G75VX - is there a legal way to backup Windows 8?

[greypigeon]

You may also check this: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thr...tition-Creator

Features
Create a complete image of the Windows installation
Official Microsoft method for system recovery with some modifications
Make use of built-in Windows 7/8 software but with added options in a custom menu
Bit-Locker is supported (but not TrueCrypt)
Support for UEFI/GPT
USB recovery media creator in Windows 7/8
Support the creator of a custom "Refresh" image under Windows 8
On Windows 8, you can regain the space used on the hard drive once a recovery media has been created

Or this: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/matt-harring...ecimg-exe.aspx

[Clintlgm]

2012 with the latest version updates and 2013 will work for Images on GPT Disk, I would create a Disk Image and then set up Partition Images if you want and then set up your back up routine how ever you have decided to handle it.

[Clintlgm]

Well it sounds like you deleted the partition that had the actual recovery files? Now you will have to download the ISO from MS and create a USB install disk. When you use it your Key will still be imbedded in your BIOS and automatically allow installation. I think Rewben's notes cover the whole process

[Draugrs]

I cloned the WIN 8 from the 1TB HDD that came with my G75VX onto an OCZ 240GB Agility 3 SSD. I then removed the 1TB and stored it away. I placed the SSD into the 1TB slot tray and installed a 7200 spin 1TB in the 2nd slot tray. I did the clone using the free version of Macrium Reflect. It worked without a hitch. I did not image the restore partitions onto the SSD. I only imaged the 300MB partition for the OS and the OS partition itself.

Note: I am not sure why but Macrium will have a 1GB unallocated space after cloning process. It resides between 300MB and OS partition. I am not sure why nor can I extend it onto the OS partition. If anyone knows why or how to prevent would be greatly appreciated....

[cvmocanu]

I decided to bite the bullet after all and ordered Windows 8 Pro (comes with DVD ). I assume I'm not the only one paying for Windows twice.

Anyway, being a company laptop (for software development), I wanted to have Hyper-V and the ability to join a domain controller, in case I need them.

[pathfindercod]

Can you fresh install from the upgrade win 8 pro DVD?

[Clintlgm]

I think yes, the version installed is dependent on the Product Key

[pathfindercod]

I used the Macrium Free version and cloned to a SSD. I did all the partitions and it went through 100%. It boots and everything works. However if i hit F9 to do a system reload it pops up with a windows error path about a file. Then after I reboot to go back into windows it wont boot anymore after I tried f9. It goes right back to the file error. Keep in mind it all works fine till i try f9, then I have to reclone again.. Any ideas? Does the free version not work with making the recovery partition?

[adham_dehe]

May i ask. Is there any way our recovery hidden partition can be corrupted? I bought G55 with window 7 pre installed

[cvmocanu]

Can you fresh install from the upgrade win 8 pro DVD?

When I bought it, I though: "of course!".

It turns out it's not that simple, because of Microsoft's decision to put the product key in the BIOS and to not ask for it during setup if it's found in BIOS.
Which means, I installed from the Windows 8 Pro DVD, but I kept getting Windows 8 (non-pro) since the key in the BIOS is not for pro.

I actually managed to get it installed after all, but it took me a while until I found the correct solution:

Here are the steps for people that what to do this:
(1) Create a bootable Flash drive to use it for installation. This is required because we need to put the product key in the installation itself, to prevent Windows from reading it from BIOS. I used the steps from here: http://www.blogsolute.com/create-win...fi-boot/25988/ :
- type in a cmd.exe window: diskpart.exe – This command will open diskpart in another CMD Window. Below commands will be typed in diskpart window.
- list disk – With this Command you can view the list of storage devices. Select the pendrive, be careful!
- select disk 1 – With this command you are selecting the your Pendrive. In my case its 1 but it may vary if you have more than one internal storage disks or several pendrives jacked in. BE VERY CAREFULL TO PICK THE FLASH DRIVE AND NOT ANOTHER DISK !!!
- clean – Clean the selected partition.
- create partition primary – Set the partition as primary.
- select partition 1 – Select partition. Number depends on your disk usage.
- active – Make the disk active.
- format quick fs=fat32 – Format pendrive in fat 32.
- assign – It will automatically assign a letter to drive. Check the drive letter. In my case it was I.
- exit - This will the exit diskpart window.

After this, copy all the files from the installation DVD (or from an ISO, if you have that):
xcopy Q:\* X:\ /s /e

where Q: is the DVD and X: is the flash drive

(2) create an EI.cfg file in X:\sources with the following content:

[EditionID]

[Channel]
OEM
[VL]
0

(3) create an PID.txt file in X:\sources with the following content:

[PID]
Value=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Use your actual product key instead of those XXXX-s.

Also, make sure the files have the correct extension. Because Windows didn't show the file extensions, I created by mistake PID.txt.txt and then wondered why it doesn't work.

More information about those files can be found here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../hh824952.aspx

After this, boot from the (UEFI) flash drive and happily install the version of Windows you actually paid for

I did a clean install by formatting the OS partition. I didn't touched any other partition (like the System or the Recovery partitions).

This worked for me. I hope it helps some other pool souls trying to install Windows 8 Pro and getting Windows 8 instead.

P.S.: in hindsight, I have doubts if buying Windows 8 Pro was worth it. Probably doing partition backup (using Macrium or Acronis) would have been a better idea. If you don't need Hyper-V or the ability to join a domain controller, it's probably not worth buying Windows 8 Pro if you already have Windows 8.