Windows 7 - Windows 8 dual boot problem - 'W8 preinstalled

[Tejo]

I am using Samsung np550 laptop which came with Windows 8 preinstalled. I want to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 8. So this is what I did:

• In bios - disabled Fast boot
• Then I disabled 'Secure boot'
• Selected boot mode as 'CSM'

Now I inserted Windows 7 DVD and it booted with it. The problem is when I'm trying to select a partition, it says that "Windows 7 cannot be installed in this partition. The selected partition is of GPT style".

Please help me solve this problem, so that I can use both W8 and W7.

 

[Saltgrass]

You need to boot the DVD in UEFI mode. It should be listed in the Boot Device Menu as such along with a non-UEFI version...

 

[theog]

Welcome to EightForums

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.

Make sure you read the NOTE at Step three.
Check your UEFI/BIOS firmware in Step three, If you use CSM Windows 8 will no boot.

WARNING both OS need to be installed in UEFI mode to dual boot.

 

[Tejo]

You need to boot the DVD in UEFI mode. It should be listed in the Boot Device Menu as such along with a non-UEFI version...

If I'm selecting this, pc is directly booting to W8. Even in the bios, it says like - to boot into W7 choose CSM.

 

[Tejo]

Welcome to EightForums

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.

Make sure you read the NOTE at Step three.
Check your UEFI/BIOS firmware in Step three, If you use CSM Windows 8 will no boot.

WARNING both OS need to be installed in UEFI mode to dual boot.

Thanks for the comment. I have seen this tutorial while googling abt my prob. Actually, my pc has some recovery partitions for W8. In the tutorial, it has been told to delete all partitions. This means I have to wipe the recovery partitions too, which if done, then I will lose all the W8 recovery data. Is it possible to keep them intact and then install W7?

 

[theog]

On a Samsung you can dual boot 8&7 without deleting all partitions.

 

[Tejo]

On a Samsung you can dual boot 8&7 without deleting all partitions.

View attachment 27377

View attachment 27378

So it says to delete recovery partitions. This is my point actually - is there any way to install W7 without deleting them.? Please take a look on the below screenshot which shows partitions in my pc..

 

[theog]

What UEFI/BIOS firmware boot mode will you be using in CSM?

 

[Tejo]

What UEFI/BIOS firmware boot mode will you be using in CSM?

Sorry I'm not clear about this question...But all I did is this: Fast boot - disabled | Secure boot - disabled | boot mode - CSM

in boot mode there are 3 options like - UEFI, CSM, 'UEFI & CSM'...

Everything is ok. Windows 7 is also booting, but the prob is it shows that partition is in GPT style and I cannot install it..may be, I'll provide you a pic of that error in few mins..

 

[Tejo]

Here it is...sorry for the blurred pic..

 

[theog]

If you use Boot mode> CSM, you need to delete all partitions for Windows 7 to install.

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

UEFI = Windows 8 only
Legacy = All OS.
UEFI & Legacy = All OS.

 

[Tejo]

If you use Boot mode> CSM, you need to delete all partitions for Windows 7 to install.

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

UEFI = Windows 8 only
Legacy = All OS.
UEFI & Legacy = All OS.

View attachment 27383

So that means recovery partitions will also be gone, right?
And if i delete all partitions, how I am gonna get W8?

 

[theog]

If you use Boot mode> CSM, you need to delete all partitions for Windows 7 to install.

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

UEFI = Windows 8 only
Legacy = All OS.
UEFI & Legacy = All OS.

View attachment 27383

So that means recovery partitions will also be gone, right?
And if i delete all partitions, how I am gonna get W8?

Use

UEFI & Legacy = All OS.

& install Windows 7 in UEFI mode to the 100gb partition you made.

 

[Tejo]

Use

UEFI & Legacy = All OS.

& install Windows 7 in UEFI mode to the 100gb partition you made.

May be this is where I'm not following you when you said "install Windows 7 in UEFI mode"...Anyway this is what I did:

Mode: CSM and UEFI, restarted the pc to boot from W7 disc and I ended up in that error...and here are my blurred screenshots..appreciate your patience though.!

 

[theog]

Boot the Windows 7 x64 DVD in UEFI mode, & install to the 100gb partition you made.

 

[Tejo]

Boot the Windows 7 x64 DVD in UEFI mode, & install to the 100gb partition you made.

okay...here is the interesting part...this is what I get when i try to boot..

 

[theog]

1) Check boot override.

2) Where do you buy your Windows 7 x64 DVD from?

 

[Tejo]

1) Check boot override.

2) Where do you buy your Windows 7 x64 DVD from?

Boot override also shows only the 2 things - Windows boot manager and P2. I bought this dvd very long back from online itself.

 

[theog]

Is the DVD Windows 7 x64 bit|?

 

[Tejo]

Is the DVD Windows 7 x64 bit|?

yes it is x64 bit...I know that 32bit is not supported...