Reformatting a *used Windows 8.1* SSD back to windows 7?

[EvanVanVan]

I'm trying to remotely help my buddy install windows 7 on his computer. I built him a new computer this past weekend, but don't live near him and the SSD hadn't arrived yet so wasn't able to install windows for him.

When he booted up, the SSD it still had Windows 8.1 installed and the previous owners accounts on it (locked with a password). He's able to enter bios the normal way (tapping Del). When he switched around the boot order, it keeps telling him to insert a bootable drive.

Two questions, he should choose the normal "USB: Lexar..." option and not the "UEFI: Lexar..." option correct? and secondly, is it possible (likely even) that he just screwed up making the flash drive bootable?

I'm posting this in the W8 forum because I know W8 messed with certain Bios/UEFI stuff, I'm just not sure it applies when the rest of the computer is brand new and only the SSD is used...

Thanks

 

[captaincharisma]

it really doesn't matter its just whick type of BIOS the computer uses to boot the PC. i would recommend the UEFI option though

 

[medab1]

Why not format the ssd ?
If the install media is ok it should install ok.
Are we talking iso media ? or what ?
More information would be nice.

 

[EvanVanVan]

it really doesn't matter its just whick type of BIOS the computer uses to boot the PC. i would recommend the UEFI option though

Ok, so if the UEFI option doesn't work, he most likely just messed up the boot disk. Thanks

Why not format the ssd ?
If the install media is ok it should install ok.
Are we talking iso media ? or what ?
More information would be nice.

Yeah, I'm going to reformat the SSD, but I can't seem to get the Windows 7 USB install disk to boot at all. I'm just wondering if there's something special that needs to be done, or if he just messed up the bootable flash drive? Thanks

 

[medab1]

If the install usb is bad, this link may help---

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

You can get the iso file there.
What I do with iso files is to extract them to a usb drive with 7Zip.
Then click on the setup.exe file to start the installing process.
Works good.

I use a 64 GB usb to make sure it has enough room for the extracted files.

edit-
I do it like this because it makes things easy.
I don't have to restart & hope the computer will boot to the iso file.
Once you click the setup.exe the new OS will start installing.