"This version of windows is not compatible with your computers hardware" 64-Bit question: How can it not be?!

Question

so i decided to install windows 8 alongside with windows 7. it installed fine but upon starting 8 for the first time it gave the error:

 

"This version of windows is not compatible with your computers hardware"

The first time i installed windows 8 (raw install..wiped hard drive) it worked with no problems. Now its saying 64 bit won't work anymore?

Answer 1

It is recommended to install Windows 8 as a clean install or in a VHD file. Maybe there is a conflict in some way with Windows 7 instalaltion.

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Marin

Answer 2

It is recommended to install Windows 8 as a clean install or in a VHD file. Maybe there is a conflict in some way with Windows 7 instalaltion.

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Marin

Possibly. If i try the 32 bit might it work? 

Answer 3

I guess that you will get the same result. I installed WIndows 8 Client and Server in Hyper-V virtual machine and it works fine. Also, I had problems with VMware so I skiped it. You can try to install in VirtualBox.

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Marin

Answer 4

It is recommended to install Windows 8 as a clean install or in a VHD file. Maybe there is a conflict in some way with Windows 7 instalaltion.

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Marin

Possibly. If i try the 32 bit might it work? 

If you have a processor that supports 64 bits, It should work, so if it's so, try by doing a clean installation of Win 8 x64 again and see if you get the error message. 

Answer 5

I guess that you will get the same result. I installed WIndows 8 Client and Server in Hyper-V virtual machine and it works fine. Also, I had problems with VMware so I skiped it. You can try to install in VirtualBox.

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Marin

When i tried it in Virtual box it gave me a critical error. Could it be that im trying to install it from a USB? Or would that not affect it? When i did install it for the first time i ran the setup within windows 7

Answer 6

When i tried it in Virtual box it gave me a critical error. Could it be that im trying to install it from a USB? Or would that not affect it? When i did install it for the first time i ran the setup within windows 7

Well, some people did have issues with Virtualbox but it seems that they where solved by changing disk type in VM settings. If you have ISO file on USB stick it should not be a problem to isntall it in virtualized environment.

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Marin

Answer 7

Hmm...ok. Had a problem with the graphics driver in windows 8. had to reset to factory default because windows updated the card using a beta driver. I just wanted to be able to have windows 7 and 8 on one hard drive....is there a way to configure an external hard drive so i can install it on there?

Answer 8

Hmm...ok. Had a problem with the graphics driver in windows 8. had to reset to factory default because windows updated the card using a beta driver. I just wanted to be able to have windows 7 and 8 on one hard drive....is there a way to configure an external hard drive so i can install it on there?

Then solution you should use is to install Windows 8 in VHD file. http://www.hanselman.com/blog/GuideToInstallingAndBootingWindows8DeveloperPreviewOffAVHDVirtualHardDisk.aspx

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Marin

Answer 9

Hmm...ok. Had a problem with the graphics driver in windows 8. had to reset to factory default because windows updated the card using a beta driver. I just wanted to be able to have windows 7 and 8 on one hard drive....is there a way to configure an external hard drive so i can install it on there?

Then solution you should use is to install Windows 8 in VHD file. http://www.hanselman.com/blog/GuideToInstallingAndBootingWindows8DeveloperPreviewOffAVHDVirtualHardDisk.aspx

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Marin

will try that now. Tried mounting it in the past and it corrupted the VHD. Thats when my usb came out though. so im going to try again and see what happens

Answer 10

Should i try it in virtual first or just go straight to installing it from boot? I want to make sure it works

Answer 11

Should i try it in virtual first or just go straight to installing it from boot? I want to make sure it works

I would try with virtual first.

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Marin

Answer 12

I got that error as well when I tried to set up a dual boot. I just formatted the Windows 8 partition and installed again, didn't have any problems the second time.

Answer 13

Well it works! What i found wrong what i did the first time was make a partition within the windows 8 setup. If you create a partition within the installer it will not work. It will bug out.

 

Running it now and its working well.

Answer 14

I'm glad you have managed to get it to work.

Enjoy =D

Answer 15

This solve it for me.  Thanks!