boot of Windows 8 Pro 64bit DVD

[csonni]

I got to the Drive Partition and wasn't given any formatting options, so I just clicked Format. I assume that will be NTSC.

[Midknyte]

You mean NTFS, but yes that would be it.

This might help. It has screenshots too.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/window...all-part-1.htm

[csonni]

Installed. Now all the updates so I can install 8.1

Thanks.

[csonni]

I've been reading up a bit on how to prepare an SSD for Windows. One place says I should enable AHCI before even installing Windows through the BIOS. Obviously, that's a bit late. Also, enabling TRIM and disabling Windows auto fragmenting. Any comments?

[csonni]

Bummer. I went to activate Windows and found out that the disk I purchased is only meant for upgrades. Not happy. I'm going to have to contact the seller and complain with PayPal.

[Midknyte]

Ah tough luck. But yes, you should have set the bios to AHCI instead of Legacy/IDE for the SSD.

[csonni]

I may have to reinstall. As far as upgrade goes, it appears MS found a defect in Activating clean installs which was corrected in 8.1
Is there a way to enable AHCI without reinstalling?

I see BIOS settings when pressing F12 on boot up. Can I enable AHCI through here? And then reinstall Windows after a fresh format?

[Midknyte]

It's actually more hassle to change to AHCI after the fact. You're better off doing a reinstall.

Yes, go into the bios and look for IDE controller settings (or something like that). If you see Legacy/compatibility/IDE, change that to AHCI. Format and install like normal after that.

[csonni]

OK. Let me get this straight. I can go into the BIOS and do that before I format the drive? And then I would boot from Windows 8 DVD and format then? And then reinstall?

[csonni]

I'm in the BIOS but I can't seem to select AHCI. When I hit Return, ATA just goes from plain to green and back again. It says the factory default is ATA.

GOT IT

[Midknyte]

I can go into the BIOS and do that before I format the drive?

Yes. You should do this before you even start the Windows install. Format and install from the Win8 setup.

GOT IT? So the AHCI setting took?

[csonni]

Yes. I toggled it so the AHCI turned green. Then I got the warning that my system might not start up. I just pushed F12 and I am now downloading updates.