How to get pre-installed windows 8 on new hard drive

Success

I repeated this repsonse in another thread too.

FINALLY!:dinesh: This tutorial WINS. I really worked! I cannot believe it took me a week on & off of trial and error and fresh installs, etc. The one constant that kept it intact was preserving my original hard drive untouched especially the original Recovery Partition.

THANK YOU THEOG. PARAGON rules.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS K55A
    CPU
    Intel Core i5
    Memory
    8GB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Good work jerendeb!
Thanks for mentioning the solution.

Have a nice day!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
good evening!

i'm a rookie i just get registered here minutes ago.
i'm sorry if i ask a stupid question or one that as been answered over and over.

my girlfriend just bought (yesterday) a Samsung Series 5 Ultra model NP530U3C-A04PT.
it came with a 500 GB HDD.
it came with Windows 8 pre-installed
we didn't touched it, yet! ;)

we just bought a Samsung 840 Pro SSD 128GB. it will arrive tomorrow.

we want to use the SSD without losing the original MS Windows license.

can anyone please explain me, step by step (please when posting please keep in mind i'm really very, very ignorant! because i am!), how to go from the original HDD to the upcoming SSD smoothly along with keeping future system restore possible in case of a major software collapse also without loosing Windows license.

we don´t intend to do any piracy or anything like that. the computer belongs to my girlfriend's small accounting and consulting company so she needs to keep original licenses of all programs she uses.

if anyone would be kind enough to help us we would appreciate it very much. if it's easier to do it to my email, please do.

thank you very much.

best!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
just forgot:

the computer came with no installation DVD available, usb flash drive, nothing. just the computer, a quick start "flyer", a waranty information and a safety precautions "flyer"!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
have you got your trouble sorted out as this post is of 2012 and this is mid 2013 ... perhaps you must have got something .. please post about how your have simplified your problem as it may work in my similar case as well....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    4.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    e4166
    CPU
    core 2 duel
    Motherboard
    i3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Dell
    Browser
    compe
    Antivirus
    kpersky
Hi MLopes,

Samsung provides all the tools you need, including disk copy. See chapter 5 of the user manual (pages 117-119 in this example). [DEL]That also means you'll have to invest in external storage, because you have to save the disk image somewhere.[/DEL]
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
hello Vadikan

i told i was a rookie! ;) thank you very much!

if you don't mind i'll abuse your patience a little more and ask: which options to choose in Samsung app?

the screen in the page you mentioned is this:

image.tiff



what do i do? i connect the SSD to the usb3 port using a controller (no problem, i have one) and then i use disk copy? or backup turning on the boot disk option? or factory image?

or i need to use another hdd to create the image (which options to use?) and them recover to the SSD already installed inside the computer?

sorry again!

thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Hi MLopes,

I can't see your image, but the way I see the sequence is as follows:
1. Use an USB enclose and connect your SSD externally.
2. Save disk copy to it.
3. Replace internal HDD with SSD.

So I take my words about investing in external storage back. It seems like the Samsung software takes care of everything. What I'm not sure is how it'll handle the move to the smaller disk, but you shall find out :)

Since I don't have a Samsung notebook, I can't test their tools. You can also talk to Samsung support about the details.

At any rate, before you start experimenting, http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
thanks for your patience guys!

thanks Vadikan and theog!

great to find nice people willing to help.

p.s.: about Samsung support! :D the only thing i can do is laugh! otherwise i would cry!
i live in Portugal...called the portuguese Samsung support line and the very nice girl on the other side knew less about computers that a do! i was put on hold two or three times. first i couldn't do the change because it would void my warranty. minutes later a can but only if replacing HDD and RAM. then she knew nothing about what i was asking, on hold again. minutes later she stated Samsung can't help me, i need to call technical assistance, an independent company.
i did it the next day. they told me i couldn't perform the operation because it will void my warranty. i said that was not Samsung info, on hold. minutes later: i probably can to it but only with the HDD and RAM but they can't be sure. about what i need they can't help me. Samsung was wrong giving me their contact! i was about to explode when the girl on the other side told my they would gladly do it for me! 18 euros of postage (70km distance) and about 35 euros to perform the service!!! Great!!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
MLopers, I'm glad you had fun with Samsung support :) Generally, replacing disk drives and RAM won't void your laptop warranty, though.

If you feel uncomfortable with Samsung software, there are plenty of third party solutions (like the one theog suggested). Personally, I'd go with capturing the drive to WIM with DISM, but software with graphical user interface is a better option for a rookie, as you described yourself.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
couldn't you simply download the iso (from a torrent site) of the disc burn it to dvd and reinstall with you (legitimate) key? from what i understand as long as you dont download a crack or a product key you can download the disc legally and use it (as long as you have a product key this is not piracy)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 17-e040us Notebook PC
    CPU
    intel core i3 2.4ghz
    Motherboard
    intel
    Memory
    6gb ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3in
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    750gb
    Mouse
    lazer
    Internet Speed
    86mb down 5mb up
    Browser
    chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
sorry i didn't mentioned it, there's no product key! it comes within the BIOS.

No Product Key is need to install Windows 8 on a OEM Pre-installed Windows 8 PC.
 

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

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
ok guys, thanks again!

just finished "theog" process and...it booted first time!

running the AS SSD the results were:

SSD.png

please note that it says "off/Alignment @ 4K Cluster"

do i have a problem?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
another strange thing: when i open "my computer it says my disk total space is 94,4GB and i have a Samsung 840Pro 128GB
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
another strange thing: when i open "my computer it says my disk total space is 94,4GB and i have a Samsung 840Pro 128GB

Where? Must have been the free space on that disk.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
under "my computer" the information below the SSD says 61GB free off 94,4GB!

so total disk space available is only 94,4GB. this is strange, or is it not?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
under "my computer" the information below the SSD says 61GB free off 94,4GB!

so total disk space available is only 94,4GB. this is strange, or is it not?

It means the partition Windows is installed on has 94.4GB and there might been other partitions and hidden space if the disk total size is 120GB.

Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Disk Management

Select the disk and see how many partitions it has.


Note:
I have a Samsung 840 with 250GB capacity but it actually has 232.76GB
So looking at those numbers, you can expect some numbers about 110GB or lower for the 120GB disk. See Disk Managment.

Just like with HDD's, the reported capacity is lower than on the box because disk manufacturers use the decimal system 1GB = 1000MB = 1000000000bytes where as the computer uses the binary system 1GB = 1024MB = 1073741824bytes.

Conclusion: 1GB from the factory is actually 1000000000/1024/1024/1024 = 0.931GB on the computer

Hope this explains it. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
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