How To Replace Windows 8 with Windows 7 on a Compaq CQ58

[LodeHere]

Hi!

Yesterday I bought a Compaq CQ58 with Windows 8 on it. I would like to buy Windows 7 to replace Windows 8 with. But:

1. Is it posible to change 8 to 7 on my CQ58 notebook?

2. And if so, can I still have the default HP programs on it? 

3. And if so, how?

[MrStutterZ]

I am going through the same downgrade for my HP ENVY 17-j013cl.  I don't know much about your device, but it should be possible.  PC Magazine did a write up on it that got me started.  I'm just looking for one more driver...  Here's the link to get you started (Unfortunately, I never got the option to clean and repartition my HD like the write up mentioned.  Also I had to burn my drivers to a separate DVD since my USB ports weren't working anymore until I installed the drivers for them.)

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2417359,00.asp

And here's a link to help make a bootable USB... (be sure to format the usb ntfs "format fs=ntfs")

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-USB-Bootable

Hope these help...

[davidmartin123]

Yeah, It' s possible to do. However, you need to download all the drivers including audio, video and network for Windows 7 from the official website. 

[LodeHere]

Thank you so much. I'll look into it if I still need to.

I've also seen that there is quite a number of programs made to have Windows 8 look and behave like Windows 7. The list can be found by typing -or copy pasting- "start8 alternatives" in a new tab of your browser.

I just read an article quoting someone from Microsoft saying that Windows 8 was really developed for touch screens.The article also said that 90% of the people don't have touch screens... 

I see notebooks with touch screens come out, but to me that makes no sense. Why lift up your arm, move your hand to the screen, and then touch it with a finger every time you want to do something that you can must faster and easier do with just a short slide and tap of your finger on your touch pad?

But maybe there are those among us who like to touch and play with it as todlers do with brightly colored cubes...

[LodeHere]

I had to disable Windows updates shortly after I got my new Compaq CQ58 because it threw my notebook in a loop. During installing the first series of 90 updates after about 2 hours the message would appear saying that the configuration failed, and the updates were being rolled back. All that time I could not use my notebook. Then after a reboot the process would begin again, and again the error message. 

I was finallly able to get rid of the downloaded but not yet installing updates by utilizing the "Refesh" option. (System restore left the downloaded updates on my notebook, and the loop started again.)

Immediately I disabled Windows updates after having gotten rid of the downloaded series. (I always suft in the virtual space of a sandbox -called Sandboxie- so I never get any malware on my hard drive anyway. I even run my email client sandboxed. This is typed in my sandbox.)

I was able to make my notebook look like it was running Windows 7 using a program called "Startisback." I disabled Edge Motion to prevent Metro from suddenly blocking my view from what I was doing only because I moved my finger to the left on my touchpad. What a reief not to be bothered by that to me childish and ugly looking Metro interface anymore! 

But I have stil too many problems with Windows 8, even though it looks and functions like Windows 7 now. Too often I get "So and so stopped functioning" messages, after which the the program closes. This even happened to IE10! I had to use system restore to get IE10 working again! Just one of the programs that now and then stops working.

So I'm fed up with Windows 8 after having suffered with it long enough. 

I understand I can install Windows 7 on my notebook. But that then I must install all the drivers myself from the original websites.

My questions: How can I know what drivers I would exactly need? And where to download them?

I only use my notebook for surfing, posting, emailing, Skyping, and watching a YouTube video now and then. Nothing else.

[lasvegaswireman · Accepted solution]

When requesting assistance, please provide the complete model name and product number (p/n) of the HP computer in question. HP/Compaq makes thousands of models of computers. Without this information it may be difficult or impossible to assist you in resolving your issue.

The above requested information can be found on the bottom of your computer, inside the battery compartment or on the startup BIOS screen. Please see How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number? for more assistance locating this information. DO NOT include your serial number. Please enter the model/product information into HP's Online Consumer Support page and post it here for our review.

1. Is it posible to change 8 to 7 on my CQ58 notebook? YES, it is most likely possible to install Windows 7 on your computer.

2. And if so, can I still have the default HP programs on it? NO

3. And if so, how?

****Disclaimer*****

HP doesn't recommend the installation of Windows 7 on a consumer computer shipped with Windows 8, nor will it support the installation of Windows 7. HP will not provide Windows 7 drivers and suitable drivers may not be available for the hardware in the computer. Also, Windows 7 may not support some of the hardware or software features designed for the computer.

