Stupid Question: Installing new SSD on GT70

I`m going to boot up my GT70 0NE on monday after sitting on my shelf in its box for a month lol.

I will get my Samsung 840 PRO on monday which I will use instead of the HDD that is standard with the GT70.
But I have to transfer all of the files to the new SSD, and I reckon you can`t just transfer them right over?

So what I`m aiming to do is
Remove old HDD - Install same files on the new SSD as well as removing the 128GB MSATA SSD from the system - Upgrading to Windows 8 which are free for MSI users.

So I`m wondering about how to do this process. Can anyone write down the steps for me. Where do I find the Windows 8 from MSI?

Thanks

 

A clean install of Windows is always recommended.

Here's Windows 8 installation steps from MSI.
MSI USA - Introducing Windows 8 - Upgrade Your PC

Also see the post by -=$tR|k3r=-
http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi...w-gtx-680m-owner-s-lounge-54.html#post8928616

Microsoft's Big Hidden Windows 8 Feature: Built-In Advertising

http://hothardware.com/News/Microsofts-Big-Hidden-Windows-8-Feature-BuiltIn-Advertising/

 

Thanks but still I`m very confused on some things.

First of all, moving the files from the stock HDD to the new SSD I will be installing. Does this involve ISO files and bootable USB flash since I do not have Windows 7 CD?

Second, the steps from MSI are only for people who have Windows 8. I don`t get any OS shipped with my GT70, only preinstalled. So how do I get hold on the Windows 8? ISO there too?

 

Nobody that knows? Might as well just buy the Windows 8 OEM and install from CD and call it a day. Much easier I reckon?

 

I wouldn't assume nobody knows..... perhaps folks are just not understanding your needs completely. For instance, WhatsThePoint has already given a valid answer to your OP..... both the WIN 7 and WIN 8 ISO's are readily available, so I am unclear myself, what the problem is..... ??? As far as files on your HDD, are you referring to your data files, such as multimedia, movies, photos, and the like? If so, just simply do a back-up of these. If you are referring to program files, we'll WIN 8 does a nice job of migration, but even such, you can simply reinstall these when you have upgraded the OS. If you are moving to WIN 8, why the concern for WIN 7? You see, I am a little confused myself here. Like I say, you can retain WIN 7 with the ISO, or just create recovery disk of your original factory load. As far as WIN 8, with Microsoft's Upgrade program you should be able to get this ISO for free, or $14.99 at the very least, so no need to purchase an OEM version of the OS. Heck, if you followed WhatsThePoint's post, you can even easily set-up a dual-boot WIN 7/WIN 8 system. So you see, I am a little confused myself....... but if you are looking to do a 'clean' install of WIN 8 (rather than an upgrade), then yeah, purchase an OEM version.



@WhatsThePoint.....

YES, the 'built in advertising'! I noticed this immediately, and I was amused how 'connected' we will all become with WIN 8. I am always tickled how folks are so easily persuaded to give up their privacy in the interest of convenience. No doubt this has already been achieved to a great extent, but the likes of WIN 8 draws us that much closer to total consumerism. Yes, we will all be very connected indeed, as we hurriedly sync all our mobile devices with our networks. Will there be any facets of our daily lives NOT privy to the marketeers? And the implications are far greater than this. Can anyone say 'VPN'? There was a time when I felt these somewhat unnecessary for average individuals, but now I am thinking a good idea for all, LOL!

 

@WhatsThePoint.....

YES, the 'built in advertising'! I noticed this immediately, and I was amused how 'connected' we will all become with WIN 8. I am always tickled how folks are so easily persuaded to give up their privacy in the interest of convenience. No doubt this has already been achieved to a great extent, but the likes of WIN 8 draws us that much closer to total consumerism. Yes, we will all be very connected indeed, as we hurriedly sync all our mobile devices with our networks. Will there be any facets of our daily lives NOT privy to the marketeers? And the implications are far greater than this. Can anyone say 'VPN'? There was a time when I felt these somewhat unnecessary for average individuals, but now I am thinking a good idea for all, LOL!

