Prep work before installing SSD (Desktop Help)

[Jiggytrav]

I have a Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD on the way for my desktop computer. Right now I have a desktop PC from iBuypower that has a 1TB HDD with Windows 8 on it. When I get the SSD, I want to make it the primary drive and use the 1TB drive for data storage. Doing searches provided a lot of results that were confusing and ambiguous, so I thought asking here would be a good choice. Here are my questions:

1) My motherboard (Gigabyte B75M-HD3) has 1 Sata 6GB/s port and several Sata 3GB/s ports. I assume I'll want to use the fastest one for the SSD and the slower one for the HDD (the HDD is currently using the 6GB/s port).

2) I see that most recommendations say to install Windows 8 fresh instead of using Samsung's Smart Migration tool that comes with the drive. My current HDD has less than 256GB of storage taken up, so I was hoping the migration tool might work okay? I'd like to know the proper procedure for both ways (migrating versus fresh install).

MIGRATING:

If I decide to migrate, how does it work? I assume I would put my HDD on the Sata 3G port and the SSD on the 6GB port. Then do I boot normally into Windows 8 on my HDD and run the migration software from there? Or do I need to boot from a CD/DVD that comes with the drive. Does the migration software format the SSD? When the migration is complete, I simply delete everything off of the HDD and use it for data?

FRESH INSTALL:

If I decide to fresh install, I assume I'll want to use a Windows 8 bootable installation disc to install Windows 8 on my SSD. I currently do not have a Windows 8 disc (iBuypower did not send me a disc), but I do have a Windows 8 key on the label on the side of my computer. I assume that I could just download the Windows 8 installation ISO, make a disc, and then install a fresh version of Win8 on the SSD, right? Or could I make a Win8 install disc from my current version installed on the HDD? At any rate, when it is done installing Win8, I just set my Bios to boot from the SSD instead of the HDD?

What about Windows 8 activation? If I try to active this new fresh install of Windows 8 on my new drive, will it automatically deactivate the Win8 install on my old HDD, or would I need to call MS for activation?

Thanks for any help, tips, or comments!

 

[yoji]

follow the instructions for the software if you migrating.. they usually give you idiot proof instructions (don't prove me wrong!! 😉 and yes - Yo udef want to use the fastest SATA for your SSD

You cant create a win8 clean install disk from your existing install.. so yes.. download ISO and burn the install disc.. take out old HDD.. fit SSD. .and then install Win 8 clean.. then install back you old HDD (and make sure it not boot) then you will have all your old data avail still (assuming you not got disc encryption enabled etc.....and your apps will need to be reinstalled). you can delete th eold windows folders on SSD when you sure you got all your data organised.
And activation.. use your key on the new Win8 build and since you just changed the HDD - it will probably activate just fine without need to call MS. The old HDD will not be booting to windows - so just ignore it.. it will get tidied up when you tidy up th eold HDD per my above comment.

HTH
Cheers

 

[Jiggytrav]

follow the instructions for the software if you migrating.. they usually give you idiot proof instructions (don't prove me wrong!! 😉 and yes - Yo udef want to use the fastest SATA for your SSD

You cant create a win8 clean install disk from your existing install.. so yes.. download ISO and burn the install disc.. take out old HDD.. fit SSD. .and then install Win 8 clean.. then install back you old HDD (and make sure it not boot) then you will have all your old data avail still (assuming you not got disc encryption enabled etc.....and your apps will need to be reinstalled). you can delete th eold windows folders on SSD when you sure you got all your data organised.
And activation.. use your key on the new Win8 build and since you just changed the HDD - it will probably activate just fine without need to call MS. The old HDD will not be booting to windows - so just ignore it.. it will get tidied up when you tidy up th eold HDD per my above comment.

HTH
Cheers

Thanks for the reply. I will try the migration first. In the event that it does not work and I need to do a clean install, where do I download the Windows 8 installation ISO? Can you get that directly from MS if I put in my key? iBuypower did not send a Win8 installation disc, and though I requested one online through their website, I have yet to receive it.

 

[yoji]

Thanks for the reply. I will try the migration first. In the event that it does not work and I need to do a clean install, where do I download the Windows 8 installation ISO? Can you get that directly from MS if I put in my key? iBuypower did not send a Win8 installation disc, and though I requested one online through their website, I have yet to receive it.

Come on!!!.. want me wipe your nose for you too?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=windows+8+ISO

http://www.freedownloadwindows8.com/windows-8-iso.html

Cheers

 

[Jiggytrav]

Thanks for the reply. I will try the migration first. In the event that it does not work and I need to do a clean install, where do I download the Windows 8 installation ISO? Can you get that directly from MS if I put in my key? iBuypower did not send a Win8 installation disc, and though I requested one online through their website, I have yet to receive it.

Come on!!!.. want me wipe your nose for you too?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=windows+8+ISO

http://www.freedownloadwindows8.com/windows-8-iso.html

Cheers

Why yes, yes I do! ;-)

Problem is, trying to download it the "official" way is not working since my copy of Windows 8 is a "volume license" supplied from iBuypower. It appears my only choices are to 1) wait for iBuypower to send me the install disc, or 2) download the ISO via torrent, which I do not want to do with the risk of getting a virus. Or am I still missing something (therefore fulfilling your "idiot" prophecy)? I don't know why it has to be so complicated... I know how to physically install the drive, I know how to install Windows, I just can't legitimately get an ISO of Windows 8 to install from my DVD drive or USB.

 

[Jiggytrav]

SSD came today. Used the Samsung Migration Assistant with great success! All in all, it cloned about 150GB from my HDD to the new SSD in about 30 minutes. Even better news is that my Windows reinstallation disc is on the way as well, so if I want to do a clean install, I'll now have that option as well.

Thanks for the help.