Installing Windows 7 (Solved)

[Woodworker]

Because of my ongoing problem with my PC disconnecting from my network and,yes, I did set the power settings to maximum and reset the router numerous times, I have become so frustrated as to prompt me into performing a reset which is uninstalling Windows 8.1.

 

I am now well past the point of no return and would welcome your opinions as to whether installing Windows 7 from a disc is really as straightforward as I have been led to think – not necessarily believe!

 

Many thanks, David

[Starbuck]

Hi David

 

If you are performing a reformat/reinstall it should be fine.

This link should help:

http://www.crn.com/slide-shows/applications-os/240155734/how-to-downgrade-from-windows-8-to-windows-7.htm

[Ray1000]

Hi David

 

It's not much help I know but I've installed it from a disc at some point onto a laptop ... which had only ever had Windows 7 on it ... and it was straightforward.

 

Ray

[Woodworker]

Thanks gents - Following many hours of refreshing my lappy, the result wasn't as I'd expected as Windows 8 is still there but all my file, folders and pograms have gone.

 

However, I've bitten the bullet and ordered a 64 bit version of Windows 7 and will let you know how I get on. I see I'll only be able to install it on one PC which is a ******!

 

Thanks, David

[DSTM]

Hi David. I think you will find it's there.

Install Easybcd boot manager and see if you can find it.

Scroll to the bottom and select the free version.

If your not sure how to use EasyBCD just ask.

 

http://neosmart.net/EasyBCD/

[Woodworker]

My impetuosity got the better of me and I acted without having read Starbuck's link!

 

The disc has arrived and it's a reinstallation version and it says in the link that to downgrade from Windows 8 to windows 7 you have to have the pro and premium versions.

 

My laptop is an Acer.

 

This is a link to what I've purchased: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161340893017?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

This is already doing my head in, so am I doing right in setting up Windows 8 again and persevering?

Edited July 29, 2014 by Woodworker

[Woodworker]

Too late to edit my previous post but I could cut my losses and order one of these:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-TravelMate-15-6-inch-Integrated-Graphics/product-reviews/B00G7IK7J8/ref=dpx_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1

[DSTM]

Do yourself a favour and avoid Acer like the plague.

That Disc looks like it is a OEM copy.

I would purchase Windows7 straight from Microsoft.

[DSTM]

Read MS no longer sell Windows7

 

You could try downloading Windows7 SP1 professional x64 bit ISO from here.

Then burn an install Disc.

 

http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/446844-digital-river-links-for-windows-7-sp1-media

[Plastic Nev]

Further to DSTM's good advice regarding Acer, which I tend to agree with, looking back at that disk, not only is it only a reinstallation disk, it has the Dell logo, meaning it is only for Dell machines, so not likely to work on your Acer anyway.

If you decide eventually on a replacement computer, there are quite few good makes that are better than Acer.

 

Edit to add, go back to Starbucks link and read page 2, there is important information regarding the product key, so you may finish up having to pay Microsoft for that key if all conditions of the downgrade are not met if using that ISO file download mentioned in DSTM's second posting.

If you know already they can't be met, it may be better to be sure of buying a proper Microsoft issued Windows 7 disk from a reputable dealer, not via E Bay, as that seller was a little short of telling the full truth about the disk you bought.

 

Nev.

[Woodworker]

Do yourself a favour and avoid Acer like the plague.

That Disc looks like it is a OEM copy.

I would purchase Windows7 straight from Microsoft.

Sorry I've no idea what OEM means but I'm not in a mood to throw good money after bad by purchasing another disc! If you think I've been taken for a chump, please let me know whether I might have a grievance against the vendor. I can't return the item otherwise as I've broken the seal.

 

Everybody to their own but I was given the heads-up by a couple of the experts here about Acer, bought a laptop and a netbook and consider them very good value for money :)

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Dave, I wouldn't say you have been taken for a chump, however you may admit to not being experienced. Do have a look at my post above as I have added an edit.

I will also say you may have a right to return as the vendor did not specify the disk was a reinstallation and for a Dell computer only.

 

Nev.

[DSTM]

I am thinking the same, Nev

I know Amazon sell legit Windows7 install discs. Pretty expensive though.

[Woodworker]

Thanks again Guys - I'm having a pause to get my brain back in gear at present but have dropped in again to ask you to ignore my post about the Acer. I may well cut my losses and, if I do buy another laptop, it will definitely be an Acer.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, while you think about this, firstly you may find some difficulty in obtaining any new laptop running Windows 7, you may finish up with only Windows 8.1 again, though no harm in looking round. The better option would be a refurbished one that is running Windows 7.

 

Next, though I know you like Acer, just type "Acer Aspire Problems" into Google. You will find thousands of different reports of trouble, some with fixes, others still to be resolved. It is up to you after that of course.

 

Nev.

[Woodworker]

 

Next, though I know you like Acer, just type "Acer Aspire Problems" into Google. You will find thousands of different reports of trouble, some with fixes, others still to be resolved. It is up to you after that of course.

 

Nev.

