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Disk GPT issue installing Windows 7 instead of Windows 8

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babouin23 Posted messages 26 Status Member -  
patmoss Posted messages 2759 Status Member -
Hello, for those who are struggling like me, I managed to find the solution, so I will explain it here as best as I can to help others.

I just acquired an Asus G55WV, with Windows 8 on it.
I didn't like this OS at all, so I wanted to format and install Windows 7, but there was a problem when I tried to select a partition, it told me that it couldn’t because the disk was in GPT format, and it needed to be in MBR.

Here’s the solution, my installation:

Take Gparted, delete all your partitions, I really mean all (you will lose your recovery, etc... sorry but this is the only way to convert it to MBR)

Then boot into your Windows 8, press F9 non-stop at startup until you reach the language selection, etc...

Next, go to Advanced options.
Go to Command Prompt.

Type:
diskpart
then type list disk
Note the number of the disk you want to convert to MBR.
then type select disk "0" (the zero was the name of my disk, type the number without quotes)
Type clean to wipe the disk so that it is empty.
then type convert mbr
the disk will be in MBR.

Reboot with the Windows 7 CD, and proceed with the installation, you can create the partitions you want and finally install the OS on one of them.

I hope this helps many of you!!

Sincerely, Gabriel.

Configuration: Windows 7 / Firefox 16.0

27 answers

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  1. pasmoi
     
    You can easily install Windows 7 on a hard drive with a partition table in GPT format. In fact, it's even recommended...

    But for that, you need to start by booting from the Windows 7 installation CD in UEFI mode.
    The Windows 7 installation CD (at least the Pro SP1 64-bit version) supports both modes: booting by MBR in the old way, or the new UEFI boot with secure boot.

    If the installation CD is booted in MBR mode, then GPT partition tables will not be managed for the installation.
    If the installation CD is booted in UEFI mode, then the installation can proceed on a hard drive with a partition table in GPT format (which allows for more than 4 primary partitions, by the way).
    46
    1. Anonymous user
       
      It's exactly what I suggested earlier (in point no. 4). You just need to disable "secure boot" if the W7 DVD is not recognized.
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    2. Thunderman
       
      I entered the BIOS and enabled UEFI mode, but Windows still refused to install on a GPT disk because I couldn't find BootSecure in the advanced options of my BIOS.
      0
    3. Anonymous user
       
      Open a topic and explain your problem.
      0
    4. samrose21 > Thunderman
       
      I have the same issue, I have disabled secure boot but I can't boot from DVD.
      0
    5. Alec
       
      Thank you for your explanation.
      0
  2. gui78120 Posted messages 214 Status Member 128
     
    Good evening,
    you need to create a bootable key in UEFI. Tutorial in English here:
    https://www.nextofwindows.com/how-to-make-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-to-install-windows-8/

    ;)
    23
    1. overdoozedj Posted messages 145 Status Member 2
       
      I don't know why there's a: +6 here ???? because, a simple solution, but unfortunately destructive.... is actually to delete ALL partitions WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS! And there, no worries, it works!
      0
    2. Cloud
       
      Because you don't need to format with his method!
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    3. Ti-Guy
       
      It works very well, thank you, on SSD.
      0
    4. Joshlebosh
       
      @ overdoozedj
      Indeed, your solution works perfectly but has a limitation.
      Some manufacturers like Asus, to name just one because I have encountered it, sometimes lock the partitions and prevent them from being erased.
      Personally, I opted to remove the HDD and connect it via USB for a low-level format. The solution proposed here is much less labor-intensive, and thanks to him for sharing the idea which may be useful to some.
      0
    5. Anonymous user
       
      The limitations of what overdoozedj says are even more numerous than that:

      1. Erasing all partitions is not enough to completely convert the disk to MBR. There are still traces of GPT, which makes the partition table unstable (many problems to anticipate because of this... see dual-boot issues, in particular). We either do things completely or we don't do them at all.

      2. Attempting to convert the disk to MBR is risky if the BIOS is class 3 (purely UEFI). You will have removed your W8 without the possibility of reinstalling W7 in legacy mode. You'll need to backtrack and find a more or less dubious W8 ISO to sort it out.

      3. By switching to legacy (if possible), you lose fast boot, the 128 partitions, and your warranty.

      ==> The only acceptable solution (when the manufacturer allows it) is, of course, the one proposed by guy78120. Everything else proposed on the rest of the topic is outdated and no longer has any reason to exist. The +14 granted to "pasmoi" was probably valid a year ago, but not today.
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  3. saillemeun2 Posted messages 1 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
     
    Thank you for this information, I struggled for quite a while to solve this win7 problem on a gpt disk.
    Just for info, for those who, like me, could no longer access their windows 8, you just need to press shift+F10 to get the command prompt window, when you are on the win7 installation interface where you can format and/or partition your disks. Then, I entered the commands above to switch to mbr and it worked :)
    Fortunately, I found this trick online because I didn't even have the factory restore accessible anymore.
    ++
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    1. babouin23 Posted messages 26 Status Member
       
      glad it could help you :)
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    2. Cromnor
       
      A big thank you for this information that got me out of a certain embarrassment!!
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    3. baboui23
       
      The pleasure is all mine :)
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    4. BeuFFF
       
      A big thank you to you.
      0
    5. md6.diop Posted messages 1 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       
      Thank you, my man, I struggled with this while the solution was really easy, thanks to you, really, without you I would have been screwed :) (messing up the boss's new PC!!!) Thanks again...
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  4. Bibiou13
     
    I went through that and I didn't delete everything at all, I just made a separate partition to install Windows 7 on it...

