Installing Windows 7 on Lenovo laptop
didierjb
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Hello,
I have a question to which I sadly think I already know the answer, but maybe someone has a solution that I haven't found. Indeed, I bought a Lenovo G50 laptop with Windows 8 pre-installed, and I would like to install Windows 7 on a partition I created. However, the Windows 7 installation quickly fails with an error message indicating an "unexpected" problem.
I have already researched extensively on the Internet and read that the Lenovo BIOS is "limited" and incompatible with the installation of a different operating system than the one that came with the purchased laptop.
In fact, the Lenovo G50 seems completely "locked down," even when accessing the existing BIOS.
Does anyone know if installing another operating system is possible on this machine with a procedure that I haven't found?
Thank you in advance for your answers.
Didier.
Configuration: Windows / Chrome 38.0.2125.122
I have a question to which I sadly think I already know the answer, but maybe someone has a solution that I haven't found. Indeed, I bought a Lenovo G50 laptop with Windows 8 pre-installed, and I would like to install Windows 7 on a partition I created. However, the Windows 7 installation quickly fails with an error message indicating an "unexpected" problem.
I have already researched extensively on the Internet and read that the Lenovo BIOS is "limited" and incompatible with the installation of a different operating system than the one that came with the purchased laptop.
In fact, the Lenovo G50 seems completely "locked down," even when accessing the existing BIOS.
Does anyone know if installing another operating system is possible on this machine with a procedure that I haven't found?
Thank you in advance for your answers.
Didier.
Configuration: Windows / Chrome 38.0.2125.122
15 réponses
Thank you for the answers, but the problem is that it is first impossible to install Windows 7 on a new partition, even if it already exists, since the Lenovo's BIOS, which is very restrictive, prevents this installation.
I restarted a Windows 7 installation, and then I had the option to install on the partition of my choice.
However, the installation did not proceed. Indeed, I received an error message stating that it could not be done on a GPT disk; it requires an MBR disk.
Looking more closely, the disk installed on the Lenovo is indeed GPT, and the disk management function might allow changing it to MBR, but this concerns the entire disk, not just the partition (plus the “change to MBR” link is grayed out and inactive when opening the window). Furthermore, even if that link were active, what would happen if the entire disk, which also contains Windows 8, became MBR?
I will not attempt the experiment, so for now, I still do not have Windows 7 installed.
However, the installation did not proceed. Indeed, I received an error message stating that it could not be done on a GPT disk; it requires an MBR disk.
Looking more closely, the disk installed on the Lenovo is indeed GPT, and the disk management function might allow changing it to MBR, but this concerns the entire disk, not just the partition (plus the “change to MBR” link is grayed out and inactive when opening the window). Furthermore, even if that link were active, what would happen if the entire disk, which also contains Windows 8, became MBR?
I will not attempt the experiment, so for now, I still do not have Windows 7 installed.
Well, still with the goal of advancing the topic in case it interests some people, here are some clarifications I just discovered, if I understood correctly.
Indeed, not having all the knowledge, my understanding was limited to the BIOS and the MBR.
So I did some research on the Internet and found this which shed new light on the subject:
http://lecrabeinfo.net/disque-dur-les-tables-de-partitions-mbr-et-gpt.html
So on my Lenovo, the BIOS uses GPT by default and not MBR.
As mentioned in the link I copied here, you can change a GPT disk to MBR, but it must be completely empty, and therefore I would have to delete the Windows 8 installed.
I’m going in circles: if I leave the BIOS with the default settings, it seems impossible to boot from the CD, and if I change the BIOS settings from UEFI mode to LEGACY mode, which allows booting from the CD, the installation of Windows 7 cannot proceed because the disk is GPT.
So apparently, I cannot perform the installation.
Indeed, not having all the knowledge, my understanding was limited to the BIOS and the MBR.