 

I appreciate your input Nev but after posting a link to an Acer advertised on Amazon, I realised I'd foolishly hi-jacked my own thread and asked for my post to be ignored, as I'd really prefer contributors to chat about Windows rather than get into a debate about laptops. If you peruse user reviews on Amazon and read what some of your fellow experts have written in another thread, you'll see that Acer fairs very well :)

 

As it now stands, I've begun again with Windows 8 and, so far, I haven't experienced the connection problem which prompted me to start the ball rolling in the first place. I have again downloaded Classic Shell.

 

All the best, David :)

[Plastic Nev]

OK David, thanks for letting us know that it seems resolved now anyway, all the best of luck and just see how it goes from now on.

 

All I can add is that both DSTM and myself have very good reason to dislike Acer and so have a lot of other folks who actually have to work on and repair them, however if you are happy, that is in the end all that matters.

 

Nev.

[Woodworker]

OK David, thanks for letting us know that it seems resolved now anyway, all the best of luck and just see how it goes from now on.

 

All I can add is that both DSTM and myself have very good reason to dislike Acer and so have a lot of other folks who actually have to work on and repair them, however if you are happy, that is in the end all that matters.

 

Nev.

 

I've had to restart twice to send this - If you think it's a fault with my Acer, could you suggest a more reliable make please?

[DSTM]

Hi David. I would try and find out what's wrong with your Acer before even considering another Laptop.

 

It may only be something simple.

 

As far as Laptop brands go, Laptop magazine test laptops all the time.

Here is their 2014 test results and I am not in disagreement with their findings.

Personally I like ASUS but then again that's only my opinion.

 

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s210/DSTM_photos/test-1.png

[Woodworker]

Thanks DSTM but if you knew me you'd realise there's very little to do with computers that's simple to me!

 

I thought I might have partially solved the issue by connecting my laptop to my router with an Ethernet lead but this only worked for a while before disconnecting. I'm sure the router is OK because my netbook works fine.

 

I've made sure the power setting is still set to maximum but, if you've any suggestions, I'd welcome them but please take on board that I'm not a techie.

 

Regards, David

[Woodworker]

If I can't fix my Acer, I'll be very tempted to order one of these:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/15-6-inch-Touchscreen-Processor-Integrated-Graphics/dp/B00HR88W9Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1406763019&sr=8-3&keywords=asus+touch+screen+laptop

 

Looks as though it's fast - Any thoughts welcome :)

[RandyL]

I'm not sure about some things but it might be just OK for everyday computing. What concerns me is the processor.

 

The processor is 2 GHz. This is pretty weak by todays standards. Is that a single core or dual core?

 

If you plan on doing any basic video editing such as with Windows Live Movie Maker which used to come pre-installed with Windows then even that basic program will not even install. WLMM needs at a minimum a 2.4 GHz.

 

Even on a laptop I would suggest at least a 3 GHz dual core processor as a bare bones minimum these days.

 

It is a touch screen which probably explains the high price. If it was not a touch screen it would be very over priced with those specs in my opinion.

[Plastic Nev]

It may be the right make, being Asus and not Acer, however as Randy said, it is too slow a processor and looking up the spec it is only a two core one.

As just something to look at, this Toshiba would be slightly better for performance and is a lot cheaper too, unless of course you want the touch screen which this doesn't have. Believe me, I tried a touch screen and for intensive work, forget it. Your arms start to ache after a few minutes and if doing graphics work, touch screens have very little accuracy.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-C55-A-1N1-15-6-inch-i5-4200M/dp/B00H7911TQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_computers_28?ie=UTF8&refRID=11GVG0PGPWWXVMHTB1KP

 

Nev.

[Woodworker]

Thanks guys but you vastly over-estimate my abilities and my intended usage– Haha.

 

I'm just a housebound old codger lying in bed who wants a reliable laptop with which to e-mail and surf the internet as well as typing documents. I do listen to YouTube music videos using a high quality pair of headphones but video editing is something entirely foreign to me!

 

Inever thought I'd want a touch screen but, since using my touch screen netbook, I've become used to the luxury of being able to expand text – my sight isn't what it was - and quickly scroll pages. I'll install Classic Shell, so won't be using tiles.

 

My netbook is only one GHZ and does the biz for me apart from the screen being small, although I don't want a lappy bigger than fifteen ins.

 

To summarise, I need a machine that will connect to my network, be reliable, have a decent sound card and have a touch screen.

 

Any further suggestions as to how I might fix my current connection problem – please see my post above – would be most appreciated.

 

Thanks, David :)

Edited July 31, 2014 by Woodworker

[Plastic Nev]

OK David, if you do want the touch screen, and there is no need for high demand programs, the Asus you linked to will be fine for you.

 

If connection problems are there with a new laptop, it will at least mean the fault is definitely with your ISP, especially if they provided router and other equipment, as it could well be the router, even if your other smaller netbook seems to have no problems.

 

A shame really that there is now little chance of any new laptop that comes with Windows 7 on it, they seem to have all been sold.

 

Nev.