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G75VX-BHI7N11 Windows 8 Want to replace original SATA HDD with new SSD drive

OrdinaryGamer
Level 7
Hello fellow Republic of Gamers,

I've just spent the past 2 hours searching the forum/google, etc. to try and find a simple answer to what appears to be an necessary complicated problem.

Goal: Install new Crucial M500 240GB SSD has my primary drive (OS/Apps) and then use the original SATA HDD (spinning drive) that came with the machine as a storage drive.

Problem/Question: It appears that Asus no longer supports the AI Recovery Disc creator for Windows 8. How can I install Windows 8 on my new Crucical SSD hard drive, if the recovery partition is only accessible for the SATA HDD (spinning drive) ?

I've searched a lot of threads and thought I was close to understanding what I needed to do, but I feel like the core question hasn't directly been answered. Please let me know if I can provide any further info. I was very excited to get my new SSD in the mail today and then depression set in once I realized how complicated it is now that Asus stopped providing the AI Recovery tool.

I'm counting on you rewben 😉
Asus G75VX-BHI7N11


  • Windows 8 Professional 64-Bit w/ Media Center

  • Intel Core i7-3630QM CPU @ 2.40GHz
  • GeForce GTX 670M 3GB GDDR5
  • 16 GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM
  • Crucial M500 240GB SSD (OS) + Hitachi 5400 RPM 1TB HDD (Storage)
  • 39'' Vizio 1080p TV/ HANNspree 23" Monitor


370 Views
27 REPLIES 27

OrdinaryGamer
Level 7
I seem to be stuck at like 95% with the Asus Backtrack, see screenshot below...its been like that for an hour or so..getting nervous 😕

http://imgur.com/Bt2DsgY

@Adamsyes, my laptop came with Windows 8 and just last week I purchased the Windows 8 Pro w/ Media Center license from Microsoft. I can't imagine that purchasing an OEM Win8 disc would be necessary; especially since people replace hard drives all the time. I also understand that the license key is stored in the BIOS these days so its machine specific, not HDD specific.

Quick poll -- Should I keep waiting to see if Backtrack finally finishes or reboot and try again?

Also, another thought I had. Can't I install the SSD has the secondary and then boot into Windows Recovery at startup and tell Windows to install on the SSD and then reformat the original HDD?

Ps. No worries @rewben, I appreciate your help and I don't expect you to remember every little detail along the way 😛
Asus G75VX-BHI7N11


  • Windows 8 Professional 64-Bit w/ Media Center

  • Intel Core i7-3630QM CPU @ 2.40GHz
  • GeForce GTX 670M 3GB GDDR5
  • 16 GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM
  • Crucial M500 240GB SSD (OS) + Hitachi 5400 RPM 1TB HDD (Storage)
  • 39'' Vizio 1080p TV/ HANNspree 23" Monitor


rewben
Level 13
afaik, the process should take about an hour. you should wait for a bit.

I started at midnight and its now 2AM here (New England, USA). Rarely I'm seeing the HDD white LED blink...still no movement on the progress bar.

I bout a Crucial M500, 240GB. I've always been a fan if their RAM so I figured I'd try their SSD as well.

Why can't manufacturers just provide OEM discs? This is why people pirate Windows...
Asus G75VX-BHI7N11


  • Windows 8 Professional 64-Bit w/ Media Center

  • Intel Core i7-3630QM CPU @ 2.40GHz
  • GeForce GTX 670M 3GB GDDR5
  • 16 GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM
  • Crucial M500 240GB SSD (OS) + Hitachi 5400 RPM 1TB HDD (Storage)
  • 39'' Vizio 1080p TV/ HANNspree 23" Monitor


OrdinaryGamer
Level 7
I want to also point out the process I've done thus far:

1.) Ran Asus Backtrack program and choose the backup system factory settings using a Kingston 64GB USB 3.0 drive.

2.) Unplugged laptop, removed battery and opened the case. I first installed (2) 8GB DDR3 Crucial RAM sticks in the two available slots. Confirmed RAM is compatible.

3.) Removed existing HDD and installed new SSD drive. Then put the case/battery/power cable back and booted the machine.

4.) At boot up I hit the ESC key as instructed and selected to restore my PC using the USB stick which it recognized. Then proceeded to click "Next". Then everything was progressing fast and now its still stuck at what I consider to be 95%.

Was I supposed to boot into the BIOS menu first and change any settings prior to starting the recovery? I didn't think anything of it because Backtracker instantly recognized the USB drive...
Asus G75VX-BHI7N11


  • Windows 8 Professional 64-Bit w/ Media Center

  • Intel Core i7-3630QM CPU @ 2.40GHz
  • GeForce GTX 670M 3GB GDDR5
  • 16 GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM
  • Crucial M500 240GB SSD (OS) + Hitachi 5400 RPM 1TB HDD (Storage)
  • 39'' Vizio 1080p TV/ HANNspree 23" Monitor


OrdinaryGamer
Level 7
So I waited until 3:00 AM (I gave it another hour) and the progress bar still did not move. So I rebooted the PC and tried again and repeated the same steps and it said "Installing recovery partition", got to the same point again and failed. So what I did this time was put the original HDD into slot 2 so I could boot back into Windows 8. I then reformatted my 64GB Kingston USB drive (even though it was brand new) and re-did the steps with Asus Backtracker, which completed successfully ---- Screenshot Here .

