Fresh install Windows 8.1

[BloodWithIce]

So I am getting random blues screens and errors and since I've had this Windows for quite a while, I have all sorts of shit running on it.
I want to format my main drive where my Os is stored and I also have another HDD where I keep all my games and I want to keep them.
How do I keep the pc from formatting both drives? 
I bought a new version of Windows but I only have the CD key and nothing else, how can I install the new windows? 

[Paralectic]

Download the ISO from where ever you want, extract it and run the setup and enter your key.

 

And yes that's a legal way to do it.

[Nexus]

So I am getting random blues screens and errors and since I've had this Windows for quite a while, I have all sorts of shit running on it.

I want to format my main drive where my Os is stored and I also have another HDD where I keep all my games and I want to keep them.

How do I keep the pc from formatting both drives? 

I bought a new version of Windows but I only have the CD key and nothing else, how can I install the new windows? 

When you are installing the OS from disk you will get this screen:

Just make sure you select the drive you want to install windows to and then choose format.

 

 

As for getting a disk etc, just download the iso or find a torrent for etc. It doesn't really matter so long as you have a genuine key. You can then either create a bootable usb stick or burn to a disk etc.

[chicksoup]

You could borrow an install disk or maybe pirate the ISO file, burn it and use the legit install key.

Just check that the version matches your key. (core/pro/32-bit/64-bit)

why would he pirate the ISO if he can download it with the key from the microsoft website?

 

 

 

 

response to the OP's question: you can select where to install and what drive to format while installing windows and if you want to be sure you can unplug the other hard drive and only leave the drive connected that you want to install windows on

[BloodWithIce]

why would he pirate the ISO if he can download it with the key from the microsoft website?

 

 

 

 

response to the OP's question: you can select where to install and what drive to format while installing windows and if you want to be sure you can unplug the other hard drive and only leave the drive connected that you want to install windows on

Can I put the iso on a usb and use it as my installation drive and select my SSD as my boot drive? 

[SunriseRedeemer]

Can I put the iso on a usb and use it as my installation drive and select my SSD as my boot drive? 

Yeah that's what I do 100% of the time to install a new OS, there is a handy program called rufus which enables you to create a USB boot drive from the ISO image. http://rufus.akeo.ie/

 

Let me know if you get stuck.

[BloodWithIce]

Yeah that's what I do 100% of the time to install a new OS, there is a handy program called rufus which enables you to create a USB boot drive from the ISO image. http://rufus.akeo.ie/

 

Let me know if you get stuck.

If I go on the Microsoft website, is there an option to download the ISO by inserting the CD KEY?  

[chicksoup]

as said by: @SunriseRedeemer you can download the iso and then burn it onto a usb stick using rufus tool. then you plug in the usb stick into your mobo (usb 2.0) and in your bios you select to boot off of usb devices and it should launch the installer with all the settings you need to set windows up and partitions and formatting and stuff like that

[BloodWithIce]

as said by: @SunriseRedeemer you can download the iso and then burn it onto a usb stick using rufus tool. then you plug in the usb stick into your mobo (usb 2.0) and in your bios you select to boot off of usb devices and it should launch the installer with all the settings you need to set windows up and partitions and formatting and stuff like that

And when I am in the menu with the drives and stuff, I can select which drive I want the OS to be installed on, right? 

[chicksoup]

And when I am in the menu with the drives and stuff, I can select which drive I want the OS to be installed on, right? 

try this: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

[SunriseRedeemer]

And when I am in the menu with the drives and stuff, I can select which drive I want the OS to be installed on, right? 

Exactly, there will be a screen which will display all of the drives in the machine, You may have to go to advanced installation options on windows 8.1, I can't quite remember (only installed it once). From there you will be able to install it on the drive of your choice. I would recommend formatting the drive first to remove the old operating system.

I'd also recommend downloading the drivers for your system beforehand and storing them on a separate USB drive, many times I have re-formatted and re-installed only to find out that I didn't have any network drivers.. which is a pain in the a**

 

 

try this: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

I didn't even know that existed! I suppose MS had to do something when they stopped giving out optical media...