SSD Windows 8 Boot Help

[INPTTT]

I am building a new PC, and I took my old Samsung 512gb Pro which had windows 8 installed on it out of my laptop. If I hook this up to my pc, will I be able to boot windows 8 from it?

 

[RealBeast]

It is pretty unlikely that a laptop Windows 8 install will work in a new desktop build, the chipsets and drivers are quite different and that would cause issues.

Do you have installation media (DVD or USB) if you need it, which you probably will?

 

[INPTTT]

It is pretty unlikely that a laptop Windows 8 install will work in a new desktop build, the chipsets and drivers are quite different and that would cause issues.

Do you have installation media (DVD or USB) if you need it, which you probably will?

It didn't come with any sadly.

 

[RealBeast]

You need to obtain the install image (or disk) en_windows_8.1_with_update_x64_dvd_4065090.iso to do an install.

 

[USAFRet]

And aside from not booting at all, you will need an actual license for that new PC. This is the part that actually costs.

You can't use the license key from your laptop in that new desktop.

Time to buy an OS.

 

[INPTTT]

And aside from not booting at all, you will need an actual license for that new PC. This is the part that actually costs.

You can't use the license key from your laptop in that new desktop.

Time to buy an OS.

How would windows know? I just moving the SSD from one computer to another, no data is being transported right? I don't understand this stuff..

 

[USAFRet]

And aside from not booting at all, you will need an actual license for that new PC. This is the part that actually costs.

You can't use the license key from your laptop in that new desktop.

Time to buy an OS.

How would windows know? I just moving the SSD from one computer to another, no data is being transported right? I don't understand this stuff..

Operation and licensing

Operation - installing on this PC, and moving to that PC...probably will not boot
When you install the OS, chipset drivers are installed. Different chipset, no boot for you.

Licensing - During the OS install, it will demand a valid license key. If you have one, great.
But then when you try to move that drive to a different PC...it will become unactivated. Yes, it does check.
This license is for this hardware. Next time it checks...it sees all new hardware and unactivates itself.
If this is an actual Retail license, you can reactivate it. But it is not automatic.


What is the issue whereby you can't just do it the normal way, and install the OS in the system where it will live?
Boot order problems?

 

[INPTTT]

And aside from not booting at all, you will need an actual license for that new PC. This is the part that actually costs.

You can't use the license key from your laptop in that new desktop.

Time to buy an OS.

How would windows know? I just moving the SSD from one computer to another, no data is being transported right? I don't understand this stuff..

Operation and licensing

Operation - installing on this PC, and moving to that PC...probably will not boot
When you install the OS, chipset drivers are installed. Different chipset, no boot for you.

Licensing - During the OS install, it will demand a valid license key. If you have one, great.
But then when you try to move that drive to a different PC...it will become unactivated. Yes, it does check.
This license is for this hardware. Next time it checks...it sees all new hardware and unactivates itself.
If this is an actual Retail license, you can reactivate it. But it is not automatic.


What is the issue whereby you can't just do it the normal way, and install the OS in the system where it will live?
Boot order problems?

My laptop just came with windows 8.1, I bought an SSD for it and migrated the OS to the SSD, and I didn't know If it was possible to just hook the SSD up to my new desktop and use that os. The laptop didn't come with any discs or anything.

 

[USAFRet]

My laptop just came with windows 8.1, I bought an SSD for it and migrated the OS to the SSD, and I didn't know If it was possible to just hook the SSD up to my new desktop and use that os. The laptop didn't come with any discs or anything.

No, you can't
Your new desktop needs its own OS.

 

[RealBeast]

How would windows know? I just moving the SSD from one computer to another, no data is being transported right? I don't understand this stuff..

Well, as I said that won't work for the reasons stated. Windows 8 OEM can be transferred to a new computer though, unlike Windows 7 OEM -- at least under the license. The issue that you have is install media is not readily available.

 

[USAFRet]

How would windows know? I just moving the SSD from one computer to another, no data is being transported right? I don't understand this stuff..

Well, as I said that won't work for the reasons stated. Windows 8 OEM can be transferred to a new computer though, unlike Windows 7 OEM -- at least under the license. The issue that you have is install media is not readily available.

Actually, not even with Win 8.
There was a short window just after release where the Win 8 license agreement said 'Yes'.
That has long since been changed.

 

[RealBeast]

My bad, I was thinking of an OEM install by the user (such as purchasing an OEM license from Newegg, which can be transfered in 8/8.1/10), not from a pre-manufactured PC.

 

[INPTTT]

How would windows know? I just moving the SSD from one computer to another, no data is being transported right? I don't understand this stuff..

Well, as I said that won't work for the reasons stated. Windows 8 OEM can be transferred to a new computer though, unlike Windows 7 OEM -- at least under the license. The issue that you have is install media is not readily available.

Actually, not even with Win 8.
There was a short window just after release where the Win 8 license agreement said 'Yes'.
That has long since been changed.

Thought I would keep you updated and tell you that it worked.

 

[USAFRet]

Thought I would keep you updated and tell you that it worked.

What worked, and exactly what did you do?

 

[INPTTT]

Thought I would keep you updated and tell you that it worked.

What worked, and exactly what did you do?

I built my new pc, hooked up the ssd with windows 8.1 on it from my laptop, and booted it off of that just fine.