Swapping HD for SSD question in new laptop

I just took delivery on CTO Envy 17t Quad series PC (E4S78AV). I plan to replace the C: Drive with a SSD, preferably an Intel 530, but they're still not out.

The question I have is this. When I get the SSD, should I do a clean reinstall of Win 8 Pro or can I just clone the current C: drive and continue along my merry way?

I've always heard that a new SSD should have a clean install when used as the OS drive. Does that also hold true for Windows 8?

Thanks

 

Clean installs are always better, but you can clone the original HDD to the SSD. Just make sure the program you use will correctly align the SSD.
I used Macrium Reflect free to clone my 17t Quad to a Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, a couple days ago, all went well and it was running good.
Then decided to put a clean install on it, was noticeable faster.

 

Thanks Dave. That's what I thought. Interestingly enough, I just ordered a Samsung 840 Pro SSD last night so when it gets here, it's a clean install for me. Thanks

 

Your welcome.
Let us know how it went.

I'm happy with this laptop, even with the keyboard and screen flex.
My last one is 5 years old, with a SATA2 Intel ssd, it is pretty fast for it's age.

 

I also used Macrium Reflect Free to clone my 750GB HDD to an Intel 520 240GB drive and it worked flawlessly.

 

For future members who do this, I loaded Win8Pro from a disc that I already had. Ran a clean install on the Samsung 840 Pro, let Windows use the whole thing. The standard install found most of the hardware. I was even able to go online wirelessly without loading any drivers at all, the install CD had them it seems.

The install did not ask for a Windows 8 Pro code, or to activate the OS. It seems that must be hard coded in the laptop. Sweet!

There were some yellow (!)'s in the Device Manager. First thing to load are the Intel Chipset drivers. Then start knocking them down one by one. Load the Intel Video before the NVIDIA drivers, that's a no brainer.

The only thing I could not figure out was the device that displayed the following:

ACPI/VEN_HPQ&DEV_6007
ACPI\HPQ6007
*HPQ6007

I Googled this and came up with nothing. Not even searching here returned any info. So I pulled the SSD, put the original drive back in and booted, then went through everything in Device Manager until I found it. It was:

HP Mobile Data Protection Sensor

Loaded that driver (HP3DG6NB) and the (!) was gone. I post this here in case anyone searches for this device here in the forum in the future.

 

Thanks for the info, had this flagged in Device Manager, but hadn't looked into it yet.

 

In clean install how do you use the existing license with installed windows?

 

The OEM license is embedded in the UEFI, you don't need to do anything, during the clean install it will automatically use the existing license.

 

I also want to clean install in an SSD. But where can I download Windows 8 from?

 

Best thing to do is borrow one from someone, since your laptop will use it's own key it doesn't matter what the source is.
Don't recommend using non-official versions due to corruption and/or malware/viruses.
You can check the MS site, should have 30 day trial.
If you want to install Win8.1, you can get the ISO from MS.
I am using it on my desktop, no issues. Will be putting it on this laptop soon.

 

Is it a free upgrade for Windows 8 users?

 

Yes it is free if you already have Windows 8.
It's beta now, but very stable for me.
Always best to make a backup of your current setup, just in case.

 

Yes the beta version if always free. But the actual release too will be free for Windows 8 users?

 

Yes it will be a free upgrade. It's like a service pack.

 

Thank you. I can't wait for SSD's price to decline so that I can afford a 512GB SSD