Doing a clean install of Windows 8 on a new or used PC

First off it sounds like your trying to open a business. If your trying to open a business, then there is more then just making PCs and adding OSes, as there are drivers, updates, Antivirus, and so much more included, but you seem totally 'NEW' to any of this. I would then tell you that makes you LIABLE, this means someone can sue you for more money then they paid because as a business you are providing contract on your services and products. If the customer doesn't agree with it they can sue you or worse file a complaint that would in turn cause the LAW (operating a business without a business license) that includes not only the seizure (the removal) of all your 'computer parts and software', fine you, arrest and jail you (failure to pay taxes, committing fraud) and then seize personal assets (your bank account, your home, your TV, etc.) to pay for the costs to your 'customers' the lawyers, etc.

I would recommend based on all this you should take a step back and consider doing this the right way, which would first include you get TRAINED. You can't post to some anonymous forum and expect some strangers 'on the Internet' to provide you all the solution necessary for a simple computer build. Secondly you couldn't blame the 'Internet' for your mistakes, you are liable, and thus should proceed to get a business license, as well as get some assistance from the Small Business Association on how to setup your business, the legal parts and especially TAXATION.

Oh if you think the 'taxman' won't come after you then think again, even these kids got slammed http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/24/tried-to-open-lemonade-stand/

>> EDIT: You were posting multiple posts while I composed this so slashing out some content...
Well that is funny because your asking about "a new PC for a customer" and "new PCs which one intends to sell". [strike]THAT IS A BUSINESS. Even if your non-profit (you don't make a profit from the sale) you need a license and register as a non-profit, or else you (as a adult) go to Jail.[/strike] By the way the 'profit' limit for taxation is if you make over $400, which for computers is potentially the first sale depending on how much you charge for the computer.

Now considering anyone can go to Walmart and grab a laptop or a desktop for $249 this minute, with a long warranty from a name brand company (Gateway, Emachine, Dell, etc.) what exactly does your hand building a machine for customers get them better? [strike]Further as you aren't buying in mass bulk (1000 video cards, 1000 copies of Windows, 1000 Hard Drives, etc.) to get a significant discount per item, you will be charging full price, which honestly will cost your "'customers' who aren't buying from a business" (yeah right shadyshady here) will be paying alot more for the 'same computer as Walmart has' as they see it. [/strike]Buying individual parts in single purchases at a time is higher cost to you, and thus just to 'break even' you would have to charge that same cost to them, without making any 'money' off the deal.

As for the software, as Bill Gates said to IBM when they showed him the first Personal Computer, without software it is just a box blinking lights, so what? Yes when they build computers they include the software, which today is standardly a LEGAL copy of Windows licensed to that single PC, all drivers to make the hardware function properly, Antivirus and antiMalware to protect the system, then usually Microsoft Office Suite (another cost), Adobe Reader, Java, Flash, etc. all up to date and patched up before selling.

So to basically answer your questions, yes there is multiple ways to install OSes, normally you don't buy 1 copy of Windows then install and NO you cant stick the sticker on the side of the case for that 1 computer to be sold. In medium to large business (so they buy in bulk and can drop their 'cost' to make a computer down) they make a master image that has all the software, etc. setup and image thousands of systems at a time with the base image. They first take a few test systems to Quality Assurance against them that they work, but normally there isn't a need to 'test' a computer if your installing all the manufacturer's drivers, etc. they are making sure that the stuff doesn't interfere with each other (sound driver screws up the HDMI out sound for the Video). They tweak and update it and master image it, all this is highly technical and you need to have at least a basics of computers, software, and hardware to even grasp the concepts.

[strike]For yourself, as you can see individually you be doing alot of 'manhours' and you really don't even know the 'basics'. A forum nor the 'Internet' can teach you all that[/strike], I would suggest the standard CompTIA A+ Certification books to help teach you all the ins and out basics,[strike] then it comes from 'hands on', which would be not only your own computer or family, but as well get a low paying job at Best Buy or such doing the 'basics' with your Certification in hand.

Here is a quick one you would have to know off the top of your head, Why can't you install Windows XP on a Advanced Formatted drive (the common sold HDD now sold?) without 'looking it up'? If you don't know that answer and the technical reason behind it, then you wouldn't be able to immediate 'resolve' why you can't image the brand new drives you just installed, for example. [/strike]

>>EDIT<< Your latest posts have drastically changed the content and direction (now your talking about your 4 year old computer and updating it which is a different subject entirely). I would suggest at this point you might want to take a step back and actually address what it is your trying to do. Your post here is a BUSINESS question as your implying your starting a business. If you want to do things for your Sis/Your PC then ask specifically what it is your trying to do, and we can apply ourselves to discussing that issue. I would honestly suggest closing this thread and start over.