Solved A CLEAN install of windows 8 upgrade after disk wipe.

zooburner

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Hiya there

I have a computer running windows 7 (prem) and I am wanting to do a clean install of a retail purchased DVD of windows 8 Pro upgrade.

Now I am aware there are tutorials on here telling you how to do that.. deleting partitions etc and I understand them, however as I understand the process it just wipes the allocation tables then does a quick format, then installs windows 8.

What I want to do is WIPE my hard drive (fill it with zero's) and then install windows 8 upgrade, is this possible or can I choose a FULL format when installing windows 8 ?

I hope you understand what i mean, looking forward to your reply.

Andy
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion P7 1040UK
    CPU
    Intel i5 2310
    Motherboard
    Intel H67
    Memory
    4 GB PC3 10600 ( 1 x4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 530 (2GB)
Welcome to the forums zooburner, you don't need to wipe your hard drive (with zero), you will be able to choose full format during the upgrade process. One of the requirements for upgrade is that you need to have a licenced copy of windows installed in your PC.
When you do the upgrade, choose "Custom Install".
What are the cheapest and easiest upgrade paths to Windows 8? | ZDNet
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
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    High Definiton Audio Device
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    Generic
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    1366x768
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    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
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    QWERTY
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    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
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    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
If you really want to do more than just reformat, after you boot from your install media, press shift+F10. This will bring you to a command window where you are able to use the diskpart utility. SS64 has a good page on the utility:

DiskPart - Partition a disk | SS64.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Server 2012 Standard w/Hyper-V
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ProBook 4430s
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-2310M
    Memory
    16GB DDR3
    Hard Drives
    80GB Intel 320 SSD
    500GB Samsung Momentus
What error message does the Win8Pro Upgrade Setup (from bootable USB/DVD) give if the destination partition is blank? I guess nobody can answer this until Friday?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7
Thanks Folks

That is really helpful :) i will check out all the options you have outlined :)

Andy
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion P7 1040UK
    CPU
    Intel i5 2310
    Motherboard
    Intel H67
    Memory
    4 GB PC3 10600 ( 1 x4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 530 (2GB)
Can I use the diskpart "clean" command to remove the existing Windows 7 partition before installing Windows 8 with the upgrade version of Windows or do I need to have the full System Builder version of Windows in order to use the diskpart "clean" command? Will the diskpart "clean" command cause the upgrade compliance check to fail?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Can I use the diskpart "clean" command to remove the existing Windows 7 partition before installing Windows 8 with the upgrade version of Windows or do I need to have the full System Builder version of Windows in order to use the diskpart "clean" command? Will the diskpart "clean" command cause the upgrade compliance check to fail?

I don't know about System Builder but I'd be cautious of removing your Windows 7 partition BEFORE running Setup from your Win8Pro Ugrade (boot) disk. Unless somebody knows otherwise, I'd suggest you choose the full format option (that's the "custom" option) during the upgrade process.

I guess we won't know for definate until Friday but the latest ISO I've been playing with allowed the upgrade of a blank partition but left Win8Pro in an unactivated state.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7
Sorry if this question has been asked before but what is the best way of installing Windows 8?? Is it a clean install where it totally wipes your computer or just an upgrade!!

I am running Windows 7 btw!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7
Just installed the upgrade over Win8Pro Release Preview (Custom upgrade). Activated automatically using key provided by the Upgrade Assistant. Must say I'm a bit surprised. (Ok I know this wasn't a blank disk but I didn't think the Preview Release would be upgradeable).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7
Sorry if this question has been asked before but what is the best way of installing Windows 8?? Is it a clean install where it totally wipes your computer or just an upgrade!!

I am running Windows 7 btw!!

I dont' upgrade anything. Pay the $39.99 for the upgrade if you are eligible sure, but then choose a clean install when you perform the upgrade. No sense in bringing along any problems in my opinion. Of course this means you must be able to backup and restore all of your data and reinstall your apps and set them up again...This may or many not be a concern depending upon the user.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I was very surprised to be able to just install over the release preview, I did the clean install and formatted the partition so it was very surprising after reading all the stuff about needing a prior version of Windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
I was very surprised to be able to just install over the release preview, I did the clean install and formatted the partition so it was very surprising after reading all the stuff about needing a prior version of Windows.

Did you format the partition as part of the Custom option? That's probably different from formatting before starting the install. Vitally different. Oh and did the upgrade activate ok?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7
Hiya folks

I haven't got my disc yet, but will upgrading my current windows 7 instillation mean I cant down-grade if I have any problems, makes sense to block that as I have effectively upgraded and now my license is for Windows 8.

My computer came with Windows 7 installed already I backed that up to an image (Image for Windows not the built in image maker) and used a full retail copy, if i put back my OEM copy but will it upgrade from that leaving my Full retail copy of Windows 7 free to install on this (or another) computer should i have problems .

