Problem Changing From Windows 10 Back To 7

[Carakeel]

Hi all. I hope you are all having a good start to the new year. I have a Dell Optiplex 755, which I recently got second hand with Windows 7. I successfully upgraded to Windows 10, but this seemed to slow things down a lot. So I wanted to go back to Windows 7 and found the instructions to do so online. I followed the instructions and now, after a screen telling me this may take a while, I am left with a black screen. The only thing visible is my mouse pointer. I have been waiting for about 3 hrs for something to happen. Any suggestions on how I can fix this please? Many thanks in advance.

[pinkyboyid]

If you still have a black screen what happens if you press the Ctrl Alt and Del keys combination simultaneously ?

[Carakeel]

Nothing, sadly, pinky. If I had a windows 7 or 10 disk, I could have tried seeing if one of those would work. But, I don't. Windows 7 was a lot faster at loading programme and Windows 10 did give me the option to go back to 7 if 10 slowed my computer down. But something seems to have gone wrong in the process. Gutted!

[ubasses]

As you appear to have nothing to lose at the moment have you tried switching off by holding the button down. then switching back on to see what happens.

[pinkyboyid]

If you need a Windows 10 Disk you can download and create a bootable installation DVD or USB device from:-

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

also some Win 10 recovery options:-

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-10/windows-10-recovery-options

[Carakeel]

Yes, u basses, I tried turning my computer off, left it for 10 min, then turned it back on again. Thanks though.

[Carakeel]

Thanks, pinky! You're a star! As soon as Ratter15 gets home, I'll get him to do that for me. Sounds like a good idea. Thanks xxx

[Carakeel]

We tried your suggestion, pinky. But, sadly this too didn't work. I have no idea what else I can do.

[pinkyboyid]

Try starting the computer and as it powers up continually keep pressing the F8 key in quick succession to see if it will startup and display an options menu with 'Safe mode' included.

If it responds then Windows 7 is most likely running. Else, if no response it could be that Windows 10 is still the main system.

Do you get anything displayed on screen using the F8 key as suggested?

[galeck1947]

Shut your computer down using the start button on your computer case and restart it again and see if this fixes it .

[galeck1947]

One important thing I forgot was to backup your whole computer with an image backup to a external backup drive.

[Carakeel]

So, atm only the mouse curser is showing on a black screen. I did get to the safe mode screen (via F12 on this computer) but it just loaded up in the same manner - black screen and white curser. I shut the computer down and restarted it using the start button, but nothing seems to help. I have temporarily hooked my monitor, keyboard and mouse up to my laptop. Need to find some way of getting my desktop running again soon though. Thank you all for your suggestions.

[pinkyboyid]

Did you manage to download and create a Windows 10 installation Disk or USB device and if so were you able use either of those media to bootup to the Windows 10 installation screen?

Also, pressing F12 during the computer startup, as you have indicated, usually displays an options screen to select a a device to boot from, which is NOT the same as the Safe Mode options screen. If rapid pressing of the F8 key is not displaying a Safe Mode menu, then it may indicate that Windows 10 is still attempting to startup your system, hence my previous question re: do you now have a working Windows 10 Installation Disk or USB device?

is it a DELL computer that you are having this problem with?

Another thing to check before booting is that you have no USB device plugged in and no disks in the CD/DVD drive to ensure your system is not attempting to boot from one of those devices.

[Carakeel]

Hi pinky. ratter didn't create the windows 10 disk, as when he went to do it it came up saying that this would make changes to his computer. I am going to try to download it onto my 2 GB stick and see if I can try getting this computer running with that. The only things I have plugged into my USBs at the moment are my mouse and keyboard. I have unplugged my hard drive. I'll let you know how I get on. I really appreciate your help. x

[CrapAtCryptics]

You need a bigger stick than that - you can get an 8gb for about a fiver if you shop around. Do a custom install for 10 and pick you way through every page to get what you want. if you get it right its much quicker.

[Carakeel]

Hi pinky, the problem I was having has been sorted. The company I bought my computer from recently were brilliant! they told me that I had not done anything wrong, but that this problem is not unknown with Windows 10. They asked me to send MY HD back and that they would send me a new one with Windows 7 on it. Apparently they themselves prefer Windows 7. I received the HD the very next day and am up and running again, a very happy bunny! Thanks to everyone on this thread for their help though.