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/impossible-to-uninstall-windows7partitions-gpt/d3e77e02-b366-4162-b42a-326b76e6a3ae?msgId=f075ae39-0972-415a-8ffd-cf53e27ffb19
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    1. brahim
       
      remove all partitions and start the installation
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  6. B&njamin Posted messages 10 Status Member
     
    Hello,
    I'm in trouble, I don't know if I should follow what you say because I have a lot of partitions too, but I tried to install Windows 7 on the OS partition by formatting it and it still didn't work!
    As a result, I can no longer boot Windows 8 and I still can't install Windows 7 on this formatted partition. I do have a USB recovery drive that Windows 8 suggested, but I can't get it to boot from it.

    I'm really feeling bad, I don't know what to do

    Thank you for helping me
    1
    1. jaguar
       
      Hi guys, thank you so much for your help with my MSI laptop. I disabled the "secure boot" and everything worked wonderfully.
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      1. overdoozedj Posted messages 145 Status Member 2 > jaguar
         
        Heuuu wait ??? I also disabled the "BOOT SECURE", and the PC still won’t cooperate? Am I stuck with a useless quad-core here??? HELP!!!!
        0
    2. abdou
       
      comment désactiver "boot secure"
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  7. bassmasta
     
    Hello, how do you access the command prompt if you have formatted all the partitions beforehand?
    1
    1. Anonymous user
       
      Good evening,
      You start your installation DVD at boot and select Repair.
      0
    2. bassmasta
       
      Great, thank you, it works perfectly.
      0
  8. Anonymous user
     
    Hello,

    This procedure comes from a good intention but seems very incomplete, even dangerous if the PC is pre-installed with W8.

    The complete procedure has been proposed several times, including here:

    https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-27606908-remplacer-windows8-par-windows-7#1

    What are the limitations of what baboui23 proposes?

    1. If "secure boot" is enabled (9 out of 10 PCs), gparted will not launch: it is impossible to switch to MBR. Similarly, it is impossible to launch W7 to perform the installation.

    2. If the BIOS is not switched to legacy mode, converting to MBR will generate an error message... "the disk requires a GPT installation" (or similar). There will be a conflict between the BIOS and the disk format.

    3. How many UEFI BIOS are directly accessible under W8? Almost none. If we format the hard drive before making the previous changes, we prepare to give the support service some vague explanations about its manipulations. Because we will probably not be able to boot anything anymore (several topics on CCM describe this issue).

    4. Why not simply install W7 in EFI mode, in dual boot with W8? We keep our warranty and can always go back.
    1
    1. Anonymous user
       
      You are forgetting that there is a small problem; some people (including myself) when they try to install Windows 7 in UEFI mode (with Secure & Fast Boot disabled, and Legacy mode also off) get stuck on "Starting Windows."
      Personally, I've tried everything and nothing works, so we have only one solution left: Convert the disk to MBR (even though I hate that).
      0
    2. Anonymous user
       
      Open a topic; and specify how you have "adapted" your W7 to UEFI.
      0
  9. eole56
     
    Hello and thank you Babouin23

    with these new motherboards it's really a mess!!!!

    too bad because the new bios are nicer
    1
    1. kemoden
       
      My problem is that I can't disable UEFI mode in the BIOS of an Acer Aspire E1-510. Boot UEFI is set to UEFI, and I can't change it to legacy.
      Installing Windows 8 requires the UEFI driver, which I don't know where to find.
      I've been struggling for a while with no success.
      Please help me!
      0
    2. Anonymous user
       
      This topic is obsolete... switching to legacy no longer makes any sense unless forced to. Open a new topic and explain your problem in detail.

      Current situation and what you want to do exactly. You mention installing W8 on an Acer that probably already has W8.
      0
    3. Rochdi
       
      c'est génial :D thank you :)
      N.B: you need to type, in the Ubuntu terminal, "sudo gparted" (without the quotes ").
      best regards.
      0
  10. B&njamin Posted messages 10 Status Member
     
    Thank you for being the only one to respond to me despite my numerous posts,
    The problem is that I can neither go back to Windows nor install on these damn GPT partitions. I also don't know how to convert the partitions to MBR. Do you think I can run Gparted at startup?
    0
    1. Babouin23
       
      Do you still have your Windows 8 CD? And can you tell us the brand and model of your PC please?
      0
    2. B&njamin Posted messages 10 Status Member
       
      Hello Gabriel,


      No, I don't have a Windows 8 CD; it wasn't provided with it. I only made a recovery drive on a USB stick.

