[Boatanchors] Format problems

[Paul]

> Well now there is this new style of BIOS (that I have only read a little
about, not experienced) where Microsoft has it rigged so you can only boot
software with their signature.  This came up in a discussion of Linux, and
Microsoft's efforts to make it impossible to install on a PC.

> If you buy a Dell or HP computer and the software CD comes with it, you
will not be able to install the Dell software CD on the HP or HP on the
Dell.  If you buy a CD with Microsoft from a store, you will be able to
install it anywhere you like.  Sounds reasonable to me.


To clarify a few points:

The new style of BIOS is really something called UEFI that has been around
for years and is now coming into general use. BIOS is still there but has
UEFI parameters in it that must be turned off (disabled) in order to install
an OS that does not use UEFI for its boot process (like Win8). Basically you
just go into your BIOS, locate the two parameters called "FAST BOOT" and
"SECURE BOOT" and disable them. It is "SECURE BOOT" that Microsoft uses in
Win8 to ensure you boot only into their OS. By turning off the "SECURE BOOT"
parameter, you can boot up any OS. "FAST BOOT" needs to be disabled because
if you don't, you are often forced to run CHKDSK at each reboot. Not a
problem, just slows down the process and is not necessary. OK, so once these
parms are turned off, just use a partition manager (I use a freebie called
Partition Magic) and shrink the Win8 OS partition in half, create a new
empty partition and install your OS to it (Linux, Win7 etc). You can't
install WinXP directly as it requires an MBR disk, and the new disks are
usually GPT (MBR only supports max 2TB drives, GTP is needed for disks over
2TB). If you need WinXP use a Virtual Machine (in Win7 Pro) or a Hyper-V
Machine (In Win8.1 Pro). Once your new OS is installed, it should now show
up as an entry in your Boot Manager program (I use another freebie called
EasyBCD) and you can choose between your installed operating systems at boot
time.

As for not being able to install OEM OS's, as long as you get a
genuine/legitimate OEM disk with the complete operation system on it, it
should work. I purchased an OEM Dell Win7 SP1 recovery disk on eBay, and
installed it on my brand new HP Envy as a clean install and it works just
fine. The machine I am using at the moment is my new HP Envy, using Win7
(hate Win8 look!!). I installed it, along with Linux on a separate hard
drive, and at boot time I am able to choose between Win8.1 Pro, Win7 Pro and
Linux. Once installed, check you device manager for devices that haven't
been activated, do a "google search" to locate the Win7 or Linux drivers for
those devices, download and install them. 

It can be done.... here's a link to get started at:
http://www.pagestart.com/win8dbwin701181301.html

73, Paul W2EC