Solved Unpartitioned hard drive; Can I install windows 8?

Bikal11

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I have a Windows 8 DVD(got it from a tech seminar in our college)and a license key from Dreamspark. I ran Upgrade assistant and it showed some compatibility details, beside those apps and sidebar these are my concerns:

1.Secure Boot isn't compatible with your PC

Your PC's firmware doesn't support Secure Boot so you won't be able to use it in Windows 8.

2.Dell Stage

Fingertapps

What really is Secure Boot and is it really necessary after I installed windows 8?

My second concern is that I have unpartitioned hard drive, there's only C drive which has about 60 gb free space out of 581 gb. I'm confused because I used to format my old windows xp PC now and then and it has three drives and during the format process I would choose windows xp to install in C drive and in order to do so I would follow the delete partition process. I knew very less about what I was doing when I used to format it. I just memorized the steps:D. So i was wondering if during the upgrade process it removes all data from C drive and installs windows 8 in an empty drive like it used to be during XP installation. I kinda know that that won't happen and it'll be all right but just to be sure I'm asking for help over here.:think: Please enlighten me :D
Oh, btw I'm upgrading win 8 in my Dell inspiron 15 R with genuine win 7. It's a 2 yr old laptop so I guess it has UEFI, not sure though. Thanks.

 

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You have 1 partition. You can't install on an unpartitioned drive.

Don't worry about secure boot. I also can't use it my. My life is not likely to be different. Just search on secure boot if you want to understand. There must be two trillion online sources related to secure boot.

Please say what you want to do when it comes to installing 8. For, example, is your disc an upgrade disc, and do you want to upgrade a previous version--say Win7 to Win8?
 
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Welcome to EightForums.

Always best to start with Unpartitioned space.

Take a look at step 7 in this tutorial:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html




If you do have uEFI,Take a look at step 4 in this tutorial:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html


Windows 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Secure boot

See also: Unified Extensible Firmware Interface#Secure boot and Hardware restrictions#Windows 8

Windows 8 supports a feature of the UEFI specification known as "Secure boot", which uses a public-key infrastructure to verify the integrity of the operating system and prevent unauthorized programs such as bootkits from infecting the device.

Despite the security benefits of the feature, Microsoft faced criticism (particularly from free software supporters) for mandating that devices receiving its optional certification for Windows 8 have secure boot enabled by default using a key provided by Microsoft. Concerns were raised that secure boot could prevent or hinder the use of alternate operating systems such as Linux. In response to the criticism, Microsoft developer Tony Mangefeste stated that "At the end of the day, the customer is in control of their PC. Microsoft’s philosophy is to provide customers with the best experience first, and allow them to make decisions themselves."

Microsoft's certification requirements eventually revealed that UEFI firmware on x86 systems must allow users to re-configure or turn off secure boot, but that this must not be possible on ARM-based systems (Windows RT). Microsoft faced further criticism for its decision to restrict Windows RT devices by using this functionality, despite it being consistent with other consumer electronics with similar protection measures. No mandate is made regarding the installation of third-party certificates that would enable running alternative software
 

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SO what exactly is unallocated space? and why isn't C drive seen in the pic? Is it possible to find your unallocated disk space before running the setup? As I stated before I only have C drive so is it safe to run the setup? Where will it install Win8? In order to install Win 8, Win 7 files should be deleted right? and since those are on my C drive then wouldn't it delete the whole of it or will it delete just the system files of Win 7 and leave other documents as it is? :huh:

PS: I found this on Disk Management, thought it would be relevant:
100 MB Helathy OEM Partition
Recovery 14.65 GB NTFS Healthy (System, Active, Primary Partition)
OS (C:) 581.42 GB NTFS Helathy (Boot, Page File, Crash Dump, Primary Partition)
 

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Unallocated disk space is the same as Unpartitioned disk space
 

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You might reply to my post.
 

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    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
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    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
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    Dual Boot:
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    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
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    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
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    Cooler Master 932 HAF
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yeah I have Win 7 and I want to upgrade it to Win 8; not sure what type of CD though. They gave it to me in a tech seminar and asked me to get serial from dream spark. Got the serial but haven't put the CD in laptop yet!!
 

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Start up to the DVD, and see what your install options are? Be careful to not start the installation. Be sure all your data are backed up before taking even this step. Post back when you find out what kind of disc you have. We could sort of blunder ahead without knowing, but things should go better if we know up front.

