• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Question about upgrading to Windows 8 from 7, does the install affect the BIOS ?

J

jaytone1

Member
This is what I want to do. I need to learn Windows 8 to help customers with the new OS.
I have a Dell tower with Windows 7 (computer is about 4 years old). My plan is to clone the hard drive to another hard drive, remove the first one which will have Windows 7 and upgrade the cloned h.d. to Windows 8. My fear is that if I remove the h.d that has Windows 8 and put the original h.d. with Windows 7, it may no longer work if the Windows 8 install changed the BIOS.
So, will I be able to put the Windows 7 h.d. back in with no problems or does the install of Windows 8 change the BIOS making it impossible to use the first h.d.
Thanks
 
The BIOS will not be changed. The original hard drive should work fine when you connect it back.

Just don't hook up both hard drives at the same time. That might alter the boot record on one of the hard drives, causing it not to boot up properly. This happened to me once.
 
I think if you use the "upgrade" version of Windows 8, it will replace your Windows 7 license and make your Windows 7 key not legitimate. If you go this route, search the Internet and find ways to clean install Windows 8 upgrade. Or if you have an old copy of Windows XP or Vista which you can reinstall and activate, put these on the drive and upgrade over these copies of Windows you don't plan on using anymore.

BTW, I have Windows XP on one hard drive, I rarely use it, and I have Windows 7 on an SSD. When I installed these two operating systems, I completely disconnected the other OS drive. Once both were up and running, I keep both connected and use my BIOS boot option, F12 in my case, to toggle between either OS when I start the computer. Neither seems to mess with the other.
 
Last edited:
SimMike2 said:
I think if you use the "upgrade" version of Windows 8, it will replace your Windows 7 license and make your Windows 7 key not legitimate.
Click to expand...
Nothing happens to the key. jaytone's plan is perfectly reasonable, and other than perhaps needing to add an entry to Win7 in his BCD, it should go off without a hitch.
 
BCD is the Windows bootloader. Generally speaking Windows takes care of it on its own, but if you need to add or remove entries for other OSes, EasyBCD is the tool to use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top