Q. I installed the Windows 8 consumer build 8250 (not a dual boot). I need to know how to revert it back to windows 7 without losing my files. Is there any way to do this?
A. So another newbie here who tried out the beta version of Windows without taking the necessary precautions like creating a system image of the hard drive before installing Windows 8 over it, or installing Windows 8 on a separate partition.
If you didn't wipe out the recovery partition that will restore your computer to factory-fresh state then you are in luck:
http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f108/laptop-recovery-instructions-162525.html
But before you do that, you need to back up your files to a different storage like external hard drive, flash drive, DVD or on a separate partition in the hard drive other than drive C as all files in drive C will be erased. If you want to create a separate partition to put your data then use this:
http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm
If the recovery partition is no longer available, you can buy a set of recovery discs from the computer manufacturer. It usually costs $25-40.
Another option is to get hold of a Windows 7 installer disc and do a clean install. You will be like starting from scratch. I hope the Windows 7 product key written on the OEM sticker at the bottom of the laptop is still readable. If it's not then you will have to buy a new license.
If the product key is still readable, send me an email and I'll tell you where you can get a clean copy of a genuine Windows 7 installer, but you have to tell me what version (32 or 64-bit) and what edition you used to have.
After installing a fresh copy of Windows 7, you will need to reinstall all your applications. I also hope you still have their installers and license keys to the applications you paid for.
Again to remind you, back up your files whatever option you take as they will be erased if you leave them on your drive C.
If you need further help, send me an email through my profile.
If you didn't wipe out the recovery partition that will restore your computer to factory-fresh state then you are in luck:
http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f108/laptop-recovery-instructions-162525.html
But before you do that, you need to back up your files to a different storage like external hard drive, flash drive, DVD or on a separate partition in the hard drive other than drive C as all files in drive C will be erased. If you want to create a separate partition to put your data then use this:
http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm
If the recovery partition is no longer available, you can buy a set of recovery discs from the computer manufacturer. It usually costs $25-40.
Another option is to get hold of a Windows 7 installer disc and do a clean install. You will be like starting from scratch. I hope the Windows 7 product key written on the OEM sticker at the bottom of the laptop is still readable. If it's not then you will have to buy a new license.
If the product key is still readable, send me an email and I'll tell you where you can get a clean copy of a genuine Windows 7 installer, but you have to tell me what version (32 or 64-bit) and what edition you used to have.
After installing a fresh copy of Windows 7, you will need to reinstall all your applications. I also hope you still have their installers and license keys to the applications you paid for.
Again to remind you, back up your files whatever option you take as they will be erased if you leave them on your drive C.
If you need further help, send me an email through my profile.
How could I format my toshiba u500 laptop using windows 7?
Q. I want to format my toshiba u500 laptop using the same OS I have now (Windows 7) but I have a difficulty of finding a driver. Help please.
A. You can format a partition or hard drive on your Toshiba laptop using the Windows XP installation CD or recovery disk included with the machine. Formatting another drive or partition deletes all of the data on that part of your Toshiba laptop.
1. Back up all files, folders, important documents and media files you want to preserve from the hard drive or partition that you are formatting.
2. Restart your Toshiba laptop and insert the Windows XP installation disk or recovery CD -- whichever came with your laptop.
3. Hit a key when you see "Hit any key to boot from CD."
4. Press enter to begin the Windows installer and the F8 key to accept the licensing agreement. Press the ESC key if the installation prompts you to repair your current Windows XP installation.
5. Select the partition you want to format. Hit "D" to delete the data on the current partition and "L" to confirm the deletion. Hit "C" to create a new partition.
6. Hit enter if you want the partition to take up all available space, otherwise type in the partition size and hit enter. Select the new partition and hit enter. Choose "Format the partition by using the NTFS file system (Quick)." The partition is now completely formatted.
1. Back up all files, folders, important documents and media files you want to preserve from the hard drive or partition that you are formatting.
2. Restart your Toshiba laptop and insert the Windows XP installation disk or recovery CD -- whichever came with your laptop.
3. Hit a key when you see "Hit any key to boot from CD."
4. Press enter to begin the Windows installer and the F8 key to accept the licensing agreement. Press the ESC key if the installation prompts you to repair your current Windows XP installation.
5. Select the partition you want to format. Hit "D" to delete the data on the current partition and "L" to confirm the deletion. Hit "C" to create a new partition.
6. Hit enter if you want the partition to take up all available space, otherwise type in the partition size and hit enter. Select the new partition and hit enter. Choose "Format the partition by using the NTFS file system (Quick)." The partition is now completely formatted.
What do I need to do to replace Vista with XP on my laptop?
Q. My laptop came preinstalled with Windows Vista and I really don't like it. I've used it for awhile and decided I greatly prefer Windows XP. I have a Windows XP disc, so what do I need to replace Vista?
The XP disc I have says it's a "Re installation" CD, this will still work, right?
The XP disc I have says it's a "Re installation" CD, this will still work, right?
