About to install Windows 8, any "Do this before" tips?

Eneswar

New Member
Messages
19
Hey all, im about to do a fresh install of Windows 8 Pro in a few hours, I have prepared by downloading some drivers (Graphics, Sounds, Network) and im pretty exited about it.

Is there any "Do this before you install Windows 8" tips and tricks I should keep in mind before installing?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Taurus
    CPU
    Sandy Bridge Intel Core i5 2500K @ 3.30GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI P67A-C45
    Memory
    8,00 GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti
    Sound Card
    7.1 Realtek ALC888
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster T260
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 x 59 hertz
    Hard Drives
    1465GB Seagate ST31500341AS
    1465GB Seagate ST31500341AS
    977GB SAMSUNG SAMSUNG HD103SJ
    PSU
    CORSAIR Builder Series CX600W
    Case
    Taurus R1 Miditower
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder ReSpawn Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    25/25
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Are you installing over a previous version of Windows? If so, which version?

If you do have a previous version of Windows, and you have an option to make a Recovery Disk from that version, I would use that. Also make a full image backup of the drive. That way, if something does go wrong, you have a way back. Also, empty your recycle bin!

There are loads more suggestions in this thread:
http://www.eightforums.com/installa...s-take-installing-setting-up-windows-8-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
Hi and welcome!

Before you install...

Update your system BIOS to the latest version.

Consider activating secure boot in BIOS (if available).
Secure Boot Overview

Before you install, you might want to examine whether you will be installing Windows in UEFI mode with GPT hard disk partitioning or in BIOS mode with MBR hard disk partitioning.

As I see it, you have multiple hard disk drives, two of which are identical. You might want to look at a RAID configuration for your system drive (Intel Rapid Storage or Windows dynamic disks)

Enjoy! :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 (6.3.9600)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Ultrabook 14-b083eg
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i3-3217U
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3 (2 x 4 GB modules)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    IDT High-Definition (HD) Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    35.5 cm (14") HD BrightView LED-backlit (1366 x 768)
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSDNow V300 120 - SV300S37A120G (Firmware 505ABBF1)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband
    Browser
    Microsoft Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    avast! Free Antivirus 2014
    Other Info
    System BIOS Version F.1B (Aug 23, 2013)
Are you installing over a previous version of Windows? If so, which version?

If you do have a previous version of Windows, and you have an option to make a Recovery Disk from that version, I would use that. Also make a full image backup of the drive. That way, if something does go wrong, you have a way back. Also, empty your recycle bin!

There are loads more suggestions in this thread:
http://www.eightforums.com/installa...s-take-installing-setting-up-windows-8-a.html

Hey, thank you for the reply and thank you for the link, thats a lot of good suggestions.
I am going from Windows 7 Home 64bit to Windows 8 Pro 64bit.


Hi and welcome!

Before you install...

Update your system BIOS to the latest version.

Consider activating secure boot in BIOS (if available).
Secure Boot Overview

Before you install, you might want to examine whether you will be installing Windows in UEFI mode with GPT hard disk partitioning or in BIOS mode with MBR hard disk partitioning.

As I see it, you have multiple hard disk drives, two of which are identical. You might want to look at a RAID configuration for your system drive (Intel Rapid Storage or Windows dynamic disks)

Enjoy! :)

I updated my BIOS a few months ago, I will check but I think it should already be on latest version.
This is the first time I read about Secure Boot, I will look into it but I dont think ill be needing that.

Never heard about UEFI mode either but I think I will just stick with NTSF :p



Edit: I do have a question, I have heard you can use Gmail as your windows account etc, but I dont know what that will do. Is microsoft Live account prefered or is there no difference what so ever?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Taurus
    CPU
    Sandy Bridge Intel Core i5 2500K @ 3.30GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI P67A-C45
    Memory
    8,00 GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti
    Sound Card
    7.1 Realtek ALC888
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster T260
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 x 59 hertz
    Hard Drives
    1465GB Seagate ST31500341AS
    1465GB Seagate ST31500341AS
    977GB SAMSUNG SAMSUNG HD103SJ
    PSU
    CORSAIR Builder Series CX600W
    Case
    Taurus R1 Miditower
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder ReSpawn Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    25/25
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I do have a question, I have heard you can use Gmail as your windows account etc, but I dont know what that will do. Is microsoft Live account prefered or is there no difference what so ever?

