Fresh Install Win 8.1 Pro Question

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lewiedude

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Dec 16, 2010
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I recently upgraded my Win 7 Pro to Win 8 Pro and then Win 8.1 Pro. Win 7 Pro was a complete copy. The others were upgrades. Well, in doing so - or not - my D:\ drive is sending a popup warning to me telling me that the drive is damaged and needs to be replaced. No fix is possible as there isn't a formal error code or anything like that. Unfortunately, the System Reserved partition of 100MB is on that drive, not my C:\ drive. This must have happened when my original C:\ drive crashed and I replaced it and then installed Win 7 Pro again. Why I did it that way, I don't know.

My question is this: Do I need to start all over again from Win 7 Pro as the fresh install? Or, is there some form of media, USB or something, that I am able to create that will allow me to perhaps start at Win 8 Pro and upgrade through the App Store from there? I have a DVD of Win 7 Pro and just a key for Win 8 Pro.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.
 
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Windows 8 is pretty good at finding drivers. Usually I just let Windows grab all that it can. I then go into device manager and see if there are any devices that still need drivers and download them. It's usually better to go to the manufacturer's website for drivers rather than the install disc. You'll often find newer versions online than those that shipped with the MB disc. It's unlikely to matter, but can from time to time (my MB had a additional NEC USB3 controller which ran like a dog until I downloaded updated drivers from the Gigabyte website).
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rhysiam

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You need to use this page: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

It's the official Microsoft method, allows you to enter your product key and download an ISO which you can then burn to a DVD or USB drive. If your key is for Win 8 (not Win8.1) you'll need to get Win8 first and then update to 8.1 in the Microsoft Store later (for free).

If you want to install with a USB drive, download the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool here: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool
I know it says Win 7 and "download tool" - but it'll allow you to take the Win8 ISO you downloaded above and create a bootable USB key to install Win8 from.
 
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lewiedude

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Thank you! Am I able to choose either? Because, if I look at the first link, I am able to DL Win 8 to use the Win 8 product key. And, I am able to do the same thing with the Win 7 download tool? Am I required to use a bootable USB and then this would require the Win 7 download tool??
 
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rhysiam

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Maybe I wasn't clear,
1) follow above steps to get a win 8 iso
2) use the Win 7 download tool just to burn that ISO to a USB key or DVD. It's a bit confusing, because you don't need to download win 7, despite the name download tool's name... Just use it because it's a simple and free tool to create a microsoft bootable USB.

If you'd rather use a DVD and have other software you're more comfortable with to burn the ISO to a DVD then you can just use that.

Hope that makes sense?
 
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lewiedude

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It is. However, I just made a USB media stick of Win 8 Pro. That should work as I had to input my Win 8 product key. Right? I need to unplug the D:\ drive and turn the computer on and then change the boot order...here goes!
 
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rhysiam

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I assume you've gone already, but yep, you're on the right track and good luck.

FYI - there's usually a key on boot you choose to select a boot device (for the current boot only), it's often F12 or F2... you'll have a USB option there and that saves you going into the BIOS or unplugging devices.

Anyway, good luck.
 
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lewiedude

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THANKS A TON!

It did and does make sense. The only hiccup was when it told me to remove the D: drive! Since that was the name of my corrupt drive that I have since removed, I was a tad confused. I figured it out.

Here is an installation question, do I still have to put all of my drivers and stuff on the system? Like my Gigabyte MB software and my LED panel optimizer? Or, does MS now get that stuff during the install process? I have the discs for the MB and stuff....
 
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rhysiam

Splendid
Mar 24, 2013
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26,990
Windows 8 is pretty good at finding drivers. Usually I just let Windows grab all that it can. I then go into device manager and see if there are any devices that still need drivers and download them. It's usually better to go to the manufacturer's website for drivers rather than the install disc. You'll often find newer versions online than those that shipped with the MB disc. It's unlikely to matter, but can from time to time (my MB had a additional NEC USB3 controller which ran like a dog until I downloaded updated drivers from the Gigabyte website).
 
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lewiedude

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I should have followed up on this...

After spending 5 hours from start to finish on re-installing Win8 Pro, I have finally achieved success. I only have one new problem, and will search the forum for the answer. It deals with my new replacement HDD. Thank you so much for the cyber hand-holding and I am ecstatic that my SDD is the sole drive(save for this new HDD issue) and my start up time is something like 4 seconds from Post Screen to Win8!
 
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