Installing a SSD into a new laptop.

[Wasabee!]

Correct as otherwise it's gonna come with all the crap bloatware they bundle with computers these days.

Unless it's a Dell business machine.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

I just chat with a microsoft online chat help. The lady told me that when I do install a new drive, the original key wil not be valid anymore. So then I will have to download a retail copy of windows, which is transferable. She said the pre installed windows is bound to the original architecture of the laptop, and the moment I change the drive, is is not valid anymore.

Can anyone maybe tell me if this is the case, or what must I do then.

 

[ponder]

Key should be in the bios, worse case you might just have to reactivate it.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

Key should be in the bios, worse case you might just have to reactivate it.

So you reckon this lady from microsoft is wrong?

 

[blue-eye-boy]

Just spoke to another chat assistant from microsoft, which told me that I will just have to get the assistance of the product activation department. She will explain in detail now.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

I can install it using the product key on the laptop. The activation will be an issue, but I will have to phone them to unblock it to be used with the new hardware.

Thanks

 

[ponder]

So you reckon this lady from microsoft is wrong?

Yes

 

[ponder]

I can install it using the product key on the laptop. The activation will be an issue, but I will have to phone them to unblock it to be used with the new hardware.

Thanks

It's a quick process.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

It's a quick process.

Okay thanks, now just for the wait for the laptop. Ssd arrived just now.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Fatality07]

If you already have the laptop?

Yes and don't worry about the serial key, i just downloaded a copy of windows 8.1 Single Language and it automatically activated due to the key being embedded in the bios.

Run the crucial scanner to see if the crucial ssds are compatible with the laptop?
Link - http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/systemscanner

 

[blue-eye-boy]

If you already have the laptop?

Yes and don't worry about the serial key, i just downloaded a copy of windows 8.1 Single Language and it automatically activated due to the key being embedded in the bios.

Run the crucial scanner to see if the crucial ssds are compatible with the laptop?
Link - http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/systemscanner

Where did you download your copy?

 

[ponder]

Where did you download your copy?

Have a read here, http://forums.mydigitallife.info/forums/42-Windows-8

Bookmark that forum as it's a great site.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

Have a read here, http://forums.mydigitallife.info/forums/42-Windows-8

Bookmark that forum as it's a great site.

Thanks, will do

 

[CataclysmZA]

Alternatively, you can download the OS using Microsoft's tool: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

Hit the "create media" button and you'll download a tool which allows you to download a Windows 8.1 ISO to match your SKU. Most laptops now embed the product key into the BIOS so reactivating won't be an issue. Even then, you're changing the hard drive, not the motherboard, so the license still applies according to the changes to Microsoft's EULA for OEM and DSP Windows licenses.

You can also clone your drive over to the SSD if you have a USB to SATA dock or converter for it. You can use Macrium Reflect to clone over your OS, then boot from the new drive when its done.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

Alternatively, you can download the OS using Microsoft's tool: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

Hit the "create media" button and you'll download a tool which allows you to download a Windows 8.1 ISO to match your SKU.

I suppose this is done on the laptop itself?

 

[Johnatan56]

I suppose this is done on the laptop itself?

Any windows device, yes.
And linux with wine and whatever you use to run .exe on Macs.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

So, while waiting for the laptop. Which only arrive next week, I can download windows 8.1 on my windows 7 home pc, and copy the file to a usb stick?

 

[Johnatan56]

So, while waiting for the laptop. Which only arrive next week, I can download windows 8.1 on my windows 7 home pc, and copy the file to a usb stick?

yep.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

yep.

Schweet. Thanks for the info

 

[blue-eye-boy]

Just to let you guys know, I received the Laptop, and started the SSD Process. First I tried cloning the drive, but upon restarting with the ssd installed, the laptop just kept on restarting. So eventually I created recovery disks with the installed software, installed the ssd again, and "recovered" the software. I went this route, otherwise I needed to manually download all the drivers and utilities from msi, or so I thought.

But everything is up and running now, glad I did install the ssd, so far so good....

Thanks for all the help.