Can't Refresh Windows 8, or Reinstall 7

thegdds

New Member
Messages
9
So I posted about this in the past. I have had an issue for the last three months where I haven't been able to downgrade to Windows 7, or refresh or reset Windows 8. Everytime I try to do it, I get an error message saying that the hard drive is locked, or there are files missing. I tried to troubleshoot to no avail. In the case of Windows 7, it doesn't recognize my hard drive, so I can't install it. My situation is quite similar to the one thread http://www.eightforums.com/installa...windows-8-hard-drive-locked-cant-refresh.html here, but I can boot into Windows 8. Any suggestions?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 772o
    CPU
    i7-3610QM
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 650M
    Browser
    Google Chrome
Try using the windows 7 repair option from the win 7 dvd

As I have discovered Win 8 has NO interest in rebuilding your bootloader, whereas win 7 does..


EDIT>>> was this drive left with a boot partition of 1TB or larger?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 & Windows 7 Dual Boot
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP G60
    CPU
    AMD Turion RM-70 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ
    Memory
    3 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 8200M G
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Mouse
    MS Intellipoint 5 button (love it!)
    Browser
    Chrome and Chromium
    Antivirus
    Avast Free & Malwarebytes
Is this Dell Inspiron 772o a Pre-installed Windows 8?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I think the boot partition was larger than 1TB, and theog, I upgraded to Windows 8 from Windows 7
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 772o
    CPU
    i7-3610QM
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 650M
    Browser
    Google Chrome
If you still have a Windows 7 dvd with the key

you should first create another partition, install windows 7 to it, then you can transfer your data/pix/files over to your Win 7

At this point you can either delete or leave in place your Win 8 OS, which you can boot from either OS during boot up.

I understand that there may be an issue with the new bios (UEFI) which may not allow this.

If its a problem try to disable it in the bios..

Before you delete or format your win 8 OS, you need to see where your boot drive is.

Hopefully win 7 will put it in the hidden partition safe from erasure or formatting..

Disk management will show nyou which is your boot drive.. Please label your partitions as Win 8 and Win 7 so you know which is which later..

Let us know if your willing to try this or not, we can find other ways..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 & Windows 7 Dual Boot
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP G60
    CPU
    AMD Turion RM-70 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ
    Memory
    3 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 8200M G
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Mouse
    MS Intellipoint 5 button (love it!)
    Browser
    Chrome and Chromium
    Antivirus
    Avast Free & Malwarebytes
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