cloning new PC to SSD, license worry?

dirtyvu

New Member
Power User
Messages
1,127
Hi, I'm buying a bunch of new PCs for an office and installing SSDs on all of them. Is there any issues with Windows 8.1 cloning to a new SSD (in terms of licensing and anything else)? The HDD in there will become a secondary drive for data files.

recommendations? (especially software and best protocols to follow)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
No, everything gets transferred, won't have to even re-enter the key. However, I recently upgraded my laptop to a high end Samsung SSD using their transfer program that came with it. My laptop has never been slower, unfortunately, making it a bad decision. :(

I would prefer to have clean installed rather than get what I got, but others swear by it. It probably comes down to which program you use, to which I am not well versed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3820 CPU OC @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G1.Assassin2
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 16GB Quad Channel DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia by EVGA - GeForce GTX 670 4GB
    Sound Card
    On board Creative SB X-Fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    acer 24" H243H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Main 500GB Hybrid Drive @ 7,200RPM
    Secondary OCZ SSD Vertex 3 Max IOPS
    PSU
    Silent Pro 1000w gold 80+
    Case
    Azza Hurrican 2000
    Cooling
    Liquid CPU cooler & fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Tek Republic Wired Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    5ms Ping 5.15Mb/s Download .64Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
I did this on my Lenovo K450 with Acronis True Image. I didn't clone the drive but instead did a backup from the HDD then swapped it out with the new Samsung EVO 250GB SSD and did a restore. Worked perfectly once I got the EFI BIOS stuff figured out.

Boot times and performance are phenomenal. As one person said, "It's so fast it hurts :) ".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I did this on my Lenovo K450 with Acronis True Image. I didn't clone the drive but instead did a backup from the HDD then swapped it out with the new Samsung EVO 250GB SSD and did a restore. Worked perfectly once I got the EFI BIOS stuff figured out.

Boot times and performance are phenomenal. As one person said, "It's so fast it hurts :) ".

Ratfinksig.gif
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Masuhr - Black Corsair
    CPU
    Intel I7 4770k
    Motherboard
    ASUS Maximus VI Hero
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 16GB DD3-1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 660 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PA248
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    Revodrive 350 480GB
    SSD Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240GB Sata3
    HDD WD Red 2x2TB Sata3
    PSU
    Corsair 860i
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF X
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Keyboard
    LG G19
    Mouse
    Microsoft Sidewinder X8
    Internet Speed
    DSL
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech T650 Touchpad
If it is the same image. Use Clonezilla to burn the image to a NFS folder. Then put USB Sticks with Clonezilla on them. In each machine to restore the same image to them.

That is how we did it with Symantec Ghost. But used a CD or floppy back in the day. We could restore fifty to a hundred machines at a time. Depending on how fast the drive & the computer acting as the NAS was. Back in the day.

I get anywhere from 1.2gb to 1.8gb per sec.. Restoring two machines on just my network, with both machines having 100mbps Ethernet. One laptop still has a 5400 rpm platter drive. The other is a Crucial M500 SSD.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
If it is the same image. Use Clonezilla to burn the image to a NFS folder. Then put USB Sticks with Clonezilla on them. In each machine to restore the same image to them.

That is how we did it with Symantec Ghost. But used a CD or floppy back in the day. We could restore fifty to a hundred machines at a time. Depending on how fast the drive & the computer acting as the NAS was. Back in the day.

I get anywhere from 1.2gb to 1.8gb per sec.. Restoring two machines on just my network, with both machines having 100mbps Ethernet. One laptop still has a 5400 rpm platter drive. The other is a Crucial M500 SSD.

I'm a bit confused with your advice.

We're purchasing a number of machines (all identical). With regards to using a single image for all the systems, doesn't that mean all the machines will have the same key/license?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
They will initially, but within 30 days you have to give them each their own key. Else the OS will shut down.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
dirtyvu as a business. You should be ordering them with a Enterprise Volume license. One image will contain all needed software and the users would not see the keys.

Just remember that there is still the issue of making sure that the SSD's are updated with newer firmware as it comes out. That would mean going to each machine to do that update, or rolling out after hours inside of Windows. But then if something goes wrong with the SSD firmware update. It can cause you headaches.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
I never updated my SSD firmware. My oldest SSD is from 2008 and the 6 other SSDs are also some years old. I never had a problem. In fact once I was updating the firmware on my Crucial M4 and that gave me problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
If the new machines come with Windows 8 originally (or 8.1) they will be UEFI systems with the Windows 8 key embedded in the bios so no key manipulation should be needed.

Setting up one system, creating a image then cloning to all the others should work with no install key to worry about.

At least I'm pretty sure that's how it will work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
If the new machines come with Windows 8 originally (or 8.1) they will be UEFI systems with the Windows 8 key embedded in the bios so no key manipulation should be needed.

Setting up one system, creating a image then cloning to all the others should work with no install key to worry about.

At least I'm pretty sure that's how it will work.
No key is kept in the bios. What you are thinking is the checksum that the UEFI uses to verify that OS is valid (MS wisdom to make an attempt to not allow Linux on PC's. & Laptops).

The machines can be ordered with the SSD's already installed, no OS if you are using a MS Volume license. You basically connect all of the machines up to a Lab LAN and go through the process of loading them up with the company Master copy of the OS with all updates on it and other software that is used during the course of users performing their duties.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
No key is kept in the bios. What you are thinking is the checksum that the UEFI uses to verify that OS is valid (MS wisdom to make an attempt to not allow Linux on PC's. & Laptops).

The machines can be ordered with the SSD's already installed, no OS if you are using a MS Volume license. You basically connect all of the machines up to a Lab LAN and go through the process of loading them up with the company Master copy of the OS with all updates on it and other software that is used during the course of users performing their duties.

You're confusing two different things and getting them both wrong.

First, the thing you refer to that you think tries to prevent Linux is called SecureBoot. And Linux systems are perfectly capable of using it, in fact most of the major versions have SecureBoot support, and there is package to add it to those that don't.

Second, Yes, OS Keys can be embedded in the firmware, in something called a SLIC or Software Licensing Description Table. Most OEM computers come with the keys embedded this way.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
No key is kept in the bios. What you are thinking is the checksum that the UEFI uses to verify that OS is valid (MS wisdom to make an attempt to not allow Linux on PC's. & Laptops).

The machines can be ordered with the SSD's already installed, no OS if you are using a MS Volume license. You basically connect all of the machines up to a Lab LAN and go through the process of loading them up with the company Master copy of the OS with all updates on it and other software that is used during the course of users performing their duties.

You're confusing two different things and getting them both wrong.

First, the thing you refer to that you think tries to prevent Linux is called SecureBoot. And Linux systems are perfectly capable of using it, in fact most of the major versions have SecureBoot support, and there is package to add it to those that don't.

Second, Yes, OS Keys can be embedded in the firmware, in something called a SLIC or Software Licensing Description Table. Most OEM computers come with the keys embedded this way.

It's great to see you posting again, Mystere. :thumbsup:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
The only ones with the SLIC are the tablets. None of the OEM laptops that I have worked on, have the key embedded into the bios.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
The only ones with the SLIC are the tablets. None of the OEM laptops that I have worked on, have the key embedded into the bios.
Did those systems have a COA sticker. I have an Asus with 8.1 and it has no COA sticker. I hope they did not forget the sticker.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
In every instance I've seen, no COA sticker == embeded key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
That's what I thought. But broe23 seems to have another experience.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Back
Top