Help re-installing Win8 on SSD in new laptop

[Geish]

A friend's mother recently bought an ASUS K55A-DS71 notebook. It has a 5400 RPM HDD in it, and I told her that it would be a significant improvement to replace that HDD with a 250 GB SSD (she really doesn't need 750 GB) & that I'd do it for her. That way not only would she get better performance, but in the re-installation process, I'd avoid installing the crapware that comes with the notebook. I've done this before with Windows 7 and XP with no problem.

Apparently, the Windows 8 product key is now coded into the BIOS, but I was able to use a 3rd party app to get it. However, now I'm at a loss as to how to load this thing onto the new SSD. This model does not come with the ASUS recovery DVD creator, so I tried to use the Windows 8 system recovery disk tool (on USB flash drive), but it won't work on this SSD. I tried using a Windows 8 USB flash drive installer I already made, but it won't work either. Apparently, the product key is coded into the BIOS, and it is entered automatically when a new installation or recovery is attempted.

Anyone have any idea how I can successfully switch this OEM Windows 8 to this SSD?

 

[Geish]

:whiste:
Meanwhile, I've contacted ASUS support, and the guy said this model may not be able to use SSDs. SSDs aren't listed in the spec sheet on the ASUS page for this model. I can't get my head around the idea that a modern motherboard wouldn't be able to use and SSD. It does recognize that SSD in the BIOS SATA settings where you choose the SATA mode, but it won't show it in the boot options.

 

[corkyg]

I would clone the existing functional HDD to the SSD. I would not get involved with a "clean" installation - one person's crapware can be very useful to another. If the HDD can be removed and replaced, and if the laptop's BIOS has AHCI, it should accept a SSD.

 

[Geish]

Thanks for the reply, Corky.

This is a brand new laptop, and she told me that she does not want the pre-installed software (crapware) that comes with this computer.

Specifically, what I did was use the Windows 8 "Create a recovery drive" tool. I used a 16 GB USB flash drive to copy the recovery partition from the HDD of the laptop to the USB flash drive. I tried a system "reset" and got, "Unable to reset your PC. A required drive partition is missing."

 

[Matt1970]

First, Asus isn't that bad as far as bloatware is concerned.

Second, do you really need a SSD? I reboot my laptop maybe once a month so a SSD wouldn't help me much. When I am not using it I use the sleep function. On battery I could easily go 3 days in sleep mode without it draining. It also only takes it a few seconds to go to sleep or wake up.

 

[kbp]

Run the Win backup from HDD to a USB. (Or Clone) Then reinstall on SSD. You'll have to go in and uninstall all the "BS" that you do not want. Then remake a win-backup and save.

 

[Geish]

First, Asus isn't that bad as far as bloatware is concerned.

Second, do you really need a SSD? I reboot my laptop maybe once a month so a SSD wouldn't help me much. When I am not using it I use the sleep function. On battery I could easily go 3 days in sleep mode without it draining. It also only takes it a few seconds to go to sleep or wake up.

Matt, I'm here to get advice about how to overcome a technical hurdle, and I'm not interested in being tut-tutted about the use of SSDs and tossing out bloatware.

 

[Geish]

Run the Win backup from HDD to a USB. (Or Clone) Then reinstall on SSD. You'll have to go in and uninstall all the "BS" that you do not want. Then remake a win-backup and save.

I may end up having to do something like that, though I was hoping to do a clean install or just swap the OS to the SSD with a recovery disk. I'm going to soldier on with this for a day or so to see what I can come up with. Looks like the new activation system with Win8 makes doing this much more difficult. I've done this sort of thing numerous times with XP and 7, and it was a very simple process each time. Never had a problem.

 

[bbhaag]

Don't newer laptops with Win8 on them come with the Secure Boot "feature"? I've read it makes it really though to install a new HDD or SSD into the laptop.

EDIT:I thought I read about this recently. Give this thread a good read especially post #3 by WTFBEES and see if it helps. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2286873

 

[Matt1970]

Matt, I'm here to get advice about how to overcome a technical hurdle, and I'm not interested in being tut-tutted about the use of SSDs and tossing out bloatware.

Well good luck then.