So I did some research on the Internet and found this which shed new light on the subject:
http://lecrabeinfo.net/disque-dur-les-tables-de-partitions-mbr-et-gpt.html
So on my Lenovo, the BIOS uses GPT by default and not MBR.
As mentioned in the link I copied here, you can change a GPT disk to MBR, but it must be completely empty, and therefore I would have to delete the Windows 8 installed.
I’m going in circles: if I leave the BIOS with the default settings, it seems impossible to boot from the CD, and if I change the BIOS settings from UEFI mode to LEGACY mode, which allows booting from the CD, the installation of Windows 7 cannot proceed because the disk is GPT.
So apparently, I cannot perform the installation.
In fact, even though I said my previous message might be the last of the discussion, and that this discussion seems to not interest many people (even though I found many on forums... in English), I come back here to say what I just saw and understood I believe. All of this may help someone someday.
It seems that the boot system installed on the Lenovo G50 is just a BIOS emulating UEFI, but not a "true" UEFI, I think. Indeed, I saw on the internet the UEFI interface which is totally different and offers many more options than what the Lenovo "BIOS" provides.
In particular, you can boot a CD/DVD drive in UEFI mode, which is essential for performing an installation like the one I wanted to do. This option does not seem to be offered with the Lenovo "BIOS."
So it really seems that I cannot carry out this installation, unless I install a real version of a compatible BIOS and format the entire disk erasing everything that exists on it, including Windows 8.
It seems that the boot system installed on the Lenovo G50 is just a BIOS emulating UEFI, but not a "true" UEFI, I think. Indeed, I saw on the internet the UEFI interface which is totally different and offers many more options than what the Lenovo "BIOS" provides.
In particular, you can boot a CD/DVD drive in UEFI mode, which is essential for performing an installation like the one I wanted to do. This option does not seem to be offered with the Lenovo "BIOS."
So it really seems that I cannot carry out this installation, unless I install a real version of a compatible BIOS and format the entire disk erasing everything that exists on it, including Windows 8.
Hello again,
Yes, looking at your link, I see that I'll have some issues creating a dual-boot anyway, as each PC has its own particularities that can be quite baffling. But I repeat, I've learned a lot, so that's positive.
Didier
Yes, looking at your link, I see that I'll have some issues creating a dual-boot anyway, as each PC has its own particularities that can be quite baffling. But I repeat, I've learned a lot, so that's positive.
Didier
hiya everyone
maybe here
https://www.clubic.com/windows-os/windows-8/article-517991-1-windows-8-dual-boot.html
maybe here
https://www.clubic.com/windows-os/windows-8/article-517991-1-windows-8-dual-boot.html
Well, to move the subject forward, I'm replying to myself to indicate here what I've managed to do so far, without going all the way:
First, I activated the BIOS by pressing the Novo button (located on the left side of the G50, next to the power supply).
I went into the BIOS to enable Legacy mode instead of UEFI.
I modified the boot sequence to prioritize booting from the DVD drive.
I rebooted after inserting the Windows 7 installation DVD into the DVD drive.
The startup then correctly proceeds from the DVD, and the launch is completely different from that which occurs under Windows 8 by running the "setup.exe" from the DVD. What happens is very similar to a Windows XP installation.
For now, I haven't gone further, partly out of fear that the installation won't ask me which partition to install Windows 7 on, even though I've read that the option is offered later.
To be continued?
First, I activated the BIOS by pressing the Novo button (located on the left side of the G50, next to the power supply).
I went into the BIOS to enable Legacy mode instead of UEFI.
I modified the boot sequence to prioritize booting from the DVD drive.
I rebooted after inserting the Windows 7 installation DVD into the DVD drive.
The startup then correctly proceeds from the DVD, and the launch is completely different from that which occurs under Windows 8 by running the "setup.exe" from the DVD. What happens is very similar to a Windows XP installation.
For now, I haven't gone further, partly out of fear that the installation won't ask me which partition to install Windows 7 on, even though I've read that the option is offered later.
To be continued?
