Win 10 clean install to new ssd

stockton_2

I will offer my two pence re installing Windows 10.

Time is of the essence, just over a week or so to the deadline. Don't worry now about long-term solutions. Just get your computer a digital entitlement to Windows 10. You can do the fancy stuff later in your own good time.

Grab on old hard drive and do a very basic clean install of Windows 10 insert your Win 7 product key, when asked and validate right away. This worked for me on four computers.

With my latest installation though (computer 5) I discovered something different. When I did a clean install of Win 10 I put in the Win 7 product key and was told "This product key is being used on another computer".

So I did a very basic install of Win 7 and then did a forced upgrade from Win 7 to Win 10. The Win 10 install was validated automatically and the computer now has a digital entitlement, for life.

So you may be able to do clean install and validate or have to upgrade from Win 7 to Win 10. (Some product keys seem to be treated differently than others).

You only need to install the bare bones operating systems you dont have to install any other apps or programs. Just make sure you have digital entitlement before it is too late.

esuhl

Did I hear my name?! :-P

Yes -- the OP intentions should work out fine. As wongataa says, there's no need to install Windows 7 on the SSD and then upgrade to 10 -- you can just clean install Win10 using your Win 7 product key.

As for booting, you could leave the BIOS as it is with it booting the Win7 drive by default. If you then install Win10 onto the SSD, the bootloader (on the HDD) should be updated so you have two options.

Alternatively, as suggested, you could manually switch the BIOS to boot the SSD, and switch to the old HDD if you want to boot Win7... Or manually add a Win7 entry to the Win10 bootloader.

Imnoexpert_2

Thanks for your comments - it convinced me to carry on as planned.

I will document how I get on however....

See my separate post because I tried to flash upgrade the BIOs before doing this and I am in trouble and can't boot the PC to windows.

I guess then my first advice is KISS keep it simple stupid and don't upgrade the BIOS.


Aaaaaargh

Fightsback

Imnoexpert wrote: »

I guess then my first advice is KISS keep it simple stupid and don't upgrade the BIOS.


Aaaaaargh

Question:

When you upgraded the BIOS did you load BIOS defaults ?

Imnoexpert_2

No I just selected the file on the usb stick and pressed go. I should say I had also looked at a youtube video where a chap with acne and unkempt hair demonstrated how easy it was!

Fightsback

Ok, let's get some information here.

What is the exact model of motherboard and the download page from where you obtained the BIOS (or UEFI) ?

Imnoexpert_2

Asus P8 H61 -M LE/USB

I downloaded it from Asus but struggling now to find the page.

Imnoexpert_2

The Asus search tool is a bit iffy but now I have found the download page

http://www.asus.com/UK/supportonly/P8H61-M%20LEUSB3/HelpDesk_download

Fightsback

Imnoexpert wrote: »

Asus P8 H61 -M LE/USB

I downloaded it from Asus but struggling now to find the page.

I suppose you haven't updated the from new, I note one of the BIOS updates :

P8H61 BIOS 3602
1.Improve system stability.
2.Improve memory compatibility.
3.Support new CPUs. Please refer to our website at: http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx?SLanguage=en-us
* Enable support for Intel Next Gen 22nm Processor E1 stepping MP version CPU.
*Please refresh this Bios twice refer to manual, then need CLRTC.

Note highlighted in bold which is I suggest what you do, read the manual here for instructions:

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8H61/HelpDesk_Manual/

Imnoexpert_2

Thanks for all your help. I fear you think I know more than I do.

I'm struggling on this. I had downloaded the manual before I did it but can't find the reference to

"Please refresh this Bios twice "

refer to manual, then need CLRTC.

I did the flash of the BIOS twice is this the same as refreshing it? If not then what does it mean?What doees CLRTC mean?