Make sure you create your HP Recovery Discs or USB Flash Recovery media before modifying or changing ANYTHING.

You will need to DISABLE "Secure Boot" and ENABLE "Legacy Support" in the "BIOS Secure Boot configuration" on the settings page similar to what is shown below, before you can attempt to install Windows 7;

After saving the changes, the computer will request that you confirm the changes... Accept the changes by typing the four digit code and pressing the "ENTER" key.

If are you are installing from a USB stick and see a "Load Driver - a required CD/DVD drive device is missing" message, this is because "System Configuration" > "USB3.0 Config in Pre-Boot" is set to "Enabled". This must be set to "Auto". This should clear up the CD/DVD device missing.

Additionally, as the hard drive is most likely partitioned as GPT, you must boot using the UEFI-Internal CD/DVD or UEFI-USB Key/Drive to install Windows on a GPT partitioned disk. Turn on or reboot the computer and tap "F9" or "ESC" and then "F9" when prompted. Highlight the UEFI boot source you are using and press "ENTER".

I suggest using Windows 7 SP1 for the best intallation experience. If you need Windows SP1, please see "How to Install Windows 7 Without the Disc" to download and create your own Windows 7 SP1 disc. If the DVD refuses to boot as UEFI, you may need to use a USB Flash drive (may require DISABLING "Fast Boot" in the BIOS) as the installation media. Please download the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool to create a Windows 7 SP1 USB Flash drive. Please note that some computers may not recognize a valid UEFI enabled USB Flash drive if it is formated as NTFS and may require a FAT32 formatted USB Flash drive. You should be able to make a FAT32 formatted Windows 7 installation USB Flash drive using Rufus, UNetbootin, Universal USB Installer, or WiNToBootic. I like Rufus, as it has options for "GPT partition scheme for UEFI computer" and "FAT32".

From the top...

1)  Turn on the computer and immediately start tapping the "ESC" key.

2)  When the MENU comes up, press the "F10" key.

3)  Navigate the BIOS to "System Configuration", "USB 3.0 Config in Pre-OS" and set to "Auto".

4)  Navigate the BIOS to  "System Configuration", "Boot Options" and set "Secure Boot" to "Disabled" and set "Legacy Support" to "Enabled".

5)  Press "F10" and click "YES" to "Exit Saving Changes"

6)  Computer should restart and display "Operating System Boot Mode Change"... type the four digit code and press "ENTER".

7)  Let Windows 8 boot-up and place the Windows 7 SP1media in the DVD drive or USB port, then log-off / shutdown.

😎  Turn on the computer and immediately start tapping the "ESC" key.

9)  When the MENU comes up, press the "F9" key and then select the correct UEFI boot source (Internal CD/DVD drive, USB CD/DVD drive, USB Flash drive, etc.)... Press any key to boot CD/DVD, if prompted.

10)  Select "Language", "Time / Currency", and "Keyboard" settings and then click "Next"

11)  Click "Install Now"... check "Accept Terms" and click "Next". Click "Custom (Advanced)". 

12)  You may need to supply Intel or AMD SATA/RAID drivers at this time...

13)  "Where do you want to install Windows 7???" Select "Disk / Partition" with "Unallocated Space" you created earlier and click "Next".

14)  Follow all prompts and answer as needed. Enter Windows 7 key when requested.

15)  Download and install drivers from your computer's support page.

After installing the drivers, please post the Windows Device Manager's "Hardware Ids" (just the text) for all remaining missing or unknown devices as shown in the example below;

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Please click the White KUDOS "Thumbs Up" to show your appreciation

[LodeHere]

Thank you so much for giving me all that information! You did a lot of work there...

I just got 2 more error messages: first that MailWasher Pro was not working anymore. ( I use it to report spam with to SpamCop which sends it on to the spammer's ISP.) So I started MailWasher via the Strart menu, but only its splash screen appeared. After nearly a minute of looking at the spalsh screen I tried to reboot. But instead the same "Program doesn't work anymore" panel appeared with the question if I wanted to end the program... 

I can't believe it: was that referring to the reboot program? Anyway, I just kept the On/Off button pressed down until my notebook shut down, and after 4 or 5 seconds pressed it again and it rebooted normally, MailWasher Pro was also back.