Andy
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion P7 1040UK
    CPU
    Intel i5 2310
    Motherboard
    Intel H67
    Memory
    4 GB PC3 10600 ( 1 x4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 530 (2GB)
^ shame you don't have a 2nd computer. The Windows7 Retail copy is transferrable (obviosuly) so going back to the OEM licence sounds like a good idea. How big is your disk? Or go for a dual-boot.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7
Hiya folks

I haven't got my disc yet, but will upgrading my current windows 7 instillation mean I cant down-grade if I have any problems, makes sense to block that as I have effectively upgraded and now my license is for Windows 8.

My computer came with Windows 7 installed already I backed that up to an image (Image for Windows not the built in image maker) and used a full retail copy, if i put back my OEM copy but will it upgrade from that leaving my Full retail copy of Windows 7 free to install on this (or another) computer should i have problems .

Andy

Yes, restore your original Win7 OEM image, then use your Win8 upgrade.
Then you can use your retail Win7 on any computer you want.

If you upgrade your OEM Win7 and for any reason want to go back to Win7, just remove the Win8 upgrade and restore the Win7 OEM image or install the retail. Then you can re-use the Win8 upgrade on any computer you own.
You just can't have it on two computers at the same time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
    Other Info
    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
I was very surprised to be able to just install over the release preview, I did the clean install and formatted the partition so it was very surprising after reading all the stuff about needing a prior version of Windows.

I actually just installed on a new computer I built that had Windows 7 installed but no key (30 day grace period) and it installed without a hitch. I reformatted my HD as well. I just hope we don't start getting black screened and have to go back and install a previous valid version of windows, then reinstall windows 8. I just don't get it, niether of our installs are technically valid according to MS. It says right on the upgrade page, "To install Windows 8 Pro, customers must be running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7." I was expecting it to ask me for a valid Key from a previous version of windows, but it never did...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8
^ Is this the same computer you ran the Upgrade Assistant from? Or did you order at Windows Upgrade Offer - Landing Page ?

Your scenario is perfectly valid when the Upgrade Assistant authorised against XP,Vista or W7 ON ANOTHER COMPUTER and you brought the isntall DVD to your new computer (contrary to belief you can install over XP,Vista,W7 and all W8[pre]releases).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7
I was very surprised to be able to just install over the release preview, I did the clean install and formatted the partition so it was very surprising after reading all the stuff about needing a prior version of Windows.

I actually just installed on a new computer I built that had Windows 7 installed but no key (30 day grace period) and it installed without a hitch. I reformatted my HD as well. I just hope we don't start getting black screened and have to go back and install a previous valid version of windows, then reinstall windows 8. I just don't get it, niether of our installs are technically valid according to MS. It says right on the upgrade page, "To install Windows 8 Pro, customers must be running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7." I was expecting it to ask me for a valid Key from a previous version of windows, but it never did...

Glad to report that it works! Just like dproberts55 above me, I used a Win7 retail disc and did a clean reformat. I did not enter a serial number and left the OS on 30-day trial mode.
I went to the Windows 8 upgrade page and downloaded the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant and made the purchase from there.
My guess is that the Upgrade Assistant never checked for a product key!!
This is great news especially since I've never owned a Windows OS (had a volume-licensed WinXP then a pirated Win7 in my teens). Feels good to finally have a legit OS for my homebrew.
I was able to burn my DVD ISO and do a clean reformat using that Win8 disc.
Thanks to dproberts55 for posting his results and making it known this is even possible.
To Microsoft, thanks for letting the few of us that have been too broke to afford your excellent OS finally get on the bandwagon. Now that I have Win8 Pro, I won't mind shelling out another $40 for Win9 in a few years. Microsoft now has a new loyal customer..

I almost forgot to mention, after I entered my payment information (credit card number, billing address) and clicked the "make purchase" button (or whatever it says), the Upgrade Assistant said that the purchase could not be completed. So I clicked "back" (you're never supposed to do this) and rechecked my payment information (card number, etc.). I clicked "make purchase" again and again it failed. I then used a completely different card and the purchase went through. I later checked my checking account via online banking and I had BEEN CHARGED THE FIRST TWO TIMES!! YES, THE FIRST TWO THAT HAD SUPPOSEDLY FAILED!
I don't know if anyone else has experienced this or will experience it but those 3 charges, each for $39.99 work out to being just under the price for Windows 8 "System Builder" DVD on Newegg for $140!
I called Microsoft and they politely informed me that I'll be given a refund (seriously, bless them, they're too good to us) but I wondered if this was Microsoft's way of getting close to fair market value for their new OS..
I'm just happy I got Win8 Pro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Did it myself!
    CPU
    Intel i7 2600K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth P67
    Memory
    G.Skill 16Gb 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x GTX570's SLi
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi USB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2410
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
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