How stupid am I?

[Tinkerpuss]

My curiosity got the better of me today and I installed the Windows 8 Consumer preview evaluation copy. I assumed it was just a trial I could have a look at, then simply uninstall it and go back to my Win7 Home premium.
I have now found that this is not the case and although I have a Win7 installation disc, I did this on my Acer Notebook which does not have a DVD drive.
There seems to be no system restore option. I am on a wireless homegroup with my main PC but this is 4 years old and runs in 32 bit and my notebook in 64 bit
Any forum posts I have read say to format the hard drive and reinstall the old system. is there any way I can restore my notebook to its former state without having to buy an external DVD drive? I am feeling stupid now and although I can do most things I could do before, it is basically a nuisance I could do without.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Buenchico]

No guarantees . . .
http://pureinfotech.c...ndows-7-step-by-step/

[shooty]

you should be able to restore to an earlier date by following the procedure below in win 7. don't know if this applies now with win 8. but have a look.
start/all programs/accessories/system tools/system restore

[Tinkerpuss]

Thanks folks but no joy. My Windows 7 seems to have been overwritten and system restore does not seem to be an option with Windows 8. I am annoyed that there was no warning that this was not just a trial and presumably once the finished product is ready, I will be pressured into paying for the new system - I don't even have a touch screen device!

[Buenchico]

Having re-read your question (and read through my link more thoroughly) I'm guessing that it's the absence of a DVD drive which is causing the problem. This tells you how to install Windows 7 (or 8) onto a netbook via a USB drive (using the Windows 7 USB/DVD Tool):
http://liliputing.com...-usb-flash-drive.html
I'm wondering whether that will also offer you the 'Repair' option required in my original link?

[Tinkerpuss]

Thanks Buenchino, I will try this out when I can get out to buy a flash drive. This certainly seems the cheapest option.! have certainly learned my lesson - curiosity killed the cat!

[Tinkerpuss]

I'm clutching at straws here - my notebook is in my wireless homegroup. Could I re-install Windows 7 via remote desktop assistance? This Windows 8 is doing my head in!!