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    How to install install Windows 8 on different HDD on Q551LN

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by crazyfool33, Apr 21, 2015.

  1. crazyfool33

    crazyfool33 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi :)

    I just bought a ASUS Q551LN (15" convertible Windows 8.1) laptop.

    It has a 1 TB HDD, I bought a faster 256 GB SSD hard drive and want to run Windows on the new SSD only (and remove the 1 TB).

    How do I go about this so that I still get my included Windows 8.1 key activated? The laptop came with Windows activated - no DVD/USB or even a Windows serial number anywhere.

    I got different answers from the salesperson (who said use "Backtracker" to make a USB image) and others. Should I use Backtracker or is there an easier way?

    Thanks.
     
    crazyfool33, Apr 21, 2015
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  2. PatchySan

    PatchySan Om Noms Kit Kat

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    Your product key is embedded in the BIOS so you don't need to worry on that part. Visit Microsoft's Installation Media Page to get your clean Windows 8.1 ISO by downloading and running the application.

    It will prompt you what language and edition of Windows 8.1 you would like to download on to your system and how it will be distributed (USB Flash or ISO). Choose the edition that matches on your current system so if you got Windows 8.1 Pro make sure you download that and not the other. Bear in mind if you choose the ISO file you will need to burn this image on to a DVD disc.

    I would then backup your files and drivers on to an external drive for future reference. Once done, restart the system and try to boot into your Windows 8.1 installation media instead of your hard drive. Follow the instructions and install it on to your new SSD drive. Hopefully by then you can get your fresh Windows 8.1 OS up and running.
     
    PatchySan, Apr 21, 2015
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  3. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    You could get an image program to copy everything bit for bit and expand your main partition (keep any restore partitions to their original size).
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 21, 2015
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  4. crazyfool33

    crazyfool33 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks Patchy! The sales guy asked me to use "Backtracker" software. ( http://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1008641)

    I'd prefer a clean install without any ASUS bloatware. If I use the Microsoft utility, will the Windows be activated after format and install?
     
    crazyfool33, Apr 21, 2015
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  5. PatchySan

    PatchySan Om Noms Kit Kat

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    If you like a clean system (i.e no bloatware) then you are not required to use the Backtracker software.

    You may be prompted to activate once you installed Windows but you shouldn't really have any issues with this since the activation keys are embedded in the BIOS if it was preinstalled by the manufacturer.
     
    PatchySan, Apr 21, 2015
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