Looking at the series of things to do you posted for me I want to think things over a bit. That's quite a bit of work. I wonder if utilizing the option to reset my notebook to factory state might not be the thing to do first and see if this time things go well. Especially to begin with the long series of Windows updates, a total of nearly 200 in two series. Upgrading to 8.1 I won't do, let alone to update 1 for Windows 8.1 after that. I absolutely need to use Startisback to have a Windows 7 looking environment.

I don't quite understand what you mean by posting the product and serial model numbers via the link you gave: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/siteHome?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us

But here are those data...

Product: F4V53EA#ABH

Model: CQ58-d70SD

If I decide to get Windows 7 I would first make screen shots of your instructions here and save them on a memory stick. Come to think of it, better print those out to have them on paper. A memorie stick won't work during the process.

I scanned with MalwareBytes Pro, HitmanPro, Emsisoft-AntiMalware, SuperAntiSpyware and for good messure even temporarily installed Panda Cloud and after scanning removed it again, and none of them  found any malware.

[LodeHere]

Another thing is that often the screen freezes. For example I had to wait maybe half a minute before I could move the cursor (arrow) and begin writing this post. It was frozen on the screen. Also often my Opera browser (default) doesn't respond for a while. I just have to wait a bit until it does again.

I've scanned with some of the well known top brand AV and AntiMalware scanners, but nothing suspicious found. 

Mabe it's because I only have 1.48 GHz. But it was inexpensive.

In the mean time I decided to try Zorin 9 as an additional OS first before maybe installing Windows 7. For that I burned the Zorin file to a DVD. I must reboot with the DVD in my notebook. Then I'll get the option to run the OS from the DVD to try it out. It does not install Zorin. That is another option. 

But booting up from the DVD doesn't work. I set the Boot Order to CD/DVD enterring that option with f9 and saving the setting and exiting with f10. But rebooting still happens normally. Not from the DVD.

How can I make my notebook boot up from the DVD? 

...........................................................................

PS:

I found out: "How to boot from CD or USB with a Windows 8 Computer"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C50dJf5MweM

It looked different for me with the Windows 7 appearance on Windows 8, but it worked.

I've just tried Zorin 9 Free while it is still in the try it out mode (which is on the DVD I burned it on) only. Already in this slow trial DVD inserted mode it is at least as fast as my Windows 8.  Installing it Zorin becomes much faster than in the run from DVD try it out mode. So I'll probaly install it next to Windows 8. Then after every reboot I'll be given the choice the use Windows 8 or Zorin 9.

I'm happy with it so far. Only waiting for answers to a few questions on how to set some things in this OS which I posted on the Zorin forum after someone already answered my first question.

Thank you again for your help on how to install Windows 7. If Zorin turns out not to be for me, I'll probably use your helpful information. But so far so good.  

[LodeHere]

Thank you again so much.

In the mean time I found out that my Online Armor firewall with HIPS had blocked the Windows 8 update install configuration. When I put that firewall in Learn mode -no blocking- the updates were installed. 

I informed Emsisoft about it.

My Compaq CQ58 is working fine now. 

Looking at you extensive tutorial I feel a lot of things might go wrong replacing Windows 8 with 7, and it is a lot of work. And even after a successful install some issues may arise I understand.

Especially because I now have my Elitebook 850 G1 (Windows 8.1 Pro) and want to sell the Compac CQ58 I don't want to saddle the new owner up with potential problems due to having installed Windows 7 Professional on a Windows 8 notebook.

I have an unused Windows 7 Professional DVD which was send me by the vendor of the Elitebook for just in case... so I can give that to the new owner.

What probably happenend is that using CCleaner's Drive Wiper on the CQ58 to overwrite everyhing I had already deleted as a preparation for selling the notebook I made a mistake choosing the mode and delted the recovery software used by the Refresh option.  

The easiest and safest seems to be getting a Recovery Kit for Windows 8 (here called "Herstel Kit" in my country):

http://tinyurl.com/l4qrcze

Oops, no Kit available for my CQ58:

With space between the F and 4 (as on the notebook:

http://tinyurl.com/p3yores

Without the space:

http://tinyurl.com/nzd6gc2

The best I can do then is buy a Windows 8 or 8.1 DVD I guess...

PS:

I found an offer to buy a Windows 8.1 unused retail licence paying €34.99 through PayPal (safe to get your money back just in case) and requiring a download from the Microsoft website. The vendor has been in business for 2 years and has a good reputation in my country.