Well, maybe this is the ultimate message with a final attempt on my part. Indeed, as the "BIOS-UEFI" seems to indicate it can boot from a USB drive, I created a bootable USB drive with Windows 7 on it, essentially a copy of the installation DVD. The drive seems to have been created correctly, but it does not boot when starting the Lenovo.
I really think that for a machine like the G50, a classic BIOS with an MBR disk would have been more than enough. Ah, if I had only known before the purchase!
I really think that for a machine like the G50, a classic BIOS with an MBR disk would have been more than enough. Ah, if I had only known before the purchase!
Hi,
You didn't understand one important thing... in order for W7 to be installed in dual-boot in UEFI (and you have no other option or you'll risk losing W8 and the Lenovo tools), you need to modify your W7 (64-bit version required, by the way).
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-30800235-uefi
As long as "secure boot" can be disabled (a crucial condition for W7, which is not signed, to boot) and there are drivers available, we can, in principle, install a dual-boot W8/W7 on a PC... but a few precautions must be taken beforehand.
This topic doesn't interest many people, as this kind of dual-boot has no real value (see my link)... since both OS are twins.
You didn't understand one important thing... in order for W7 to be installed in dual-boot in UEFI (and you have no other option or you'll risk losing W8 and the Lenovo tools), you need to modify your W7 (64-bit version required, by the way).
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-30800235-uefi
As long as "secure boot" can be disabled (a crucial condition for W7, which is not signed, to boot) and there are drivers available, we can, in principle, install a dual-boot W8/W7 on a PC... but a few precautions must be taken beforehand.
This topic doesn't interest many people, as this kind of dual-boot has no real value (see my link)... since both OS are twins.
Hello,
And above all, thank you for the reply. Yes, of course I didn't understand everything, and deep down, the interest of my attempts is perhaps simply to progress in knowledge. That's why I still tried to keep understanding, and I continued to dig into the bootable USB key since my BIOS-UEFI doesn't seem to allow booting from the CD/DVD.
I eventually discovered the RUFUS software which would allow, among many others, to create a bootable USB key for installation on GPT disk. Here is the download link:
http://www.clubic.com/telecharger-fiche430321-rufus.html
This utility requires an ISO image of the Windows 7 installation, in 64-bit version indeed. Furthermore, I read that in order to be bootable with UEFI, the USB key must be formatted as FAT32, which the utility allows and which I have done.
Once the key was created, I restarted the LENOVO, but despite the apparently correct BIOS-UEFI settings, the laptop started normally and not from the USB key.
Out of curiosity (again), I displayed the contents of the key and clicked on setup.exe.
The installation began as I had seen when launching from the DVD, but oh surprise, no error message and a dialog box asking which partition I want to install Windows 7 on!
I indicated the newly created partition that I had made for this purpose, and upon validation, a warning message appeared saying that the partitions are not in a satisfactory order and invited me to go to the Microsoft website and search for "GPT", which I did without really getting an answer to the warning message.
I did not continue the installation afterwards, still of course fearing to destroy something important, but despite everything, it indeed seems that I have managed, a bit by chance and by poking around, to create a bootable Windows 7 on my GPT partition.
I fully agree that what I am trying to do on my laptop is not very interesting, apart from as I said to learn, because having not bought a PC for quite some time, I had remained on the "real" BIOS that I mastered much better. But we must evolve, otherwise we would still be on DOS!
And above all, thank you for the reply. Yes, of course I didn't understand everything, and deep down, the interest of my attempts is perhaps simply to progress in knowledge. That's why I still tried to keep understanding, and I continued to dig into the bootable USB key since my BIOS-UEFI doesn't seem to allow booting from the CD/DVD.
I eventually discovered the RUFUS software which would allow, among many others, to create a bootable USB key for installation on GPT disk. Here is the download link:
http://www.clubic.com/telecharger-fiche430321-rufus.html
This utility requires an ISO image of the Windows 7 installation, in 64-bit version indeed. Furthermore, I read that in order to be bootable with UEFI, the USB key must be formatted as FAT32, which the utility allows and which I have done.