Do you have uEFI interface or a solid state drive? If you have a regular BIOS, then you don't have uEFI. That's fine if true. How old is your machine?
 

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System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
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Hi, it just says "Install Now" but I didn't click on it. Like I said earlier it's 2 yrs old Dell Inspiron 15R M5010.
 

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I overstated my case. I am not quite sure about what's over the next hill. I have one DVD where you would be able to choose an upgrade or a clean install (not upgrade). The essential differences between these two are covered briefly below. Considering your source, you may have such a disc.

I have never installed using an upgrade DVD in installing 8. But, you would have the option of doing a clean install (with or without formatting; I would format) or an upgrade install (i.e., even though both generally are upgrades if you have an upgrade disc). If you do the upgrade install (not a clean one), then you run the risk of negative things about your 7 install being carried forward to your 8 install. But, you would not have to reinstall your programs (incompatible ones will not be carried forward); your files will not be deleted; and your setting will be maintained generally. If you do the clean (upgrade) install (with or without formatting), then count your files and programs being gone (except that your files might end up in a Windows.old folder--sorry can't remember exactly).

Above, I am not able to cover everything that might be pertinent. There are some install tutorials in the tutorial section of the forum; try and check them out. They may be confusing to you for a variety of legitimate reasons. Maybe you need to decide if you want to install 8 or not. But, as said, at the point of installing, no matter how you do it, you absolutely must have all your files backed up externally. I would use a new-ish properly formatted external drive in doing the backup.
 

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    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
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    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
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    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
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Isn't it possible to do partition first? like I'll make an E: drive with 500 GB with all my files(movies, musics)and there will be C: drive with 80 GB and all system files only and then I'll install Win 8 in C:, that way it'll delete Win 7 system files and install Win 8 there. Is it possible? If yes then how? I've got this software minitool partition magic but all it does is makes an E: drive out of the free space available in C drive right now i.e. around 50 GB.
 

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Upgrade to Windows 8 with only a product key - Microsoft Windows

Microsoft said:
Make sure you’re on the PC you want to upgrade. This must be a PC that is currently running Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3), Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows 8 Consumer Preview, or Windows Developer Preview. (Windows 8 Setup checks that your PC meets all system requirements before it installs Windows 8.)

Have your product key handy. You can find it in your online order information, in the confirmation email for your purchase, or on the packaging. The product key will look something like this:
XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX

Make a backup of everything you want to keep. Save it somewhere you can get to it later, like an external drive or a DVD.


Always better to do a clean install.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13375-clean-install-windows-8-upgrade.html

Restore Backup User and System Files - Windows 7 Forums
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/9044-backup-restore-files-folders-windows-8-a.html
 

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Isn't it possible to do partition first? like I'll make an E: drive with 500 GB with all my files(movies, musics)and there will be C: drive with 80 GB and all system files only and then I'll install Win 8 in C:, that way it'll delete Win 7 system files and install Win 8 there. Is it possible? If yes then how? I've got this software minitool partition magic but all it does is makes an E: drive out of the free space available in C drive right now i.e. around 50 GB.
Ignoring all related details, yes, it is possible to do use two partitions to accomplish what you mention. I never bother, but some wanting every ounce of performance do so. Ignoring that possibility, see option 2 in theog's third tutorial link: Clean Install with Windows Upgrade. And, here is another tutorial. Back up before doing any installation.
 
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    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
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    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
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    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
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    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
You have 1 partition. You can't install on an unpartitioned drive.

I have only used the Upgrade version. That allows you to delete all partitions from the target drive. The installer will create partitions and format that automatically.

Your statement is technically true but misleading.
 

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I wasn't replying to you.
 

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    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
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    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
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    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
I wasn't replying to you.

Sorry. I hadn't realized forum etiquette had changed, and that I was no longer allowed to respond to postings that aren't directed at me.

And, I've never managed to completely swear off sarcasm.
 

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    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
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    Soundblaster Zx
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    Asus PA246Q
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    1920X1200
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    Corsair Force GT 120GB
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My comment was a bit loose. I wanted OP to know, in response to his claim that he has an unpartitioned drive (yet showing his used/free space and that be is running Win7 in his system specs), that he actually has one partition and that he had to have a partition to have an installed Win7. Your potshot was pointless because it provided nothing useful to the OP and did not attempt to clarify matters--i.e., why my comment was misleading even though it was true.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
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