Hello...
The computer is an HP Pavilion 500-089 with an AMD A10 CPU, Radeon graphics, MSI MS-7778 mainboard containing the AMD A75 chipset, and 8 GB of RAM. It currently has Windows 8 installed on the hard drive.
I would like to install Windows 7 (x64) on the partition where Windows 8 currently resides. I would like to do this while keeping my recovery and other partitions intact, just as it was partitioned at the factory. In other words, I wat to keep the GPT partition table it came with.
I want to be sure about the BIOS settings I would need to change to accomplish this. My take is to: 1) Disable Secure Boot in the BIOS (the UEFI firmware) under Secure Boot Configuration, 2) Enable Legacy Support
Will then I be able to start Windows 7 (64-bits) installation from the DVD, and will my GPT be recognized and uncompromised by the install?
I am aware the running Windows 7 warrants no support from HP. That is why I need to keep the GPT and all original partitions intact.
For what it's worth, I would also like to suggest HP seriously consider adding Windows 7 to their list of supported operating systems on this and other "Windows 8" computers. W7 is a tried and true OS.