Once the key was created, I restarted the LENOVO, but despite the apparently correct BIOS-UEFI settings, the laptop started normally and not from the USB key.
Out of curiosity (again), I displayed the contents of the key and clicked on setup.exe.
The installation began as I had seen when launching from the DVD, but oh surprise, no error message and a dialog box asking which partition I want to install Windows 7 on!
I indicated the newly created partition that I had made for this purpose, and upon validation, a warning message appeared saying that the partitions are not in a satisfactory order and invited me to go to the Microsoft website and search for "GPT", which I did without really getting an answer to the warning message.
I did not continue the installation afterwards, still of course fearing to destroy something important, but despite everything, it indeed seems that I have managed, a bit by chance and by poking around, to create a bootable Windows 7 on my GPT partition.
I fully agree that what I am trying to do on my laptop is not very interesting, apart from as I said to learn, because having not bought a PC for quite some time, I had remained on the "real" BIOS that I mastered much better. But we must evolve, otherwise we would still be on DOS!
kikoo everyone
what if you FLASH the BIOS to update it ...??
https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/fr/fr/products/laptops-and-netbooks/lenovo-g-series-laptops/g50-70-notebook-lenovo/downloads/DS100522
what if you FLASH the BIOS to update it ...??
https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/fr/fr/products/laptops-and-netbooks/lenovo-g-series-laptops/g50-70-notebook-lenovo/downloads/DS100522
Thing already attempted, but always ending with an incompatibility message. It's true that in the Lenovo BIOS, I have not allowed the installation of an "earlier" BIOS. But frankly, I prefer not to go as far as modifying that; I wouldn't want to find myself unable to start the laptop.
do you have the Shutdown button???
https://download.lenovo.com/consumer/hnt/lenovo_g40_30_g50_30_bsod_solution.pdf
https://download.lenovo.com/consumer/hnt/lenovo_g40_30_g50_30_bsod_solution.pdf
Hello everyone
I found a simple solution for those who want to install Windows 7 on a Lenovo G50.
1- Press the Novo button on the left next to the power port to enter the BIOS setup.
2- Go to the Boot menu and change UEFI to Legacy Support and choose booting from legacy at the bottom using the fn+f5 keys.
3- Go to the exit menu, then to OS Optimized defaults, hit enter, and choose win8, win7 Os or Other Os; in my case, I chose Win7 os and save it before restarting.
The installation proceeds normally without errors or blue screens.
In my case, I had Win8 on the Lenovo, and I replaced it with Win7 at a friend's request.
I hope I was clear and that I added something useful;
I found a simple solution for those who want to install Windows 7 on a Lenovo G50.
1- Press the Novo button on the left next to the power port to enter the BIOS setup.
2- Go to the Boot menu and change UEFI to Legacy Support and choose booting from legacy at the bottom using the fn+f5 keys.
3- Go to the exit menu, then to OS Optimized defaults, hit enter, and choose win8, win7 Os or Other Os; in my case, I chose Win7 os and save it before restarting.
The installation proceeds normally without errors or blue screens.
In my case, I had Win8 on the Lenovo, and I replaced it with Win7 at a friend's request.
I hope I was clear and that I added something useful;
Hello
I installed Windows 7 on my Lenovo. Here's how I did it and it worked on the first try
for the BIOS, disable UEFI mode
then, boot from the DVD drive at startup
during installation, choose the custom option
completely empty the hard drive, no partitions left on it. Choose to format it once emptied and then continue with the installation
I certify it worked for me
there you go
--
I installed Windows 7 on my Lenovo. Here's how I did it and it worked on the first try
for the BIOS, disable UEFI mode
then, boot from the DVD drive at startup
during installation, choose the custom option
completely empty the hard drive, no partitions left on it. Choose to format it once emptied and then continue with the installation
I certify it worked for me
there you go
--