Upgraded from 7 pro to 8 pro. Now installing an SSD. Now very confused!

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Liamh

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Jun 4, 2013
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10,510
Hi, I've been searching/Googling this for a fair bit but haven't found a clear solution yet, so before I screw something up I thought it may be worth asking for your advice here before I get started. Here goes!


Firstly, heres what I want to do:
My current HDD configuration is:
C:\\ 250GB+250GB HDD RAID 0: Windows 8, system & program files
D:\\ 1TB HDD: User folder & general storage
F:\\ 1TB External HDD: backup/file history

I've got a Samsung 840 Pro SSD (256GB) on its way to me.

Ideally I'd like to do a clean install of windows 8 pro so that it looks like:
C:\\ 256GB SSD: Windows 8, system & program files
D:\\ 250GB+250GB HDD RAID 0: User & Work folder
E:\\ 1TB HDD: Media, more Work stuff
F:\\ 1TB External HDD: backup/file history


I upgraded my copy of Windows 7 pro to Windows 8 pro when they had that £25 upgrade offer. I'd like to do a clean install of Windows 8 onto the SSD (because windows 8 was installed directly on top of windows 7 its a bit messy) but I don't know if I'll be able to re-use my windows 8 product key, or whether or not it'll even work with an installation disc seeing as it was an upgrade offer from 7 to 8. So I guess thats my first question -

Will I be able to re-use my Windows 8 Key to install a fresh copy of Windows onto the SSD using a USB stick or installation CD?

If not.. then is cloning my current system drive onto the SSD then doing that "refresh your pc" thing in charms>settings>change pc settings>general the best option for me?

Also, can I just confirm that I can keep the Bios set to RAID and the SSD will work fine?

Finally, how can I go about changing the driver letter for the current system/boot volume so that when I install the SSD then it can have the letter C?

Thanks for your time! and I hope I haven't managed to confuse you as much as I've confused myself!
 
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dodger46

dodger46

Splendid
Nov 19, 2011
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1st here is the link for the Pro Upgrade Download
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=262204
Run the software and it will ask you for your Product Key. Download the ISO and either burn it to a DVD or set up a USB Flash drive to install on your SSD. Best have your other drives disconnected until you have installed Windows, then format the original OS drive once install completes. Not sure about RAID, but I'm certain someone out there will assist...
 
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Liamh

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Jun 4, 2013
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10,510


Thanks! got a CD burned and ready now.

Now I'm just waiting for the SSD drive...... which will never arrive because I ordered from WAE+ that I've since found out to be a massive scam and I'll be lucky if I get my money back :( i wish I saw this earlier: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/shut-down-wae-plus-for-conning-millions-of-online-shoppers
 
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Liamh

Honorable
Jun 4, 2013
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10,510
Hey, got one from amazon instead (arrived within 2 days, im still chasing a refund from fraudsters WAE+.. lesson learned)

I disconnected all other HDD's, then installed Windows 8 Pro from the DVD that the windows 8 upgrade program created after putting in my product key. Its all installed fine but Windows won't accept my Activation key. :(

Do I need to format the hardrive by booting from the DVD to allow it to activate or will it be OK if I format the drive in Windows?

Thanks again!
 
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dodger46

dodger46

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Nov 19, 2011
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To activate, with Installation disk in Optical Drive, and connection established to Internet, at Start screen type 'Refresh'. From Settings, choose 'Refresh my PC'.
Any programs you've Installed on the SSD since you installed Windows will be lost, (hopefully none) Windows will be activated once it's refreshed..

 
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Liamh

Honorable
Jun 4, 2013
4
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10,510
Cheers! That worked a treat so its all sorted now, many thanks! I hadn't installed any programs yet so nothings been lost as I'd spent all day trying to get the broken updates working so it needed refreshing/resetting anyway.

I can't see the "pick as the solution" button btw otherwise I would've given u the kudos already!

Thanks again :)
 
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dodger46

dodger46

Splendid
Nov 19, 2011
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24,960

Good to hear it worked. As you chose 'Discussion' rather than Question when you asked the Community, you won't see a 'Pick as Solution'. Don't know if you're able to change it, though.

 
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