      I tried to install Windows 7 on the OS partition by formatting it, and it still didn't work!
      As a result, I can no longer boot Windows 8, and I still can't install Windows 7 on this formatted partition.

      I'm going to the store to see if they can do something. Otherwise, I will have to go back to the repair shop, which will probably charge me a fortune again (I keep thinking I might finally get some feedback from them regarding my loyalty).

      In my opinion, I have a little idea of the steps to take at startup: advanced options in the only menu offered at startup > command line > Disk part > list volume (one by one) > list disk > select disk > clean > convert mbr

      One major additional issue is that it’s a hybrid hard drive.

      I'm really in trouble; it's my work tool...

      I’m heading to the store this morning and will wait for your responses.

      Thank you.
      0
    4. krazykat Posted messages 11705 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   2 146
       
      Hello Antipolis,
      The solution you propose uses EaseUS Partition Master, which works on Windows.

      It's better to use the solution provided by babouin23, it seems to me: erase the existing partitions with a GParted Live CD: https://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/11611-gparted-gnome-partition-editor
      0
    5. babouin23 Posted messages 26 Status Member
       
      But it seems to me that Easus is bootable, right?
      0
  11. flavzz Posted messages 2 Status Member
     
    I can't find the command prompt and I have an error message "boot device not found"
    0
  12. r00t
     
    Or to make it even simpler, create a Gparted USB boot disk. http://gparted.sourceforge.net/liveusb.php This link explains how to obtain it. Boot from this USB stick. Normally, you should see a menu with 4 choices, select the default one: Don't touch key map if I remember correctly, then choose 08 (for French), and type 0 to get a graphical interface.
    From there you will have the Gparted software with which you will need to format your entire hard drive and in the top menu, you need to choose Partition Table -> msdos table (by default).
    And that's it, no need to type command lines or have a Windows 8, 7, or 10 CD.
    Good luck.
    0
    1. Anonymous user
       
      No need to ruin a CD that will only be used once, when everything is possible with the installation DVD.
      And what will you reinstall with? Clever one.
      0
    2. r00t
       
      Hello,
      Could you please read my post carefully before posting?
      I clearly stated that a USB key should be used, which he can reformat once he has solved his issue. That way, we waste neither CDs nor DVDs, my friend.
      Furthermore, neither Windows 7 nor 8 offers the ability to convert the partition table (Linux and Mac OS X do, but not Windows).
      There's nothing great or clever in what I said; I'm simply suggesting an intuitive and (extremely) easy alternative to the problem for people who don't want to use command lines in the Windows console (believe me, "select disk0" can be frustrating for some users).
      So, if I'm wrong, correct me and share your solution with us, and let's all benefit, me first.
      Have a good day, you clever one.
      0
    3. Anonymous user
       
      Scroll the wheel of your mouse to go back up the page and just in case you can read, the solution is there.
      A Windows installation DVD can convert a hard drive to MBR or the other way around to GPT.
      And for Windows 10, you'll have to try another day.
      0
      1. hisaeh Posted messages 2745 Status Member 572 > Anonymous user
         
        Ah, for Windows 10, he really had a knack for it... ;-)
        0
  13. aymntech Posted messages 20 Status Member 26
     
    Thank you very much, you saved my life.
    0
  14. julien231 Posted messages 46 Status Member
     
    Here is what I wanted to say first: a big thank you to babouin23 and saillemeun2

    Indeed, I was in a situation where I could no longer access win8 after a wrong manipulation to install win7

    Thanks to saillemeun2, we can convert the disk to MBR without breaking our heads thanks to his technique.

    But all of this would have been impossible without babouin23 because after that, you have to do what he says.

    Thanks again =)

    Don't forget the SHIFT F10, it saves ^^
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  15. djsky23
     
    Hello everyone... as for me, I've done everything you told me, but I still have a problem... I have the impression that it doesn't want to take my Windows 7 because of the tattoo in the BIOS... does anyone know anything about this? Thank you for helping me!!!!
    0
  16. Janio
     
    During your Windows 7 setup, go to custom instead of upgrade, then delete the partitions and you can install it.
    0
  17. inc0nnu
     
    Thank you because I was also stuck installing a Windows 7 instead of a Windows 8.
    0
  19. debalman
     
    Hello,

    there's an easier way without deleting anything, just a change in the BIOS regarding the boot of the DVD drive: instead of UEFI CD/DVD, select CD/DVD as the first boot option. Be careful, the Windows DVD must already be in the drive; otherwise, you won't have the choice between UEFI and normal mode. Once the change is made, save the settings and reboot the machine. Normally, the installation should work perfectly.
    There you go, simply.
    Have a good evening.
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    1. glodybiss Posted messages 509 Status Member 9
       
      Best answer thank youuuuu
      0
  20. nadellen Posted messages 11941 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   7 352
     
    Hello
    I'll keep this handy, thank you for this tutorial.
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  21. chabane66
     
    Thank you very much babouin23, you really saved me, thanks again, thank you.
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