There is no need to modify the Bios to do this. However, you would need to do a clean installation. Click here to view a video tutorial which explains the proper way of installing Windows 7 on an Alienware system. As long as you have the Windows 7 Ultimate installation disk and product key, that is all you will need.
The main system drivers and applications can be downloaded from the Dell support site. Click here to view the site. Make sure to select "Windows 7" as the operating system on the drop down menu. We would recommend you download the network drivers in an external device first, like a USB flash drive. This is because after you finish installing Windows 7, you will not have internet access until you install the network drivers.
I read somewhere that we need to change some ATA/AHCI and do something with legacy boot settings in the bios. Also, I have a 500gb HDD and 80 gb Msata ssd, so can I install one or two more 2.5" hdd?
The Sata mode in the Bios does not need to be modified, it should work fine with the default option. The boot menu should be set to "UEFI'' (it usually comes like that by default). For this system, you can have 1 Sata 3 5400 rpm Hard Drive and 2 Solid-State Hard Drives (2 x M2 SATA SSD Slots) installed. Unfortunately, you cannot have 2 Sata 3 Hard Drives installed, it only has room for one.
Alienware - Rodrigo
7 Technologist
•
4.4K Posts
0
April 30th, 2015 16:00
Hello Slash_Lucky,
There is no need to modify the Bios to do this. However, you would need to do a clean installation. Click here to view a video tutorial which explains the proper way of installing Windows 7 on an Alienware system. As long as you have the Windows 7 Ultimate installation disk and product key, that is all you will need.
The main system drivers and applications can be downloaded from the Dell support site. Click here to view the site. Make sure to select "Windows 7" as the operating system on the drop down menu. We would recommend you download the network drivers in an external device first, like a USB flash drive. This is because after you finish installing Windows 7, you will not have internet access until you install the network drivers.
slash_lucky
2 Posts
0
April 30th, 2015 16:00
I read somewhere that we need to change some ATA/AHCI and do something with legacy boot settings in the bios. Also, I have a 500gb HDD and 80 gb Msata ssd, so can I install one or two more 2.5" hdd?
Alienware - Rodrigo
7 Technologist
•
4.4K Posts
0
May 1st, 2015 09:00
The Sata mode in the Bios does not need to be modified, it should work fine with the default option. The boot menu should be set to "UEFI'' (it usually comes like that by default). For this system, you can have 1 Sata 3 5400 rpm Hard Drive and 2 Solid-State Hard Drives (2 x M2 SATA SSD Slots) installed. Unfortunately, you cannot have 2 Sata 3 Hard Drives installed, it only has room for one.
Natakuc41
86 Posts
0
May 2nd, 2015 09:00
Yes you will need to change the UEFI BIOS settings. Windows 7 64 Bit installation media does not support SecureBoot or USB 3.0 ports.
Windows 7 can be installed in UEFI, see here:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/windows-7-sp1-iso-download/
Personally at this stage I would advise against the downgrade. Windows 8.1 can be customised with a few steps to make it usable:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/a-clean-install-of-windows-8-1/customising-windows-8-1/
In late summer both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will automatically be updated to Windows 10 for free. A .iso should be provided also:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-10-technical-preview-iso/
Its not worth the hassle of downgrading for a mere few months use.