A. Vista is a funny OS. One of their many annoyances is, it will not permit a complete, efficient, or reliable "Downgrade" without a complete re-format of the hard drive. Windows Setup won't let you install an older version on top of a newer one. You will either have to do a "Clean Install" involving a reformat, or you will have to trick the system into thinking there is NO Windows OS on the computer.
It is not as simple as the previous reply says. Here is what you will have to do if you just use the XP CD:
1) Booting the computer with the XP CD
2) When it says Press any key to boot from CD, press the space bar or enter key.
3) When XP Setup starts, press R on the first page to open the Recovery Console. If you are asked to choose a Windows installation, type a number (usually 1) and press Enter. In some cases, you may be asked for the Administrator password. If you never set one, just hit enter.
4) At the Recovery Console prompt, type the following commands to prep your hard disk for XP:
fixboot (hit enter)
fixmbr (hit enter)
cd \ (hit enter)
ren windows winvista (hit enter)
exit (hit enter)
When your PC restarts, boot to the XP CD again and proceed with setup.
When setup is finished, you'll have to move everything manually. This includes your documents, the contents of your desktop, and any other personal data that you'll need from Vista's now-defunct C:\Users folder into XP's C:\Documents and Settings folder. You'll also need to reinstall all your applications and device drivers, and eventually delete the abandoned C:\Winvista folder.
NOW FOR THE EASIER WAY!
The easiest way I have ever found to Downgrade is to do a "Clean Install". Remember that if you do it this way, any and all recovery partitions on the drive will be gone.
If you have the XP CD and a legitimate COA (25 digit) Key, you can use that.
1) Insert the XP CD and when it gets to "Press any key to boot from CD..." hit the space bar or enter.
2) The blue Windows Setup screen will show up and load files.
3) When it gets to "Welcome to Setup" screen, choose "To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER"
4) On the license screen, press the F8 key to accept the agreement.
5) When you get a screen that shows "Existing Partitions" (your hard drive and C:\ etc.), choose the last item - To delete the partition, press D.
If you have more than one partition, highlight each one and press D
To confirm deleting the partitions, it will ask you to press L and/or Enter
6) On the next screen, you will create a new partition by entering the size of the drive (the default is always the whole drive) and hit Enter.
7) The next screen will now show a C: Drive with Partition1 (NEW/RAW)... choose "To set up Windows on the selected item, press ENTER".
8) The next screen gives Formatting options - Format the new partition with the full NTFS (NOT the quick format option)
At this point you shouldn't have any problems - BUT - If you get errors that tell setup to stop any time during the loading/copying of files or the setup, reboot the pc and repeat steps 1 - 7
If all has went well to this point, continue the setup normally and put in your information and COA Key when asked.
It is not as simple as the previous reply says. Here is what you will have to do if you just use the XP CD:
1) Booting the computer with the XP CD
2) When it says Press any key to boot from CD, press the space bar or enter key.
3) When XP Setup starts, press R on the first page to open the Recovery Console. If you are asked to choose a Windows installation, type a number (usually 1) and press Enter. In some cases, you may be asked for the Administrator password. If you never set one, just hit enter.
4) At the Recovery Console prompt, type the following commands to prep your hard disk for XP:
fixboot (hit enter)
fixmbr (hit enter)
cd \ (hit enter)
ren windows winvista (hit enter)
exit (hit enter)
When your PC restarts, boot to the XP CD again and proceed with setup.
When setup is finished, you'll have to move everything manually. This includes your documents, the contents of your desktop, and any other personal data that you'll need from Vista's now-defunct C:\Users folder into XP's C:\Documents and Settings folder. You'll also need to reinstall all your applications and device drivers, and eventually delete the abandoned C:\Winvista folder.
NOW FOR THE EASIER WAY!
The easiest way I have ever found to Downgrade is to do a "Clean Install". Remember that if you do it this way, any and all recovery partitions on the drive will be gone.
If you have the XP CD and a legitimate COA (25 digit) Key, you can use that.
1) Insert the XP CD and when it gets to "Press any key to boot from CD..." hit the space bar or enter.
2) The blue Windows Setup screen will show up and load files.
3) When it gets to "Welcome to Setup" screen, choose "To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER"
4) On the license screen, press the F8 key to accept the agreement.
5) When you get a screen that shows "Existing Partitions" (your hard drive and C:\ etc.), choose the last item - To delete the partition, press D.
If you have more than one partition, highlight each one and press D
To confirm deleting the partitions, it will ask you to press L and/or Enter
6) On the next screen, you will create a new partition by entering the size of the drive (the default is always the whole drive) and hit Enter.
7) The next screen will now show a C: Drive with Partition1 (NEW/RAW)... choose "To set up Windows on the selected item, press ENTER".
8) The next screen gives Formatting options - Format the new partition with the full NTFS (NOT the quick format option)
At this point you shouldn't have any problems - BUT - If you get errors that tell setup to stop any time during the loading/copying of files or the setup, reboot the pc and repeat steps 1 - 7
If all has went well to this point, continue the setup normally and put in your information and COA Key when asked.
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