New pre-built computer without operating system...

Jamie_88 · Jul 7, 2016

Hello,

First post so please be gentle...

I've recently ordered a new gaming rig from Overclockers UK but opted out for an operating system. They were charging £89.99 for Windows 10 pre-installed.

My plan was to buy a copy of windows 7/8 and upgrade to 10 for free as Microsofts latest offer.

When the system arrives will it simply be a case of installing windows 7/8 after an initial prompt? I haven't ordered a disc tray...

Please advise.

Jamie.

weberdarren97 · Jul 7, 2016

You can get Win 7 on a USB, no need for an ODD. You will have to have an internet connection to activate Win 7 before you can activate it. You will likely need to get motherboard drivers before you can get 7 to connect to the internet. It needs to be activated before you an upgrade to 10.

After 10 has proved to be stable for three weeks and you're happy with it, please run Disk Cleanup as Admin and select Previous Windows Installation(s) to erase 7 from memory and free up disk space.

Suztera · Jul 7, 2016

If you have ordered a prebuilt without any OS, the most you can boot up would be the motherboard's BIOS.

All Microsoft's Windows are priced the same or near about. It would be simpler to just get Window 10. If you do get a Window 7 /8.1, you can simply input the product key into Window 10 and it should accept it from build version 1511 and above.
You can get the latest installation media for windows 10 from Microsoft's own website. :
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

weberdarren97 · Jul 7, 2016

Oh yeah, I forgot it would take a 7 key... Apparently I'm dumb.

Looks like I've started confusion...

Here's my revised response:

You can get Windows 10 on a USB stick bundled with a product code. You can also just download Windows 10 onto a USB stick using the Media Creation Tool, but you'll still have to buy a license/activation code.

If you install 10 as the first and only OS, you won't have to worry about the Disk Cleanup statement from above.

cdrkf · Jul 7, 2016

Jamie_88 :

Uh Windows is usually supplied on disk (to install you simply set the machine to boot from the optical drive, put the disk in and start up- then the installation starts).

You can probably transfer it to a USB key although they can be tricky to make bootable...

Jamie_88 · Jul 7, 2016

Thank you for your quick responses.

I will likely buy a windows 10 key and use the windows media creation tool to install to a clean USB.

I am assuming from the motherboards BIOS I will be prompted to install an operating system? If this is the case will I be able to direct to USB drive and install from that location?

Second question is how will I activate without an internet connection. I have ordered a wi-fi dongle and have wi-fi in my property but assuming this cannot be set up until windows is installed?

Please advise.

Regards,

Jamie.

cdrkf · Jul 7, 2016

weberdarren97 :

Ah, I remember attempting to install an OS from a USB key many years ago (and found that not all hardware at the time supported the feature) so I've avoided it since then. Sounds like they've made it much simpler since then

That said, I still like to have an optical drive in a desktop machine, if nothing else it means you can play DVD / BluRay disks (I usually connect my rigs up to my TV as a secondary screen). Given the price of them I'm surprised people don't just include one as standard?

maf1017 · Jul 7, 2016

cdrkf :

weberdarren97 :

Ah, I remember attempting to install an OS from a USB key many years ago (and found that not all hardware at the time supported the feature) so I've avoided it since then. Sounds like they've made it much simpler since then

That said, I still like to have an optical drive in a desktop machine, if nothing else it means you can play DVD / BluRay disks (I usually connect my rigs up to my TV as a secondary screen). Given the price of them I'm surprised people don't just include one as standard?

I recently purchased a new PC. I went the USB route as my case (H440) didn't have an optical drive bay, so I was pretty limited. It was really easy to install the OS though and I am clueless with computers mostly.

maf1017 · Jul 7, 2016

cdrkf :

weberdarren97 :

Ah, I remember attempting to install an OS from a USB key many years ago (and found that not all hardware at the time supported the feature) so I've avoided it since then. Sounds like they've made it much simpler since then

That said, I still like to have an optical drive in a desktop machine, if nothing else it means you can play DVD / BluRay disks (I usually connect my rigs up to my TV as a secondary screen). Given the price of them I'm surprised people don't just include one as standard?

I recently purchased a new PC. I went the USB route as my case (H440) didn't have an optical drive bay, so I was pretty limited. It was really easy to install the OS though and I am clueless with computers mostly.

weberdarren97 · Jul 7, 2016

cdrkf :

weberdarren97 :

Ah, I remember attempting to install an OS from a USB key many years ago (and found that not all hardware at the time supported the feature) so I've avoided it since then. Sounds like they've made it much simpler since then

That said, I still like to have an optical drive in a desktop machine, if nothing else it means you can play DVD / BluRay disks (I usually connect my rigs up to my TV as a secondary screen). Given the price of them I'm surprised people don't just include one as standard?

