Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows 10 and 11 => Topic started by: armymedicmom on January 17, 2018, 03:28:56 PM

Title: Reformat
Post by: armymedicmom on January 17, 2018, 03:28:56 PM
I have a Dell 17" Laptop with windows 10. It's about 2 years old. I only use this in my classes and do not go online with it except to transfer files over my network. It constantly updates during my class. I've tried turning off all the updates and it still interrupts my classes. I'd like to reformat it and install windows 7. Can this be done? Will I have any trouble with drivers?

This is frustrating and I don't want to deal with it any more.

Thanks so much for any info you can provide me.
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: DaveLembke on January 17, 2018, 03:33:51 PM
What is the exact model # of this laptop to see if drivers are available for 7?  ( Note: Dells website has where you can enter the model and serial number for your computer and it will have a list of drivers etc in the support section )

Do you have a legally obtained edition of 7 to install on this computer if you were to go this route?

Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: patio on January 17, 2018, 03:43:13 PM
Just wondering how Win 10 updates are turned off...it's a convoluted move to do it proper...
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: Mark. on January 18, 2018, 02:50:26 AM
convoluted...???
I'd go as fare as saying nigh on impossible to turn off.
you can come close, but eventual it'll be turned back on again.
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: armymedicmom on January 18, 2018, 08:51:38 AM
My computer is a Dell Inspiron 17 5000 Series;
Windows 10 Home (64 bit);
AMD A8-7410 Quad-Core APU
Radeon TM R5 Graphics

I do have a legal 7 to install.

As for turning off updates, out of frustration, I went to numerous sites for help. There were a lot of different areas that I turned off, even checking that I was metered. No good. It still updates. It actually happened again yesterday in my class. I was busy teaching and when I turned around, the update message was on my screen. Luckily I was able to click on remind me later, or my class would have ended right there. It happened another time during class without warning. I had a backup computer in the car and had to get that to continue class. I do special events, and if it were to happen at one of those, I'd be up a creek. Just don't want to deal with this anymore.

My main concern is will the graphics/video card and drivers work with windows 7.

Thanks for all your replies.
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: patio on January 18, 2018, 09:13:47 AM
Easiest way to check with Dell's is go to their site and enter your Service Tag # from the laptop...
It will list all drivers available for that PC.
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: armymedicmom on January 18, 2018, 09:42:04 AM
Here's everything that's listed under my service tag:
210-AEHT : Inspiron 17 5000 Series
619-AHCQ : Windows 10 Home (64bit) Englis h
429-AAJV : Tray load DVD Drive (Reads and Writes to DVD/CD)
555-BBXM : Dell Wireless 1708 Card (802.1 1BGN + Bluetooth 4.0)
450-ABLO : Power Cord, US/CAN
340-AGUD : Safety/Environment and Regulat ory Guide (English/French)
451-BBMG : 40 WHr, 4-Cell Battery (remova ble)
338-BHNB : AMD A8-7410 Quad-Core APU with RadeonTM R5 Graphics
370-AANL : 8GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (4GBx2)
583-BCCZ : Standard Keyboard
400-AAZU : 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
328-BCBX : Shipping Material
320-BBST : Beijing Red, Matte Metallic IM R
389-BGRL : System Regulatory Label
450-AEHK : 45W AC Adapter, 4.5mm Barrel
340-ARWC : Placemat Documentation
391-BBZP : 17.3 inch LED Backlit Display with Truelife and HD+ resoluti on (1600 x 900)
340-AAPZ : Energy Star Compliant
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: patio on January 18, 2018, 10:21:14 AM
Clik Drivers/Support ...re-enter your Service Tag...it'll list if Win 7 drivers are available
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: armymedicmom on January 19, 2018, 02:10:36 PM
I re-entered the tag and it doesn't list anything about windows drivers. It did tell me I need to download a BIOS driver. There were optional drivers I could download but nothing about windows 7
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: patio on January 19, 2018, 03:40:16 PM
It wont be a security issue...post your service tag # so we can have a looksee...you may be missing something...
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: tagalong on January 19, 2018, 04:37:02 PM
I have a Brothers Printer J650DW, wireless to my Toshiba laptop, with Windows 10.  My problem started after moving, in that I can send a request to print and it goes into the Q, but will not print.  Says theres an error.  I have rebooted many times, and ran the trouble shooter numberous times.  If anyone answers, Im not a techy, and would appreciate it be in layman terms.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: armymedicmom on January 19, 2018, 05:30:16 PM
BLHY362
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: BC_Programmer on January 19, 2018, 05:52:57 PM
Drivers here (http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/servicetag/blhy362/drivers). The "Operating System" dropdown includes Windows 7 32 and 64-bit.

However, do you have a copy of Windows 7? Windows 10 Home Edition does not have any downgrade rights to earlier Windows versions. You cannot use the license that came with another PC or laptop either.

The Pro version of Windows 10 allows you to control Windows Update via the Group Policy Editor. Some of the tweaks you probably found are based on that, but they don't do anything on Home Edition.
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: armymedicmom on January 19, 2018, 06:40:48 PM
Does that list mean windows 7 will work with this computer? I do have a legal copy of windows 7.

I'm just worried that if it doesn't work, then I can't get windows 10 back because the laptop did not come with a disc even though it was bought brand new and pre-installed.

I wouldn't mess with this, but it is my livelihood. If I mess it up then I mess up my income; however, this updating in the middle of my classes (or beginning when I first turn it on, or end when I'm trying to shut down) is also compromising my income.

Well, this is interesting. It's updating right now as I'm typing (I'm on my desktop). This is so frustrating.
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: patio on January 19, 2018, 07:30:40 PM
Quote
I have a Brothers Printer J650DW, wireless to my Toshiba laptop, with Windows 10.  My problem started after moving, in that I can send a request to print and it goes into the Q, but will not print.  Says theres an error.  I have rebooted many times, and ran the trouble shooter numberous times.  If anyone answers, Im not a techy, and would appreciate it be in layman terms.  Thank you.