 

[Berryracer]

the Windows 8 product key is built into the BIOS so in order for you to install the OS, you need to get the OEM Version of Windows 8 Single Language.

what you need to do is insert the product key via a PID.txt in the sources folder on the Windows 8 Disc and boot from a UEFI/GPT disk such as a USB WITH SECURE BOOT ENABLED and FAST BOOT ENABLED

To do this, here is what you will have to do:

1) Ensure the original SSD/HDD that has the original factory installed OS

2) Download and install Belarc Advisor

3) Run Belarc Advisor, then look towards the end of the page, you will find your product key there, note it down

4) on your desktop, create a text file and name it PID.txt

5) Open the PID Text file and paste this

[PID]
Value=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Obviously you have to replace the XXX with your actual product key that is built into the BIOS which you extracted from Belarc Advisor

6) Create an ISO Image of your Windows 8 DVD (should be Single Language Windows 8 DVD not Pro or Retail). You can download the untouched Windows 8 Single Language OEM DVD from HERE or HERE

7) Using UltraISO or any other ISO Editor, copy the PID.txt file to the sources folder which is in the root of the ISO

8) Save your ISO again

9) Download RUFUS

10) Insert a 4 GB USB stick (or more)

11) Run Rufus then follow this image to create a GPT/UEFI disk

where it says ISO, browse to the ISO you just saved

12) let Rufus create your bootable USB

13) Reboot your laptop and boot from the USB then Install Windows 8

The Windows 8 DVD will not ask you for a product key since it will match the PID.txt file with the product key built into your BIOS and if they match the setup will continue

I know this is a hassle, but it's worth every minute! I did that to keep my fast boot / UEFI partitions

My notebook boots in less than 12 seconds from a complete shut down state to the Windows

 

[escrow4]

You don't need a PID or anything. Disable secure boot in the BIOS and set it to Legacy, then yank the HDD out, insert the SSD, insert the USB containing Windows and set the BIOS order to boot off the USB. Then, format the HDD in an external cradle to clean it. Done. This is what I did for a Lenovo laptop and it boots in 6 seconds with the 500GB 7200RPM drive as dump storage. Freakishly fast.

 

[Geish]

I fixed this a couple days ago but have been too busy since then to update. Now I want to thank all who replied to help me out.

My biggest thanks goes to berryracer! That's a great solution for a clean install of Windows 8, and I really appreciate the time you took to make that post.

I know this is a hassle, but it's worth every minute!

No, actually it wasn't a hassle at all. It was super easy and worked like a charm!

@ escrow4- I think your solution would have been fine, but I wanted to try the PID file just to see if it would work since I had some time on my hands at the moment I did the reinstall. A coworker of mine is going to get a new laptop early next year, and I'll likely just use your method then. Thanks for the help.

@bbhaag- Yeah, that is a good thread, and I've saved it for the info. Thanks!

 

[bbhaag]

Sweet man glad to see you got her laptop up and running.:thumbsup:
This secure boot seems like a real PITA for people. I'm not sure why it's even needed or what the exact benefits of it are but it's cool you got it figured out.

 

[Berryracer]

I fixed this a couple days ago but have been too busy since then to update. Now I want to thank all who replied to help me out.

My biggest thanks goes to berryracer! That's a great solution for a clean install of Windows 8, and I really appreciate the time you took to make that post.

No, actually it wasn't a hassle at all. It was super easy and worked like a charm!

@ escrow4- I think your solution would have been fine, but I wanted to try the PID file just to see if it would work since I had some time on my hands at the moment I did the reinstall. A coworker of mine is going to get a new laptop early next year, and I'll likely just use your method then. Thanks for the help.

@bbhaag- Yeah, that is a good thread, and I've saved it for the info. Thanks!

I' glad I could help! enjoy bro

 

[ViRGE]

This secure boot seems like a real PITA for people. I'm not sure why it's even needed or what the exact benefits of it are but it's cool you got it figured out.

The short answer: because it provides security against rootkits that install themselves ahead of the kernel for maximum ownage. With Secure Boot the mobo can validate the OS kernel, the OS kernel can validate the rest of the OS, etc. It doesn't stop all infections, but if you've ever had to clean a rootkit compromised system then you know how maddening it is. Secure Boot closes the door on what's the most dangerous and hardest to resolve exploit vector.

 

[bbhaag]

Thanks for the answer Virge. It was very informative on Secure Boot and why it might be needed. I read your wiki link and that sounds like a nasty little piece of malware. Thankfully I've never run into a rootkit before and hopefully I never do......knocks on wood.

 

[postmark]

Just curious but why disable secure boot? As long as the win 8 USB key is fat32 formatted it will boot to the installer. At this point with secure boot still enabled the installer can read the OEM secure boot info and install win 8 with the OEM key in place as a clean install. This way you still have a efi secure boot enabled install of windows and you dont have to mess with the pid.txt at all