I might have just borked my new PC build

I was under the impression that a Win 8 key is also a license to downgrade to Win 7 no?

I don't know about that, I'll have to look into it.

I do know that Windows 7 has been running for hours now. Running Steam, playing games, running Netflix, updating Windows 137 times, and not a single freeze!

So after about a month of work and 2 RMAs it turns out it was a software issue.

What makes me sad is that I was really excited for Windows 8. This is my living room rig and I think the live tiles make for a better experience on the TV (also I want the latest directX goodies). Alas maybe I'll try to reinstall Win8 in a few months after things have settled out but I'm not hopeful. I can only think that it's some bit of hardware that's not playing nice with Win8 and I'm not planning on changing the hardware anytime soon.

Did you check for firmware updates for all your parts? Before I installed windows 8 on one of my machines I found a specific firmware to install before windows 8.

AmazingZoidberg wrote:

I don't know about that, I'll have to look into it.

I do know that Windows 7 has been running for hours now. Running Steam, playing games, running Netflix, updating Windows 137 times, and not a single freeze!

So after about a month of work and 2 RMAs it turns out it was a software issue.

What makes me sad is that I was really excited for Windows 8. This is my living room rig and I think the live tiles make for a better experience on the TV (also I want the latest directX goodies). Alas maybe I'll try to reinstall Win8 in a few months after things have settled out but I'm not hopeful. I can only think that it's some bit of hardware that's not playing nice with Win8 and I'm not planning on changing the hardware anytime soon.

Bitter sweet news. At least you know your hardware is good. Hopefully Win8 gets it's arse in line.

I just took a quick google. If I'm reading it right, OEM copies of windows can downgrade to an earlier version. You'll need a key matching that older version, even if it's in use, when it inevitably fails activation you have to get on the phone to MS and give them your W8 key to get a downgrade key for W7.

kazar wrote:

Did you check for firmware updates for all your parts? Before I installed windows 8 on one of my machines I found a specific firmware to install before windows 8.

I definitely upgraded the firmware on my SSD, GPU and MB. Neither of the firmwares said anything about Win8. That'sone reason I'm thinking I might have better luck in a few months.

Will the demo version of Win7 pop up a prompt for the activation key in 30 days? I just left the key field blank and it wasn't very clear that it would be requiring one in the future.

kazar wrote:

Did you check for firmware updates for all your parts? Before I installed windows 8 on one of my machines I found a specific firmware to install before windows 8.

I definitely upgraded the firmware on my SSD, GPU and MB. Neither of the firmwares said anything about Win8. That'sone reason I'm thinking I might have better luck in a few months.

Will the demo version of Win7 pop up a prompt for the activation key in 30 days? I just left the key field blank and it wasn't very clear that it would be requiring one in the future.

It'll start hassling you in a few days for a serial number and activation. Try calling Microsoft with your W8 key when that happens. If it doesn't work out, you'll have several weeks to obtain a legit copy of W7.

So it looks like I'm gonna have to legitimize my Windows 7 with a key. Any suggestions for the cheapest way to get a legit Win 7 key. I'm annoyed at having to pay for windows twice, but I do want it to be legit.

AmazingZoidberg wrote:

So it looks like I'm gonna have to legitimize my Windows 7 with a key. Any suggestions for the cheapest way to get a legit Win 7 key. I'm annoyed at having to pay for windows twice, but I do want it to be legit.

You should be able to buy a windows 7 upgrade and have it work. If you own any versions of windows previously, you are entitled to the upgrade disk option. Should save you a few dollars. If you happen to be a student, they have really cheap options through university agreements. There are ways around having to go through their steps of installing the previous version of windows only to upgrade it to windows 7. A quick search of the web will tell you how.

STOP, with a legit version of win8 you qualify for a free downgrade to win7. Not sure how you obtain it though as once I moved to 8 I didnt consider going back.

how to:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/lice...

The problem is your wireless card. Remove it and proceed with your setup

Blotto The Clown wrote:

STOP, with a legit version of win8 you qualify for a free downgrade to win7. Not sure how you obtain it though as once I moved to 8 I didnt consider going back.

how to:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/lice...

Only for OEM copies. You need to get the (earlier) version you want installed to 'fail' activation, and then talk to MS.

Try removing the the Rosewill RNX-N250PC2 card. I am running Windows 8. When I install the card, my system crashes and I get a blue screen with dots. If I remove the card, my system runs fine.

Finally got around to stripping out the wireless card as suggested by a few coffee grinders, and wouldn't you know it but Windows 8 is running fine.

Sigh.