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    Possible to replace Win8 with Win7 on Asus ux21a?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by lars19, Jul 9, 2013.

  1. lars19

    lars19 Newbie

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    Hi -

    I want to buy an Asus UX21A.

    The only one I can find comes with Windows 8. I need Windows 7. Will I be able to install Windows 7 and have the computer fully functional?

    From reading around and helpful answers to questions, I understand the main steps:
    - Secure-erase the SSD with Parted Magic.
    - use the Windows 7 64bit from digitalriver (I have OEM legit version of Windows 7 with the activation key)
    - use the Microsoft USB/DVD download tool
    . set secure boot to disabled (in the security tab of the bios) and enable CSM (on the boot tab of the bios), which supposedly will let me select a USB boot device (true?)

    The issues I've found when researching:
    - There are only USB 3.0 on the computer (there is no USB 2.0). This has frustrated a lot of people who get stuck at the "missing CD/DVD driver" stage in the Windows 7 install. I've seen people who have installed Windows 7 onto an Asus UX21A, but with machines from last year that were shipped with Windows 7 (they were doing clean installs).

    I haven't seen anyone who successfully installed Windows 7 on a machine that shipped with Windows 8, but I've seen lots of people with problems.

    Does anyone know if it will work, and how?

    - I've seen lots of posts complaining that drivers will not work on a machine shipped with Windows 8. Power management and cam are mentioned a few times.

    I can't see the laptop or test anything before buying it. The specs I know are:
    Asus Zenbook Prime UX21A K1008H - Ultrabook - Core i5 3317U - Windows 8 64-bit - 4 GB RAM - 256 GB SSD - 11.6" 1920 x 1080 / Full HD - Intel HD Graphics 4000


    What do you think? If I buy the laptop, will I be able to install Windows 7 and have the machine fully functional?

    Thanks!
     
    lars19, Jul 9, 2013
    #1
  2. stanl3y

    stanl3y Notebook Guru

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    Yes you can, I have the S46CM that came with Windows 8.

    But now I have a dual-boot Windows 7 and 8 installed on it.
     
    stanl3y, Jul 9, 2013
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  3. lars19

    lars19 Newbie

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    Thanks for your tips, stanly. Ok, I will get the computer and give it a try. Wish me luck, I think I'm going to need it for this project haha! ;)
     
    lars19, Jul 10, 2013
    #3
  4. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    You could try with a service pack version or with the drivers needed burned to a CD.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 10, 2013
    #4