Installing Windows 8 on New HDD from Old One

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Apr 7, 2014
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Hi all,
In this thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3041620/recovering-data-faulty-hdd.html I talked about the problem I had with my sister's computer that fell and had a hard drive problem.
I was able to retrieve all the data from it in the end through connecting it to my Windows 7 computer, but now I'm wondering how I'm going to set up a new HDD for her computer.
The Windows 8 she had was pre-installed on the laptop, and she just did the regular configurations when she bought it.
The issue is that she never made a recovery CD or drive, so I'm not really sure how to proceed. I have little knowledge working with Windows 8 and I haven't even been able to boot from a CD on her laptop due to the difficulties I have had with UEFI.
I've followed some instructions, but can't seem to find a way to boot from a CD without accessing Windows first.

In any case, I can access the information on the HDD in my computer running Partition Magic, but I wasn't sure if using a programme like Clonezilla would work for migrating her install onto a new HDD or what is the best method to take.

I'm sorry if it's not so clear. I have to admit that some things about Windows 8 have always baffled me. :D
Thanks in advance.
 
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Okay, thanks! I went to the link, but I had a few questions about doing it. For one, is there a way, from looking at the data from another computer, that I can check whether she was running Windows 8 or 8.1? I'm not sure if it makes a difference. I believe that the computer came with Windows 8, but she may have updated it to 8.1 with Windows Update.
Also, can I check the language and edition of Windows without being able to boot the computer and just through accessing it as another internal HDD on mine (I have no idea whether it's English (US) or English (UK) or what)?
I suppose I can figure out whether it's 64-bit or 32-bit by checking if it has the "Program Files (x86)" folder.

Finally, is the download pausable? My internet connection averages about 100 MB per hour and due to having crappy electricity, there is little way I will succeed in downloading this at home if it's not pausable.
If it's not, then I'll have to look for someone else who can download it for me.

Thanks again!
 
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basroil

basroil

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Oct 19, 2013
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It's pretty hard to figure out the language from the leftover files, but check the windows folder for en-US and en-UK folders in the base and places like ehome. If you have both, you'll have to check technet.

For 32bit vs 64bit, don't bother putting 32bit back, just move forward with 64bit.

And while you can't pause it manually, if you put the computer to sleep or otherwise turn off the internet it will resume
 
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Good news. I was able to boot Windows 8 from the hard drive. I checked the version and the one that's being run on the laptop is Windows 8.1 64-bit Single Language. The language currently is English (UK).
When I started downloading the file, I inputted: Windows 8.1 64-bit (not the Single Language), and chose English (US).
Does it make a difference? Should I start the download again with the same version I was running or should it work either way?
 
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basroil

basroil

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Oct 19, 2013
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I would recommend using the same version to avoid license issues. You can add en-US after installing
 
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