I would ordinarily use that, then upgrade to 8.1 in situ, but if I understand you correctcly, the Win 8.0 disc would not install in this case because of the BIOS encoding, yes?
Where does one get a Windows 8.1 disk? Do mean an Retail disk? I have a Windows 8.0 Upgrade disk from my employer's Work at Home program. If you know someone with a Windows 8.1 disk you could borrow it for your installation." Since yours came with 8.1 you cannot use the Windows 8 installation disk. Unfortunately while there is a Windows 8 disk available for public download there is not a Windows 8.1 disk.
" You would not have to buy another copy of Windows as you are licensed to run it on that computer and the Key Code is embedded in the BIOS so all you would have to do is run an OEM Microsoft restore DVD and it will activate. If that does not work, I'll restore the OEM drive in its original position, install the SSD in the other bay, and try the bundled Samsung migration software. I think my first step would be setup the computer, make a set of Recovery DVDs or use a 32GB USB stick, remove the OEM 2TB drive, install the SSD, and try the Recovery DVDs. Still, the worst that happens is you format the drive and try another method."
The problem here is that the install from the recovery disks will proceed almost to the end before flaking out if the drive size will block completion. Still, I would try that as the first attempt. "The recovery DVDs made from the HP Recovery program will not likely work because they will only install to a drive at least as large as the smallest drive offered on that model series which is either a 750 gig or 1 TB.
Had you planned to leave the original drive with the files and software on it?"Īfter installing the SSD as Primary, I would format the OEM 2TB drive and use it for data. "You do not need to change anything in the BIOS and whether you have both drives in while you load software on the SSD, or just the SSD depends on how you do it. If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. If you need help with cloning let us know.
Many outlets sell the Samsung SSD with cloning software. Why are you opposed to cloning the drives? With the 2-bay setup, cloning would be very easy. If you know someone with a Windows 8.1 disk you could borrow it for your installation. You would not have to buy another copy of Windows as you are licensed to run it on that computer and the Key Code is embedded in the BIOS so all you would have to do is run an OEM Microsoft restore DVD and it will activate. Still, the worst that happens is you format the drive and try another method. The recovery DVDs made from the HP Recovery program will not likely work because they will only install to a drive at least as large as the smallest drive offered on that model series which is either a 750 gig or 1 TB. Had you planned to leave the original drive with the files and software on it? You do not need to change anything in the BIOS and whether you have both drives in while you load software on the SSD, or just the SSD depends on how you do it. Youtube has some videos by which fully explain: You want to place the SSD in the drive bay originally occupied by the single factory hard drive and put the original drive in the bay delivered empty from the factory. Yes you have picked the correct SSD.still generally regarded as the best on the market and you have the right 2d drive cable and caddy kit, too.