Windows 8.1 installation hanging, need to revert bios, use Windwows 7..

[ClaudeC]

Hi!

I am trying to reinstall Windows 8.1 on my HP Pavillon g6. I've managed to do it a while back, but I have updated the BIOS to F12 and it seems to block the installation. I have wipe de HD, tried installing from a USB key, tried MBR and EFI format, tried going in Legacy mode, even tried to install windows 8.1 directly onthe HD from another PC, .... Nothing wokred!  THe best I get is a small window on the screen and dot turning in circle forever!

I would like to reinstall the old bios, I have downloaded one, F2A, but I need a software to run on the laptop to do it!!!

Maybe if I try to install Windows 8, instead of 8.1?   Maybe install Windows 7 and program the old BIOS?

I have not managed to find a WIndows 8 iso anywhere, anyone knows where I could find one?

 To download  WIndows 7, I need a key that I do not have 😞

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks 🙂

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

W8 was never available for download, so that option is out.

I suggest you make a bootable W7 64 bit ISO file from the link below, toward the bottom of the page.

I believe there is an option to skip entering a product key during the installation process.

Windows 7 Home Premium Free Download ISO 32 Bit 64 Bit (getintopc.com)

Use the Microsoft tool that I zipped up and attached below that you will need to transfer the ISO file to a USB flash drive or DVD so that it is bootable, or you can use a different free utility such as Rufus.

After you have installed W7 (assuming you don't have the same issue you are having now), you should be able to flash the BIOS.

[itsmyname]

It is my understanding that any updates to the BIOS are either:

1. to support new hardware (new processor, or new RAM);

2. to fix "bugs" and security-issues in the current BIOS.

Such updates are not linked to the operating system (Windows 7/8/10, Linux) being used.

I have never seen a case where it has been necessary to "down-level" the BIOS, to reinstall the original operating system.

Since you probably have "activated" Windows 8, your product-key has been sent to Microsoft. This entitles you to install Windows 10, using that product-key. Give that a try, before the "sunset" of Windows 8 in the year 2023. 

Note that trying to install Windows 7 on a computer that was factory-shipped with Windows 8 is going to give you problems, because Windows 7 may lack the device-drivers for your hardware (notably audio, video, USB) that are included in HP's version of Windows 8, and included in Microsoft's Windows 10.

[ClaudeC]

Hi!

I have tried to install WIndows 7, it start the installation, but quickly asks me for driver! I have tried to download some, but nothing seems to work. I even tried to install from the HD, but in MBR, it does not boot, nor in EFI. 😞

Windows 8 hangs, and I have also tried Windows 10, does not work either. I started at the beginning by tying to install Windows 10, and since it was not working, I updated the BIOS.

I just find out that if I install the old HD, I can boot my old WIndows 8.1! So if I can only find the BIOS version F12, to go back to the old version, I should be good, but where can i find that?

Regards,

Claude

[ClaudeC]

It dit not work, it asks for drivers!!!

But like I said in my other reply, I can install the old HD, and boot windows 8.1.

Now I only need the bios version F12, where can I find that?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

What is the full model number or product number of your PC?

Use this guide to find that information...please do not post the serial number.

HP Notebook PCs - How Do I Find My Product Name or Number? | HP® Customer Support

[ClaudeC]

HP Pavillon g6

The product number is C2N47UA#ABA

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I can't find vF.12, but I did find an older version if you want it...F.03.

Info:

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp57001-57500/sp57047.html

Exe:

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp57001-57500/sp57047.exe

[ClaudeC]

Thanks, I got the file.

I tried to install F16, but this is a downgrade from F2A, so it will not allow me to do it! 

I do not know if the F03 will do the same thingé

I heard that you can invalidate the current BIOS so that any version could be installed. I tried to Win-V to reset the cmos, it does not seemed to work.

How can I install F16?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Unfortunately, that I wouldn't know.

I assumed that unless the release notes say that you can't go back to an earlier version, that it can be done by simply running the exe file.

If you ran the file and it doesn't allow you to go back to the earlier version, then I guess it can't be done.