[/QUOTE]

How to disappear from the Internet forever - Technology on NBCNews.com

 

I'm doing the same thing, however I'm keeping my 750 GB drive in the secondary slot for data.
My SSD is also a Samsung but the 830 model.
Do I just install it as I would any ordinary drive or do I have to do something special to it? First time for me.

 

Here's the site for the Windows 8 upgrade: MSI Windows 8 Promo/Upgrade

As far as migrating these files you're referring to: if you're talking about personal data, then you can back them up to a USB flash drive or external hard drive, or a SD card, etc. Then just copy them back over (it's good to have a backup regardless). The windows 8 upgrade will take care of the leg work, really; when you perform the upgrade, it will seamlessly migrate your programs over.

That link I provided has another hyperlink for "full details", which may take you to Microsoft's site to further explain how the upgrade process works. If you need it broken down further, feel free to ask for a step by step guide, or do a quick search.

 

If you have an non Super Raid model put the SSD in the primary drive SATA III bay and the hard drive in the secondary SATA II bay and bootup from the hard drive that still has the factory installed OS on it.

Go to Control Panel>Admin Tools>Computer Management>Disk Management

In Disk Management there will appear long bars for each drive in the system.

The SSD should be initialized,set as basic volume and quick formated to NTFS/4096

After this is done shut down and remove the hard disk from the secondary bay.

Put your USB flash drive with the Windows 7 x64 installation files in a USB 2 port and bootup the notebook.

On bootup press Del to enter the bios.

Set the bios boot order to the SSD 1st,and Bigfoot Lan last>save and exit.

On bootup press F11 and select the Windows Installation media.

Choose keyboard layout,agree to licence,choose Custom Clean Installation>OK

The Windows Installation will begin by unpacking the needed files to the SSD.

If you are installing from a USB flash drive remove it during the 1st reboot.

Windows will continue to install after the reboot.

When Windows finishes installing install the Intel Chipset Installation Software.

After you have installed all the drivers needed for the hardware in your notebook run the Microsoft WEI so that Windows 7 is optimized for the SSD.

You can turn off hibernation to gain back 12GB of space on your SSD.

When your are satisfied that all is running well you can activate Windows.

Put the hard drive back into the secondary SATA II bay>bootup and press Del to enter the bios>check your boot order>save and exit.

The notebook should now boot to the SSD without pressing any keys.

During the 1st bootup with both drives in the notebook checkdisk may want to run.Let it run.

You can now full format the hard disk and use it as storage.

****Super Raid models would require a different procedure.

****Models that were shipped with 2 x hard drives in raid0 require a different procedure.

 

I have the 0ND model without dual drives, so no Super RAID configuration on it.
Appreciate the assistance there WTP! :thumbsup:

 

It is possible to install Windows 8 without using a key, and then once it is installed, install it again using your upgrade key (assuming you only have an upgrade key for use). If you have any questions, google it, it's out there.

 

In short: no. You can no longer install Windows 8 without a product key, unlike previous versions of Windows. It's required during setup. The upgrade key is not valid for clean installs either; only for upgrading from a previous version. If you attempt to install with an upgrade key, it won't take.

 

Actually, we're both wrong (sorta).

You can do a clean install with Upgrade media (or using the upgrade advisor program).

When it asks you to "Choose what to keep" you need to select the option "Nothing" and it will be the same as a clean install.

Clean Install Windows 8 with Upgrade Media | Windows 8 content from Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows

So while I was wrong, which I'm ok with, there really is a way to do a 'clean install' even with upgrade media. =D

 

I bought the $39 upgrade download and installed it directly onto a new SSD using the provided key as a Custom Clean Installation without any problem.

No registry change was necessary.

When the installation was complete it was automatically activated without a hitch.

I've since then reinstalled it 14 times onto the same SSD in the same GT780DX notebook after formatting the SSD.and every time it has been automatically activated.

I find no performance difference on any of my SSDs if they were cleaned using Secure Erase,Diskpart or Erase/Delete partitions in Windows 7/8 setup.

 

So this is a full on clean install, and not a "clean install "? I never pegged upgrades as the equivalent just by keeping nothing - I always throw caution to the wind with upgrades.

Good to know!