Solved Installing Windows 8.1 on a brand new SSD

Hi all,

A few days ago, I bought a GALAX Gamer 120GB SSD and a Toshiba 2TB 7200RPM HDD from a PC parts store. I installed them in my tower's case and connected them up. Then, I attempted to install Windows 8.1 Core onto the SSD from a bootable USB drive I had made using Microsoft's Installation Media Creation Tool. The installer promptly error'd. I attempted a few more times, to no avail. I contact MS's answer desk, and they couldn't help, so I left it for the night and went to bed. The next day, I decide that I will attempt to install Windows onto the HDD and then clone it over. Of course, it installed perfectly fine on the HDD. Using both Windows' System Image Backup/Restore tool and a myriad of others, I still could not get an installation on the SSD. I ran a surface test on the SSD which turned up fine. I tried again tonight with the same USB drive to install Windows onto the SSD, again, it error'd, I contacted the MS Answer Desk again, they had me change a BIOS settings, and then take my ram cards out and clean them with an eraser. Neither of those worked, and MS support suggested I contact a local tech as it is a hardware issue.

Do you guys have any thoughts on what I should do? Feel free to PM or reply asking for more info.

TIA,
Stannis

Now that you have windows on the HDD - Does the SSD show up in file explorer? and Disk management ?

I would check and tell you, but of course windows isn't playing nice with the HDD, so I'm currently resetting it. Nothing of value will be lost, the install was only about 10 hours old

-Stannis

EDIT: I should add though, while the windows was working, the SSD did show up in disk management, not in file explorer though, b/c it had no partitions.

OK, booted back into windows on the HDD, and the SSD is visible in disk management and explorer (because it's partitioned atm)

Is the SSD set as Disk 0 or Disk 1? Try having the SSD in Sata port 0 as that usually works the best. If the HDD is in slot 0 that may be your problem.

HisGraceStannis said:

OK, booted back into windows on the HDD, and the SSD is visible in disk management and explorer (because it's partitioned atm)

Click to expand...

I'm wondering if your having issues because your system is UEFI and your trying to install a MBR Version? or Vise Versa your system is MBR and your trying to install UEFI.
To install UEFI windows 8 on boot up hit the ESC key or F8 key what ever your key your motherboard will give you a boot menu and select UEFI USB or UEFI DVD its important to boot from the UEFI boot to install UEFI GPT, If this boots start the install put in your language and then hit the F10 key this will bring up a Command Prompt type in DISKPART, Then LIST this will list the hard drives on your computer. Select your SSD and then Clean and then convert GPT after that is successful continue the install.
It is best to disconnect all drives other than the one you want to install Windows 8.1 too.
After the install reboot since your SSD is the only bootable drive connected it will boot and set your SSD as first boot drive.
After the next reboot, Connect all your drives on reboot hit the boot menu key again and insure that your SSD is the drive booing from. once in windows go to your old boot drive and delete the windows folder or rename it window.old. Problem should be solved.

good point.. With both drives installed >

From command prompt(admin)
Type> diskpart
Type> list disk
type> list volume

post a pic of cmd windows

KYHI said:

good point.. With both drives installed >

From command prompt(admin)
Type> diskpart
Type> list disk
type> list volume

post a pic of cmd windows

Click to expand...

Clintlgm said:

HisGraceStannis said:

OK, booted back into windows on the HDD, and the SSD is visible in disk management and explorer (because it's partitioned atm)

Click to expand...

I'm wondering if your having issues because your system is UEFI and your trying to install a MBR Version? or Vise Versa your system is MBR and your trying to install UEFI.
To install UEFI windows 8 on boot up hit the ESC key or F8 key what ever your key your motherboard will give you a boot menu and select UEFI USB or UEFI DVD its important to boot from the UEFI boot to install UEFI GPT, If this boots start the install put in your language and then hit the F10 key this will bring up a Command Prompt type in DISKPART, Then LIST this will list the hard drives on your computer. Select your SSD and then Clean and then convert GPT after that is successful continue the install.
It is best to disconnect all drives other than the one you want to install Windows 8.1 too.
After the install reboot since your SSD is the only bootable drive connected it will boot and set your SSD as first boot drive.
After the next reboot, Connect all your drives on reboot hit the boot menu key again and insure that your SSD is the drive booing from. once in windows go to your old boot drive and delete the windows folder or rename it window.old. Problem should be solved.

Click to expand...

I'm away from the PC in question at the moment, give me a couple hours and I should be back there. I'll try Clintlgm's advice first. If that doesn't work, I'll get that diskpart stuff for you KYHI.

I'm away from the PC in question at the moment, give me a couple hours and I should be back there. I'll try Clintlgm's advice first. If that doesn't work, I'll get that diskpart stuff for you KYHI.

Click to expand...

Hope it is just something as simple as a boot menu selection, that could be the issue and would be easy to solve..

Went into the computer shop today, showed them the drive, swapped it for a new one, came home, all works fine. Thanks for your advice guys, but it turns out it was probably the simplest answer.