Installing windows 7 on Z240

[jackgwrights]

Hey, the OS on this machine is Windows 10, since buying it a colleague has since told me it needs Windows 7 on it. Usually it is as simple as booting the machine from a windows 7 disk. Although for some reason this machine just won't get past the "Starting Windows" message when the icon appears. I have tried turning boot in safe mode off as Google said that was the problem. Still nothing. I have also tried 2 different discs.

Can someone please help with this as it's pretty urgent? 

Regards,

Jack

[CF4]

Hi

Did they say why you would want an old and soon to be 'obsolete' operating system?

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-z240-small-form-factor-workstation/8354567

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-z240-tower-workstation/8354563

There are drivers available I think.

The Windows 10 uses Secure boot and GPT, Windows 7 doesn't.

So as you say it is not simple to just change from Secure to Legacy and From a GPT to MBR.

Perhaps consult your friend and find out why and how they would do it.

If you do a system restore and get an OS installed, and it is W10, then in future if the W7 failed and you did a system restore you would get W10 and all your W7 data would be lost.

So please really find out why.

[jackgwrights]

Hey, thanks for the reply!

The design engineers are using it as they use Creo and it isn't properly supported by Windows 10.

Regards,

Jack

[CF4]

Hi

So it is a need.

There are several ways to try and install Windows 7

ISO images of various Microsoft OS's are available. They can be be downloaded (sometimes you need a licence key other than the HP OEM key) and 'burnt' to a DVD or USB. They will NOT contain the appropriate HP software, like drivers etc, but will enable a repair to be started

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

For when you only have Linux etc (non MS OS) to create install media.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

I know you have disks and the above is a marker for / if things don't run smoothly.

With Windows 10 installed you can install Windows 7 inside of it, alongside of it OR instead of it.

INSIDE with Virtual Box   https://www.virtualbox.org/

AlONGSIDE  Buy a small cheap Hard Disk and fit that and install W7 from new, and unplug or remove W10 disk.

INSTEAD  https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26203-convert-gpt-disk-mbr-disk.html

                   https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc725797(v=ws.11).aspx

                   https://backstage.paragon-software.com/free/pm-express/

                   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nymMWop7bPw

                    https://www.partition-tool.com/resource/GPT-disk-partition-manager/convert-gpt-disk-to-mbr-disk.htm

You can shrink and make space for windows 7 with a variety of Partition Managers, so it's on the same Hard Disk but separate from W10 AND make a DATA partition to store / save stuff on.

I know the above is not what you hoped for, but it is complicated.

If in doubt please ask.

[CF4]

Hi

Two thoughts....

Are the designs saved as a .cad file that other CAD/CAM software could open? 

https://www.freecadweb.org/

Could CREO be installed in compatibility mode?

[jackgwrights · Accepted solution]

Hey,

I got it sorted, I turned on Legacy support and disabled safe boot. Once I did that it passed the Windows starting screen but then the mouse / keyboard didn't work, so after browsing the internet, the solution was to use a PS/2 mouse & keyboard!

Thanks very much for everyones help,

Jack

[ASusi]

If I install a second HD, would it be possible to install Windows 7 and make it a dual boot?