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How do i make a clean install of Windows 8 on a new SSD?

I bought a new Kingston V300 120GB SSD harddisk and want to install a fresh copy of Windows 8 in my laptop Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E530c which has a key in BIOS for Windows 8 64 bit. I copied the Windows 8 from another pc (64 bit) onto a USB.

When i boot from USB the Windows installation stops after pressing 'Reset PC' and gives med this error:
unable to reset your pc a required drive partition is missing

Does this error refer to the SSD or the USB?

Since the BIOS has UEFI, i have tried different versions of boot ('Secure Boot' etc) - no luck.

I have tried formatting and partitioning the SSD as 'gpt' - no luck.

Do these instructions have anything to do with my problem? Do i need to re-parttion the USB even though the Windows 8 Recovery USB was done by Windows itself? http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh825686.aspx

Can i boot directly from a file on USB as explained here or have i misunderstood this? http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn293283.aspx

Its all very unclear - after googling the above error it seems like im not the only one with this problem. I would really appreciate help from someone who has actually managed to do a clean install of Windows 8 on a SSD harddisk (or do this problem also occur when installing on old type harddisks)..
7 answers Last reply Best Answer
More about make clean install windows ssd
  1. My understanding of 'Clean Install' would be from Installation Media to match the Product Key embedded in your BIOS, which would be a so-called OEM 'White Box' version as installed by Lenovo. As this can only be obtained in the form of Recovery disks from Lenovo themselves, what you are trying to achieve is difficult. There are no downloads of such a version available. If your Lenovo has a Recovery Partition you could create a Recovery drive to include that partition, and restore the OS to your SSD. Best to remove all partitions from your SSD and install to Unallocated Space, the installation will then create all necessary partitions inc. System Reserved (350Mb).
  2. Thanks for responding.
    Part of my problem is that the original HD is dead - thats why i made the Recovery USB from a different pc.

    But theres something in all this i dont understand. Before Windows 8 we would get CDs containing the all necessary files to make re-installation of Windows on a new harddisk. As far i understand re-installing Windows should still be possible - however with Win 8 from USB instead of CDs. Is this not true?

    If your explanation is correct, it is no longer possible to re-install Windows 8 without having both the USB Recovery AND the original harddisk with a Recovery Partiton? Even though i paid for Win 8 once when purchasing the laptop plus i have a working and legal key for Windows in BIOS?
  3. jrtan471 said:
    Thanks for responding.
    Part of my problem is that the original HD is dead - thats why i made the Recovery USB from a different pc.

    But theres something in all this i dont understand. Before Windows 8 we would get CDs containing the all necessary files to make re-installation of Windows on a new harddisk. As far i understand re-installing Windows should still be possible - however with Win 8 from USB instead of CDs. Is this not true?

    If your explanation is correct, it is no longer possible to re-install Windows 8 without having both the USB Recovery AND the original harddisk with a Recovery Partiton? Even though i paid for Win 8 once when purchasing the laptop plus i have a working and legal key for Windows in BIOS?

    You're usually invited by the Manufacturer to create your own Recovery Media when you buy the PC. This either involves their own Backup Software which can involve either DVDs or USB drive. If you haven't done so, then, yes, it's very difficult to re-install Windows as the Product Key is encrypted and embedded in BIOS. Lenovo themselves won't be able to retrieve your Key. I believe that it is possible to retrieve the key using keyfinder software, but, of course, you have to be running Windows to do so... There are 'Hacks' out there which can manipulate Windows 8 ISOs with generic keys in order to get Windows installed, but I've not tried them. (Haven't a rig with an embedded Key to play with!) Easiest route is to approach Lenovo for Recovery media, but expect to pay for the privilege...
  4. View this, it should help...
    http://www.hecticated.com/video/490/how-to-clean-install-windows-8-1-on-oem-machine/
    As far as I can make out it's 'Legal', merely involves d'loading an ISO and a generic key to install...
  5. You are absolutely right - i didnt create a Recovery before the hd died - i wont make that mistake again!

    But - im still a little confused:
    Had i made the Recovery on USB / DVD before the HD died, it still would not matter since i - along with Recovery USB / DVDs - ALSO need a HD with the Recovery Partition you mentioned in your first answer? Is this correct? Sorry i keep asking - i just want to fully understand what Windows 8 needs for installing..
  6. Best answer
    jrtan471 said:
    You are absolutely right - i didnt create a Recovery before the hd died - i wont make that mistake again!

    But - im still a little confused:
    Had i made the Recovery on USB / DVD before the HD died, it still would not matter since i - along with Recovery USB / DVDs - ALSO need a HD with the Recovery Partition you mentioned in your first answer? Is this correct? Sorry i keep asking - i just want to fully understand what Windows 8 needs for installing..


    When you use the Windows Recovery Drive creator on a laptop containing a Recovery Partition you check a box to copy that partition. It then sets up a complete recovery drive on a bootable USB stick which will completely restore Windows to whatever media you have on your laptop. In your case if the original drive is completely dead then you have no access to the recovery partition.
    Edit
    I guess if you used another, similar, laptop to create the Recovery drive, it might work... windows 8 is very good at adapting to new surroundings! All depends on whether or not it can use the Product key to activate...
  7. Your last answer is most likely the reason why i cant use the files created by another laptop -
    'I guess if you used another, similar, laptop to create the Recovery drive, it might work'

    Thanks for looking into the issue

    For future visitors in a similar situation / pay Lenovo a little extra:
    https://www.lenovorecovery.com/Extranet/Home.aspx
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