Likely because services like Netflix are much more popular with the newer generation than movies on disks are. I haven't had a use for my ODD in probably three years. I don't even know if it still works, Lol.

Suztera · Jul 7, 2016

Jamie_88 :

No. You will have to manually boot to the disc/ usb containing the installation media via the bios or boot menu. Then you would follow the onscreen instructions to install windows. There are plenty of guides online if you are unsure or if you want to familiarize with the process.

You would then need to install motherboard's drivers, you can install your motherboard's drivers disc that comes with your motherboard. That can get you started, to get the latest, you would have to download them from the manufacturer's website. If you have a wifi dongle you want to use then you will probably need to install the drivers for it. There will be a disc that comes with it.

weberdarren97 · Jul 7, 2016

maf1017 :

cdrkf :

I recently purchased a new PC. I went the USB route as my case (H440) didn't have an optical drive bay, so I was pretty limited. It was really easy to install the OS though and I am clueless with computers mostly.

Double posting is considered spam. Moderators on Tom's do not tolerate spam.

Just a friendly head up

cdrkf · Jul 7, 2016

weberdarren97 :

The system can be slow to respond sometimes- that results in posts getting duplicated... I doubt this was intentional.

Btw in response to your other bit- I use Amazon Prime for vids and Spotify for music, although I still like to get a physical disk for vids and music if it's something I really like. Guess I'm out of date, just once you actually have something like that, it's yours. All this cloud based stuff is great- but the catalogues get changed on the fly. There are series that used to be on Amazon that have been removed in my area, I'm not sure why but there's no comeback, no notification, they're just gone. This is also something that makes me slightly uneasy about all this DRM, online only based stuff for games and other content. The content creators want to maintain the rights to stop you accessing something you paid for as / when it suits them.

maf1017 · Jul 7, 2016

I'm at work and the internet is very slow, so I apologise but it wasn't intentional.

I got a USB with Windows already installed on it from Amazon and honestly, it was so easy to install the OS. A optical drive would be easier for all of the drivers etc but you can easily download those online.

weberdarren97 · Jul 7, 2016

Jamie_88 :

1: You will need to set BIOS so that HDD is the first boot option and USB is the second. This will cause it to boot to USB installation for initial setup before it is installed to the hard drive. After it installs to the hard drive, since it has a higher boot priority, BIOS will boot to the hard drive to complete installation. I know this sounds confusing to not have USB first, but if you have it first then when Windows goes to restart to the hard drive to finish install, the BIOS will boot to the USB again and start the process all over again (we don't want that, do we).

2: There is an option in Windows 10 setup/install to skip the screen where it asks for a product key. Windows 10 will apply a generic driver to USB and WiFi until you install the proper driver. This means that WiFi will work but it'll be slower than it would be if it had manufacturer drivers. Once 10 is fully installed, press Win+i to open Settings and navigate to Update and Security, then go to the Activation tab and follow the on screen prompts to activate. Once activated, restart, then go to settings again, navigate to update, and continue checking for and installing updates until it doesn't find any more. It will likely install all manufacturer drivers through Windows Update, negating the need to use a disk.

When booting to USB, use a USB 2.0 port. USB 3.0/3.1 is not usually incorporated into BIOS.

Jamie_88 · Jul 7, 2016

weberdarren97 :

Jamie_88 :

1: You will need to set BIOS so that HDD is the first boot option and USB is the second. This will cause it to boot to USB installation for initial setup before it is installed to the hard drive. After it installs to the hard drive, since it has a higher boot priority, BIOS will boot to the hard drive to complete installation. I know this sounds confusing to not have USB first, but if you have it first then when Windows goes to restart to the hard drive to finish install, the BIOS will boot to the USB again and start the process all over again (we don't want that, do we).

2: There is an option in Windows 10 setup/install to skip the screen where it asks for a product key. Windows 10 will apply a generic driver to USB and WiFi until you install the proper driver. This means that WiFi will work but it'll be slower than it would be if it had manufacturer drivers. Once 10 is fully installed, press Win+i to open Settings and navigate to Update and Security, then go to the Activation tab and follow the on screen prompts to activate. Once activated, restart, then go to settings again, navigate to update, and continue checking for and installing updates until it doesn't find any more. It will likely install all manufacturer drivers through Windows Update, negating the need to use a disk.

When booting to USB, use a USB 2.0 port. USB 3.0/3.1 is not usually incorporated into BIOS.

This resolves all queries, many thanks for your input.

weberdarren97 · Jul 7, 2016

No problem

New pre-built computer without operating system...

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