What's the proper way to clean install Win8 on new SSD

usmc21

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Jan 1, 2014
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Hello everyone,
I bought an acer 756-2808 net book last year with windows 7 from Amazon. This net book came with a "upgrade to Windows 8 for just $15.99" special deal by Microsoft for computers purchased between June 2012 and Jan 31. 2013. So, I did the upgrade when it was released.

Sadly, I probably only used net book for a month or two because the LED screen cracked. They are pretty fragile. Since I'm on winter break from college- I decided to do something productive and bring this thing back from the grave.
Thus far, I replaced the screen ($50 off eBay) and replaced it myself. Wasn't too bad at all considering i'm a big noob :D . Then, I upgraded to 8GB ram. This thing flies!

I downloaded 'produkey' from nirisoft.net, because I can't find the product key anywhere for the life of me. So, now I have the product key for the current windows 8 installed. Will this upgrade product key work for a clean install?

Moving on, I ordered a Samsung 840 Pro 128 GB which should be arriving in a few days.
Finally, I want to do a clean install of Windows 8.1 using a Windows 8 Product key. Is this possible? Or should I do a clean install of Windows 8 again. Doesn't really matter to me.
The original HDD on this net book has nothing on it, so I don't really have to back anything up either (like I said I barely used it for two months before the screen cracked!)

Do these steps look right?
1.) Get the ISO on the USB. (Which ISO should I get? Windows 8 or windows 8.1?)
2.) Restart computer and go into BIOS. Then enable AHCI.
3.) Make system boot from USB drive. Then shutdown.
4.) Take out old HDD and install new SSD
5.) Start up computer and install Windows 8/8.1 from USB drive.
6.) Go acer site and download the needed drivers
7.) Complete windows update

Are these steps incorrect? Sorry- I just need some clarification. Thank you for reading.
 
Solution
Hi
- power off
- disconnect all but SSD drives
- Power ON
-Log in BIOS
- change sata to AHCI
- Save & Exit
- Boot from USB Win 8.1 Setup
- Use the wizard to single partition & format the SSD
- done Install
- add drivers
- power off
- add storage drives also


Tips if you have more than 4 GB RAM :
- disable the page file
- disable the hybernate
- use SSD Fresh tool to tune you SSD for better performance and life span ....

jimmycooper16

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Aug 22, 2012
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Windows 8.1 if you can. I believe you can format your hard drives in the BIOS, i am not sure but try to do that. Insert OS disk and make the OS install to the SSD. If you are installing it from a USB instead then yes your instructions are correct. Boot from the flash drive.
 

Nikolay Savov

Honorable
Apr 9, 2013
65
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10,610
Hi
- power off
- disconnect all but SSD drives
- Power ON
-Log in BIOS
- change sata to AHCI
- Save & Exit
- Boot from USB Win 8.1 Setup
- Use the wizard to single partition & format the SSD
- done Install
- add drivers
- power off
- add storage drives also


Tips if you have more than 4 GB RAM :
- disable the page file
- disable the hybernate
- use SSD Fresh tool to tune you SSD for better performance and life span ....
 
Solution

usmc21

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Jan 1, 2014
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Sorry but what do you mean by disable page file and hybernate?
 

Nikolay Savov

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Apr 9, 2013
65
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10,610


F.E. :
Paging is using the Hard Drive or SSD like RAM space.
If you have 4 GB of DDR you page.sys ( C:\ located ) will be 4 GB
If you have 8 GB of DDR you page.sys ( C:\ located ) will be 8 GB
If you have 16 GB of DDR you page.sys ( C:\ located ) will be 16 GB
So if you have 120 GB SSD you will loose f.e. 8 GB space
Hybernate is an power managment option - turn ON by default
the same goes for the hybernate :
If you have 4 GB of DDR you hiberfil.sys ( C:\ located ) will be 4 GB *
If you have 8 GB of DDR you hiberfil.sys ( C:\ located ) will be 8 GB *
If you have 16 GB of DDR you hiberfil.sys ( C:\ located ) will be 16 GB *
* - the maximum size is the maximum RAM size - the exact size is the amount of used RAM

SO having those two untouched you gonna loose from 10 to 30 GB from yu SSD

Also if you have Destop PC with 8 and more RAM you will never need Hibernate and Page
If you like you can disable them and gain those 10 -30 GB back !