Solved Can't install Windows on a SSD using Recovery USB drive

[PCL2014]

I have just bought an Asus laptop N550JK-DS71T which comes with a 1 Tb HDD and Windows 8.1.
My intention was to swap the drive with a SSD. I have read that cloning the drive to the SSD is an option but I would prefer to use the Recovery USB drive that I created from this laptop.
After installing the SSD and rebooting with the Recovery USB drive plugged, it seems to boot fine on that USB drive and gives me the screen options below.

Would you have any suggestions on how to make it work? Is that even possible to install Windows using the Recovery USB drive in my situation or should I just go ahead and clone the drive, so that there is no issue with partitions.
Also should I try the Backtracker utility from Asus?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Screen 1:


Screen 2: I select Reset PC


Screen 3:


Screen 4: No matter what I select here, I get the error shown in Screen 5.


Screen 5:

 

[Chuck38]

Hi PCL2014,

I don't think it's possible to install Windows with a recovery drive. That's there so you can fix an existing copy.

I would go ahead and clone the drives.

-Chuck

 

[genet]

Also should I try the Backtracker utility from Asus?

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support-

If the HDD is damaged and can’t be repaired, you only need to change the HDD and use Backtracker to install the recovery image.

 

[PCL2014]

Thanks Chuck38 and genet for the quick replies!
I will try Backtracker from Asus and report the results.

 

[Saltgrass]

You never say what type of recovery drive you have. Was it the Windows version or one make with some ASUS utility?

But a Windows Recovery Drive can reinstall a system to a clean drive. But the drive is set up with a drive configuration file which sets the partitions. If you move to a smaller drive, you may be able to change that file. But I agree cloning the drive is probably your best bet. Just don't leave both drives connected after cloning. This assumes you have not made an image using some third party software.

I am unfamiliar with the operation of Backtracker, but several folks have been able to use it to overcome the problems encountered by ASUS systems during the 8 to 8.1 upgrade regarding Resetting or Refreshing such a system.

 

[alphanumeric]

I have just bought an Asus laptop N550JK-DS71T which comes with a 1 Tb HDD and Windows 8.1.
My intention was to swap the drive with a SSD. I have read that cloning the drive to the SSD is an option but I would prefer to use the Recovery USB drive that I created from this laptop.
After installing the SSD and rebooting with the Recovery USB drive plugged, it seems to boot fine on that USB drive and gives me the screen options below.

Would you have any suggestions on how to make it work? Is that even possible to install Windows using the Recovery USB drive in my situation or should I just go ahead and clone the drive, so that there is no issue with partitions.
Also should I try the Backtracker utility from Asus?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Screen 1:
View attachment 52435

Screen 2: I select Reset PC
View attachment 52437

Screen 3:
View attachment 52438

Screen 4: No matter what I select here, I get the error shown in Screen 5.
View attachment 52439

Screen 5:
View attachment 52440

I made a Recovery Thumb Drive using the "copy the recovery partition from the PC to the recovery drive" on my ASUS laptop that had a factory OEM 8.0 install. When trying to Reset to an SSD drive the difference in size caused a "a required partition is missing" error message and it wouldn't work. That was with a blank drive. I even tried pre partitioning the drive, and that didn't work either. Likely as a result of what Saltgrass mentioned. I didn't know about back tracker so I never tried it. I ended up doing a clean install with a TechNet ISO. It read an used my embedded BIOS key automatically. Activated online with no issues too.

 

[PCL2014]

Thank you for everyone's feedback.
I am happy to report that using the Asus Backtracker utility worked perfectly!
The laptop is now very snappy and the process was painless.
Based on this experience, I recommend this method.

 

[Chuck38]

Thank you for everyone's feedback.
I am happy to report that using the Asus Backtracker utility worked perfectly!
The laptop is now very snappy and the process was painless.
Based on this experience, I recommend this method.