UEFI Settings for USB Boot and Recovery.?

Hi All,

I'm having my first encounter with UEFI on a new(to me) HP Laptop with Windows 8.1. (excuse the noobiness)
I have read/Googled quite a bit and am trying to understand.
If I understand the basics of the UEFI BIOS and "Key" and OS/Software needs a matching "Key" to be able to install.
I understand that along with this, there is a new method of partitioning "GPT" to support the UEFI/Safe Boot/Key.

To my questions/quries,

1. I have a set of "Full Recovery Disks",
Which I assume are able to put the Laptop back to original even if disk is replaced,
So the recovery disks will re-create the disk partitions(GPT?) to work with UEFI..??

2. I want to be able to boot from USB to try Linux Live boots.
From what I have read, I need to disable "Safe Boot", and enable "Legacy" mode, is this correct..??
I do understand this will bypass the extra security that "Safe Boot" brings.

Not sure if I should do another post for this one, but here goes.?
I have a Retail Windows 8.0 Pro Install disk, unopened with Key.
Can I install that on this Laptop, or is it only for use on a machine with No OS.?
If it's a YES, am I right to assume that if I removed all partition from the disk, like it was new,
It would create the necessary partitions/format to work with the UEFI BiIOS..??

Many Thanks
Dave

HP Laptop with Windows 8.1

Click to expand...

1) yes, will reinstall Windows 8.1 x64 HP OEM version.

3) Why would you downgrade to Windows 8?

2) The right version of Linux will boot with Secure Boot & UEFI.

theog said:

HP Laptop with Windows 8.1

Click to expand...

1) yes, will reinstall Windows 8.1 x64 HP OEM version.

3) Why would you downgrade to Windows 8?

2) The right version of Linux will boot with Secure Boot & UEFI.

Click to expand...

Hi theog,

Thanks for the prompt response...
Oooops, Sorry I just realised I missed one vital bit...
When I got the Laptop it had 8.0 (recovery disks are also 8.0),
When I got it, I did the update to 8.1 via the Store.

I don't want to intentionally go back to 8.0,
that's what the Full Install disk is I have, once installed,
I would then use the Store to take it up to 8.1

Thanks... Dave

The full Retail DVD will install Core or Pro, therefore if your PC came with Pre-installed Core, the DVD will only install Core, as the installer will see the Product key in the UEFI/BIOS firmware.

The download ISO's are not, you can only download Core or PRO.

Thanks for the clarification... Dave