If so, I need to re-partition the HDD to type GPT and start over. I have the following questions:

I'd be grateful for any help
Pete

Read back on your other threads.



http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/14464-how-re-install-windows-8-oem-version.html
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/14603-how-revert-back-windows-7-a.html

Follow this tutorial:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html

I finally succeeded in installing Window 8 to my MBR partitioned HDD. I did it by typing <shift-F10> at the 'Install Now' screen. I entered the following:

diskpart
list disk
select 0
new gpt
create name....

Click to expand...

The last or perhaps the last two commands were not accepted. I then continued with the install and it worked. The only thing that changed from the previous attempt were the above commands. Anyway, the problem is solved, but I don't understand why it worked. I did confirm that the disks are still MBR partitioned. Any idea what made the difference?
Pete

theog said:

Follow this tutorial:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html

Click to expand...

Step 6 B.
How to Clean the HD Drive, using Step one in this tutorial:
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Forums