asked on Replacing OEM install
Goal: replace the OEM install with generic Windows 8.1 from Microsoft's installer.
Below is the GPT layout of the machine in question. Partition number 4 is the Windows installation. The question is: can I simply install generic 8.1 to that partition without any ill effects on the UEFI bios, e.g. not booting properly?
Also, please advise where the best place to get generic 8.1 is. afaik, one is entitled to the generic installer these days.
Below is the GPT layout of the machine in question. Partition number 4 is the Windows installation. The question is: can I simply install generic 8.1 to that partition without any ill effects on the UEFI bios, e.g. not booting properly?
Also, please advise where the best place to get generic 8.1 is. afaik, one is entitled to the generic installer these days.
Model: ATA HGST HTS541010A9 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 1000GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/4096B
Partition Table: gpt
Disk Flags:
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
1 1049kB 683MB 682MB ntfs Basic data partition hidden, diag
2 683MB 955MB 273MB fat32 EFI system partition boot
3 955MB 1089MB 134MB Microsoft reserved partition msftres
4 1089MB 976GB 975GB ntfs Basic data partition
5 976GB 1000GB 24.6GB ntfs Basic data partition hidden
Windows 8LinuxHardware
Last Comment
CEHJ
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You're making an assumption that the OEM version of windows doesn't have any drivers for your hardware that is NOT in the retail distribution.
ASKER
You're making an assumption ...I'm not 100% certain what you're getting at there, but i'm not making any assumptions about drivers, i assure you. I might abandon the plan as i expect to find missing drivers if i install the generic system and i don't want the hassle.
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ASKER
I was thinking that you were wanting to go from the pre-installed version which was a Home edition to a professional edition.Nope
What is your ultimate goal? Just to get a clean version with no bloatware?Yes
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ASKER
It's probably not worth all the effort and cost to the client. If (when) it starts running slowly i'll probably put Debian on it after getting him used to cross-platform software. Then he'll think he's doubled his hardware spec
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media is a little unclear on this, but 8.1 -> 8.1 might be OK(?)