This time around I'm going to enter my BIOS first and enable EFI and then run the recovery software via the USB recovery I just made and I will disable the regular HDD in slot 2 and see if I can get anywhere. If all else fails, I'm hoping I can boot into Windows Recovery mode and install Windows 8 onto the SSD and then delete/reformat the HDD using NTFS. Its getting late, its now 4:50 AM EST here...I thought this would be much easier... 😕

Side Note: A bunch of new partitions showed up on my PC, not sure why at this time but here's a screenshot
Random Partitions (I have a 1TB HDD and a 240GB SSD and a 64GB Sandisk USB Drive)

I posted some more screenshots for those interested you can look at them HERE

I vow to not sleep until I get this working! IRL I am a Wireless Network Engineer and Computer Hobbyist --- I've been building PCs/fixing/using Linux/Mac OS/ Windows 95-Windows8 since I was a kid and this is really eating at my soul!
Asus G75VX-BHI7N11


  • Windows 8 Professional 64-Bit w/ Media Center

  • Intel Core i7-3630QM CPU @ 2.40GHz
  • GeForce GTX 670M 3GB GDDR5
  • 16 GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM
  • Crucial M500 240GB SSD (OS) + Hitachi 5400 RPM 1TB HDD (Storage)
  • 39'' Vizio 1080p TV/ HANNspree 23" Monitor


rewben
Level 13
i am not sure what really happened at 95% 😕 have you done the gpt disk conversion for your ssd?

rewben wrote:
i am not sure what really happened at 95% 😕 have you done the gpt disk conversion for your ssd?


@rewben. I'm sorry man, I've been out of the loop for so long. I primarily deal with fiber optics/managed switches/routers, etc. I am WAAY out of the hardware game (but I'm still trying!) What is gpt disk conversion?

The problem cleared up once I rebooted and when into the BIOS and enabled EFI and then it ran through with no problems in like 10-15 minutes and now I'm up and running on my SSD drive. There is one problem though (I hate how the recovery console does not allow you to partition disk space. Remember, I only have (2) hard drives; 240GB SSD as the primary/os/some games and then the former primary HDD in the secondary slot (which I haven't wiped yet. But when I look at My Computer I have 4 random partitions that don't add up to me. Can you look at this screen shot and tell me what's up? CLICK HERE FOR SCREENSHOT What programs do you recommend for Partitioning active drives?

Also, Windows said I have software that needed to be safely removed and it was called "PCI to PCI Bridge", I've never seen that below...

PS - This Would Have Saved A LOT of Time:
How to create a bootable Windows 8 recovery tool
OR Create a USB recovery drive Microsoft Article
Asus G75VX-BHI7N11


  • Windows 8 Professional 64-Bit w/ Media Center

  • Intel Core i7-3630QM CPU @ 2.40GHz
  • GeForce GTX 670M 3GB GDDR5
  • 16 GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM
  • Crucial M500 240GB SSD (OS) + Hitachi 5400 RPM 1TB HDD (Storage)
  • 39'' Vizio 1080p TV/ HANNspree 23" Monitor


Minitool partition Wizard Home will allow you to fix your partitions any way you want them, free tool. Exactly like the old Partition Magic Full supports UEIF GPT and Dynamic disk.

I can't help you with the "PCI to PCI Bridge" but you might try to update your Chipset drivers, you'll have to run them from CMD with admin, use switches -overall -override You can get the latest from Intel or Asus from Asus download for your model.

Rewben does have how to create a UEIF 64 Bit USB bootable thumb drive in his Upgrade notes and Guides thread.
G752VY-DH72 Win 10 Pro
512 GB M.2 Samsung 960 Pro
1 TB Samsung 850 pro 2.5 format
980m GTX 4 GB
32GB DDR 4 Standard RAM

Z97 PRO WiFi I7 4790K
Windows 10 Pro
Z97 -A
Windows 10 Pro

GottiBoi55
Level 10
I glad it all worked out for you in the end my friend!!!

I would keep your SSD minimal, just apps to use mostly!
remove all the "bloatware" you don't need!!
Put your music, pictures, videos, and games on the factory HDD.

Now a days most games take up way too much space so it works out better to install on the HDD!
BF3 for example, 2 disks, and a 6 GB download update. (40 GB total)
I have no problems with this configuration (only load times are a little shower), and game play takes no hit in performance!

GottiBoi55
Asus
G750JZ-DS71 Windows 10 Pro (x64)
Intel® Core™ i7 4700HQ (2.40GHz)
Samsung
24GB Memory DDR3 1600 MHz SDRAM
SanDisk
M.2 SSD 2x128GB in Raid 0 / WD-HGST-1TB HDD 7500-RPM
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 880M 4 GB GDDR5 VRAM
Second Monitor: Shar
p Aquos 32"

Tomislav
Level 11
wow this was a painful process for you. Thats why I always do fresh installs, simply it's simpler to install all those apps later on your new ssd/hdd then to battle like this. Good work bro you did it! Btw crucial ssd have the reputation as one of most reliable on the market and I figure this is more important, than having the fastest ssd. After all compared to a HDD all SSDs are superfast!
Cheers!
ASUS G75VX
Win 8, i7-3630QM, 2,4 GHz, GeForce GTX 670MX, 8 GB Ram,120 Gb Samsung 840 SSD+750 Gb HDD