You can use Gmail, Yahoo Mail or any mail account so that you can receive the verification code. I use Gmail because:
  1. 1 less account to maintain
  2. Windows will sync Gmail Contacts to People apps for you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
UEFI has nothing to do with NTFS. NTFS is the file system that Windows uses. UEFI is a secure boot standard imposed by the BIOS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Compac Presario SR5518F
    CPU
    Dual Pentium E2180 (2 GHz)
    Motherboard
    MS-7525 (Boston)
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 8500 GT
Edit: I do have a question, I have heard you can use Gmail as your windows account etc, but I dont know what that will do. Is microsoft Live account prefered or is there no difference what so ever?

A Windows Account is only a option.

Never heard about UEFI mode either but I think I will just stick with NTSF :p

MSI P67A-C45 has a UEFI/BIOS firmware.

As the new MOBO's now have a uEFI/BIOS firmware.
How to install Windows 64 bit on a uEFI/BIOS firmware:

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Help Forums
or
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html


For more info on uEFI:
Windows and GPT FAQ
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
UEFI Firmware
Technical Note: UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS, Advantech(EN) - YouTube
Sample: Configure UEFI/GPT-Based Hard Drive Partitions by Using Windows PE and DiskPart
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
UEFI has nothing to do with NTFS. NTFS is the file system that Windows uses. UEFI is a secure boot standard imposed by the BIOS.

Secure Boot is a option in the UEFI/BIOS firmware on new Windows 8 ready motherboards, older motherboards with a UEFI/BIOS firmware do not have Secure Boot.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
If you have another partition on your harddrive and it's empty, you could direct the 8 be installed there instead of over 7.
Then you will have a dual boot 7 or 8 system.
Doesn't matter if the 8 is an upgrade or full install.
Or another harddrive
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
If you have another partition on your harddrive and it's empty, you could direct the 8 be installed there instead of over 7.
Then you will have a dual boot 7 or 8 system.
Doesn't matter if the 8 is an upgrade or full install.
Or another harddrive

You can upgrade your Windows 7 with the Windows 8 upgrade, but to dual boot you will need the full version.

Upgrade to Windows 8 - Microsoft Windows

Microsoft said:
Purchasing a full version of Windows 8


If you want to build your own PC and install Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro, or want an additional operating system running in either a local virtual machine or separate partition (including a Mac), you can purchase the Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro System Builder products (OEM versions). If available in your country or region, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro System Builder products can be purchased at participating stores, you'll need to ask a sales rep for more info. This version doesn't include customer support.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I would suggest going into bios & enabling Boot Menu.
That should activate the F-12 key which can be pressed at startup to get the Boot menu to display.

And make Restore Points.

Learn the benefits of sfc /scannow

And

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
All good tips... just wondering, however,..if you have windows 8 key, why not install the RTM?.. may not be the purists' idea of 'legit' using a leak (albeit identical to the MSDN iso), but Win 8 has a gazillion updates and let's face it..it's old news now.

... and Win8.1 accepts the Win8 key... just an option to consider :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
All good tips... just wondering, however,..if you have windows 8 key, why not install the RTM?.. may not be the purists' idea of 'legit' using a leak (albeit identical to the MSDN iso), but Win 8 has a gazillion updates and let's face it..it's old news now.

... and Win8.1 accepts the Win8 key... just an option to consider :cool:

Im not sure where you got the idea that it wasnt RTM ? :p its a fresh legit install of Windows 8.


Also want to thank everyone who have replied, i got some reading to do!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Taurus
    CPU
    Sandy Bridge Intel Core i5 2500K @ 3.30GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI P67A-C45
    Memory
    8,00 GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti
    Sound Card
    7.1 Realtek ALC888
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster T260
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 x 59 hertz
    Hard Drives
    1465GB Seagate ST31500341AS
    1465GB Seagate ST31500341AS
    977GB SAMSUNG SAMSUNG HD103SJ
    PSU
    CORSAIR Builder Series CX600W
    Case
    Taurus R1 Miditower
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder ReSpawn Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    25/25
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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