Windows 8.1 Installer BSODs When Loading

[smc_Eclipse]

Hi all!

 

I'm trying to install Windows 8.1 on a modern laptop from basically 2020 (Dec. 2019.) Obviously came with Windows 10, which I hate, and I currently have Ubuntu 20.04 installed, which is good although compatibility with many of my games isn't great. 

8.1 is a long-shot with driver compatibility, and seeing as I have a 10th-gen Intel i'd need to do the Windows Update patch, I know my GPU has 8.1 drivers, which is important but here's my problem - when loading 8.1 setup from the original disc or from USB, the loading screen spins for a couple of times before throwing a KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED BSOD at me. I don't even get to the install menu.

If there's anything I've missed let me know.

 

Specs: Dell Inspiron 15 5593

CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce MX230

RAM: 16GB DDR4

 

Hardinfo didn't seem to get the BIOS version, so I'll reboot and edit the post.

hardinfo_report.txt

 

EDIT: Not used to seeing Dell BIOS versions as numbers, so 1.7.0 listed in document is correct

Edited September 18, 2020 by smc_Eclipse
BIOS Version

[Wolly9102]

It's because Intel does not support Windows 8.1 and lower on new hardware. Only Windows 10 and recent versions of Linux.

[smc_Eclipse]

I'm well aware of that - officially anyway, but it should still be able to install, just very limited driver support, and no Windows Update.

[Wolly9102]

7 minutes ago, smc_Eclipse said:

I'm well aware of that - officially anyway, but it should still be able to install, just very limited driver support, and no Windows Update.

Well you could try to run W8.1 in an VM to see if it that would help

[smc_Eclipse]

Sorry, but how does this help? I can't even get setup to the Windows Setup screen. It BSODs while at the Windows logo, so I'm missing a driver of some kind, more than likely. If I run a VM, which I just have, it loads to the setup screen just fine, but then I have made no progress on the actual hardware.

I'm almost certain it is a driver problem (likely with NVMe SSD or along similar lines) because I tried a W10 USB as well, and although it doesn't BSOD, it asks me for drivers.

 

I don't know for sure that it's a driver problem, but if it is I'm then not exactly sure what I should be looking for, which is why I made the original post