Remove Win7 from a new Spectre XT to install Windows 8 RP on its mSATA SSD

[xscess]

How should I "remove" Windows 7 from a brand new(it's still in the box) HP Spectre XT Ultrabook 13t-2000 to install Windows 8 Release Preview on its 128GB mSATA SSD...

Now as I understand, I should NOT "format" an SSD like a hard drive(on an HDD i would run dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdx bs=1M from a live-cd/usb). Should I just go for a quick format(also remove MBR by dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdx bs=443 count=1) and then simply install Win 8 RP? I think better I should boot to Win 7 at least once to backup its drivers folder.

Thanks a lot in advance.

HP 128GB mSATA SSD :

 

[Lonyo]

Check the manufacturer website to see what drivers are there. Usually they should all be available for download.
Modern Windows detects SSDs and so should format it correctly through the Windows format took when you boot to install the OS.

If you want to futz about more, although I don't think it should be required:

Boot from your Windows 8 installation media.
After booting you see the Install Windows 8 screen, press Shift + F10 to open command prompt.
At the command prompt, type Diskpart, press Enter.
Type List Disk, press Enter.
Type Select Disk # (where # is the number your drive shows up as), press Enter.
Type Clean, press Enter.
Type Convert MBR, press Enter.
Type Exit, press Enter.
Close the Command Prompt window.
Click the "Next" button.
Click the "Install now" button.
Put in your product key and click the "Next" button.
Accept the terms and click the "Next" button.
Choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)."
Select the partition and click "Drive options (advanced)"
Click "New" and then click the "Apply" button. Two partitions should appear. Click the bottom partition.
Click the "OK" button and then click the "Next" button.
From then on follow the on screen instructions till you get to the desktop.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1240779/seans-windows-8-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds#

 

[dma0991]

Just format it like you would with a HDD.

 

[taltamir]

How should I "remove" Windows 7 from a brand new(it's still in the box) HP Spectre XT Ultrabook 13t-2000 to install Windows 8 Release Preview on its 128GB mSATA SSD...

Now as I understand, I should NOT "format" an SSD like a hard drive(on an HDD i would run dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdx bs=1M from a live-cd/usb). Should I just go for a quick format(also remove MBR by dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdx bs=443 count=1) and then simply install Win 8 RP? I think better I should boot to Win 7 at least once to backup its drivers folder.

Thanks a lot in advance.

HP 128GB mSATA SSD :

You shouldn't zero fill an SSD, that is correct.
But why are you using linux to format your windows PC? Why are you zero filling drives when you format them on linux?

Here is what you do:
1. Insert the Window 8 DVD and boot from it.
2. In the window 8 installer, delete all partitions.
3. Use windows 8 installer to repartition your drive.
4. Install window 8.

There you go. Of course then one must ask the question why you would downgrade from Winodws 7 to Window 8.
Also why you would install an RC when you CANNOT upgrade an RC to the full version and MUST do a full reinstall when the full version arrives which is VERY SOON.

 

[xscess]

Lonyo, dma0991 & taltamir

Many thanks for the replies.

I'll go with the Diskpart from the Windows 8 install screen for this ultrabook.

the full version arrives which is VERY SOON.

The reason to install Windows 8 RP is that it's final version, "general availability", going to be released in October and I don't want to wait four months for that. Also, this ultrabook is gonna be an addition to the Windows 7 desktop and a laptop so if something don't work because of Win8, i'm prepared for it.

You shouldn't zero fill an SSD, that is correct.
But why are you using linux to format your windows PC? Why are you zero filling drives when you format them on linux?

Now in regards to hard drives, I format & reinstall Windows 7 on my desktop every few months and I "zero-fill" the HDD in order to erase it thoroughly. A while back I read somewhere that while reinstalling an OS, it's better(it helps speed up or something) to zero-fill the HDD instead of simply removing partition table/MBR.


Thanks again.

 

[taltamir]

The reason to install Windows 8 RP is that it's final version

No it isn't. RTM = Release to manufacturers and THAT is the final version. RTM occurs 2-3 months or so before public availability which is in october. The publically available version is identical to the RTM version only released later.
RP will disable itself a certain amount of time after release, will not be updateable to RTM, and will not be able to install windows updates like RTM would.

Now in regards to hard drives, I format & reinstall Windows 7 on my desktop every few months and I "zero-fill" the HDD in order to erase it thoroughly. A while back I read somewhere that while reinstalling an OS, it's better(it helps speed up or something) to zero-fill the HDD instead of simply removing partition table/MBR.

You were given wrong info, only reason you would zero fill a drive is to prevent people from recovering deleted files and:
1. Not needed on an SSD (just trim it)
2. You can just zero fill the empty space or digitally "shred" files via various software (zero fill their locations specifically and only their locations).

 

[xscess]

No it isn't. RTM = Release to manufacturers and THAT is the final version. RTM occurs 2-3 months or so before public availability which is in october. The publically available version is identical to the RTM version only released later.
RP will disable itself a certain amount of time after release, will not be updateable to RTM, and will not be able to install windows updates like RTM would.

Now I knew about RTM and "GA" but (1) I am not gonna have an access to RTM (like Technet or MSDN) and (2) even if somehow I get ISO from somewhere, I'm certainly not gonna have a valid product key to activate it. So for me, the first available date will be when Microsoft makes it available via it's $14.99 upgrade offer (applicable to those who have bought Windows 7 PC between June 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013), which will be "sometime" in October.

1. Not needed on an SSD (just trim it)

Now this much I knew for sure but "zero-fill"(only in regards to hard drives) I could be wrong about.

Thanks.

Edit: oh by the way, Win 8 RP will expiration date is Jan 15, 2013

 

[taltamir]

Edit: oh by the way, Win 8 RP will expiration date is Jan 15, 2013

Fair enough, however you should at least admit that

The reason to install Windows 8 RP is that it's final version

Is not true.
It isn't the final version, it is a beta that cannot receive updates and will eventually be shut down. If you are willing to live with that, then go ahead and do it.

 

[corkyg]

I really question the utility in a clean install of a beta product to replace a brand new OEM version of Win 7. OK, if you must, but I suggest that you retain the original Win 7 HDD as is. Then when Win 8 goes final, you can do a direct upgrade and then clone it to your mSATA SSD.

Constant reinstallation of sn OS to keep it at peak performance is partially a myth. If you had to always reinstall and recustomize your system for 40-50 apps, the need to do proper maintenance of hardware and software would make you think twice.

 

[xscess]

@ taltamir

thanks for the reply. Regarding the "final version", you broke down my sentence in half, so please read the sentence in it's entirety.

What i said was:

The reason to install Windows 8 RP is that it's final version, "general availability", going to be released in October and I don't want to wait four months for that.

I should've typed/said differently like, "The reason to install Windows 8 RP is that, the final version of Windows 8 is going to be released in October and I don't want to wait four months for that."

@ corkyg

You are right. Some people like to play video games etc and I like to play around with OSes.

Thanks alott guys.

 

[taltamir]

@ taltamir

thanks for the reply. Regarding the "final version", you broke down my sentence in half, so please read the sentence in it's entirety.

What i said was:

I should've typed/said differently like, "The reason to install Windows 8 RP is that, the final version of Windows 8 is going to be released in October and I don't want to wait four months for that."

Whoops, I fail at reading
sorry about that.

 

[xscess]

@taltamir

it's alright

I know it may not considered a real benchmark but here's the screenshot of what Windows experience index with 3rd gen Core i7-3667U + HD 4000 graphics + mSATA SSD looks like... is it good for an ultrabook or no?