Welcome aboard...start a new Topic for your issue...
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: BC_Programmer on January 19, 2018, 07:45:36 PM
Final note in win10 updates: Windows 10 Home does provide an "Active Hours" option. I'd suggest setting your Active Hours to the time period that you use the system, which should prevent it from performing updates while you need the system for your daily tasks.

For reinstalling Windows 10, you can create installation media on a USB Flash drive or a DVD (if a DVD Burner is available) using the tool available herehere (https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10). Installing Win10 should recognize the license that is part of the computers BIOS and activate properly.

If you look around on the system you might find a utility for creating some sort of factory restore or reset, which you could use if the win7 route causes trouble to go back to the default setup.

Another thing to consider: Windows does NOT come with any applications- It is a common misconception that Windows includes Microsoft Office, for example, which often burns people who do a fresh install of a Windows version when they find it does not. If you reformat and  install Windows 7 you will lose any software the system initially came with unless you have your own copy!

You will also pretty much *need* to download the drivers on the page I linked (for Windows 7 64-bit or 32-bit depending on the version you are installing) before you install Windows 7, because it is likely you will not have any wifi or Internet access on the laptop until you install the drivers. I'd suggest putting them on a USB Flash drive- saving them to the hard disk wouldn't do any good since you are wiping everything, after all.
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: armymedicmom on January 20, 2018, 09:24:49 AM
I just recently noticed the "active Hours" option, and I set it for 8am - 10pm. However, I never turn on this computer at home. If it's never on during the "ok to update" hours, what happens? I do not want nor need updates, but will it insist on updating during my peak hours if it can't get to my off hours?

I did make a windows iso dvd. That was very helpful. Thank you. As for the drivers, I created a download list, but it said that it would automatically install once downloaded. How do I download these to a usb and not install?

I see a setting for "create a recovery drive". Is this the factory reset you were mentioning?

Except for my files and work files, there really isn't anything much on this computer. The only microsoft program I use is MS Word, and I do have the full Microsoft Office Program, but only install Word. And even if that was a problem, I can easily use Open Office Word.

Thanks to everyone for the time you are spending helping me. I really appreciate it.
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: BC_Programmer on January 20, 2018, 10:23:19 AM
Quote
I do not want nor need updates, but will it insist on updating during my peak hours if it can't get to my off hours?
I think so. ideally you should consider cracking it on outside your active hours if possible.

Alternatively, you can permanently turn off all ability to update by disabling the Windows Update service altogether. I'd suggest at least making it current (eg Updating now) before doing this though I suppose it won't make a difference.

1. Start->Run "services.msc"
2. Look for "Windows Update" in the list of services.
3. Double-click it (or right-click and select properties, same thing)
4. Set the startup Type to "Disabled" and if the service is running, Stop it.

Personally I'd recommend turning it back on once every month or two (at your convenience, which makes all the difference here heh) and installing any updates that are available at that time, just so it doesn't get too out-of-date.

Beyond that:

Ignore the "Driver List" option. It looks like it is some special feature which tries to interact with something already installed on Dell laptops/computers to auto-install.

If you use the download Icon on the right side of each item, it should download as an EXE file, which you can save separately.

I think a Recovery Drive would be what I refer to. It used to be that each manufacturer included their own tool or program for it, but it seems like it's integrated into Windows 10 now. I haven't actually built any factory restore discs for about a decade so  unfortunately my personal experience is a bit spotty, but just starting it on my PC and it looks to do what I was thinking of.

Quote
Except for my files and work files, there really isn't anything much on this computer. The only microsoft program I use is MS Word, and I do have the full Microsoft Office Program, but only install Word. And even if that was a problem, I can easily use Open Office Word.
OK. Always good to make sure so the person in question isn't surprised by missing files or programs. Too often after I do a full reformat for somebody after asking "Are you sure, you'll lose all the files you have there and any programs you installed!" several times until they were annoyed by it, they'll turn around afterwards and ask something like "oh, where are the 20 years worth of digital photographs that I've never made backups of?" or "How come you deleted Super ExpensiveWorks Pro Deluxe Edition?" To the point where I end up making a disk image of their computer and keeping it on my computer until I'm sure they aren't going to ask such questions!
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: armymedicmom on January 20, 2018, 01:54:46 PM
I am now going to try downloading the drivers without putting them in a list.

I tried to create a USB Recovery disk (twice) with two different USB sticks and two different USB ports. Both times I got an error, and they don't mention what the error was. One USB was 16gb and the other was 32gb. Of course I then had to reformat both because they were wiped clean. I just LOVE Windows 10!

Maybe I'll try disabling Update like you mentioned before going through all this other trouble. If it works great. The last update (I assume) has disabled my Bluetooth mouse. It no longer recognizes it. Everything for bluetooth is turned on (it still works with my speakers). I thought maybe my mouse just kicked the bucket so I bought a new one. Nope. So the possibility of turning on updates once a month is another scary thought.

Thanks again!
Title: Re: Reformat
Post by: armymedicmom on January 20, 2018, 08:52:40 PM
I downloaded the drivers.

I thought your suggestion of disabling updates using "services.msc" sounded familiar. I had done that once before, and somehow windows still updated and turned that feature back on. I turned it off again and see how long it lasts. That'll be interesting.

For what it's worth, I did some checking around as to why I couldn't created a recovery usb disc, and apparently many others have the same problem. I did come across one tidbit. If you hit the start button, and type windows 7, you get backup and restore, and then have the option of creating a system repair disc for win10 64-bit.