Newb needs help/advice with windows 8

[miniun]

As the title says I need some advice/help. I'm kind of very inexperienced in many areas of computers. I've built my very first pc gaming rig thanks to Linus's 1500$ tutorial and everything is perfect with the exception of a very worrisome crash/bug in the bios that ocassionaly makes me crash when messing with boot priorities. I believe this is happening because I tragically slightly scratched the Mobo with a screwdriver whilst installing it. Besides that one exception everything else in the bios seems to be working fine. Right now I'm still waiting for windows 8 and haven't changed anything in the Bios or updated them. I previously asked in a different topic what I should do and the consensus was to install windows 8 anyway.

 

Here are my questions:

Should I update my Bios or do anything at all before installing windows 8? Should I update it using the live update feature in the bios? Guessing that is the only way...

 

Somebody suggested I should unplug my HDD before installing Windows 8 so my SSD receives all of it. Is that a good procedure to take? It's easy enough, but I'm just not sure if it's neccessary or even smart to not have the HDD present while installing windows.

 

After I install windows 8 what is the very first thing I want to do? What drivers must I have, what steps must be taken etc?

 

Is it possible despite this minute error in the bios/small scratch on mobo I will still be able to run windows 8 perfectly? This isn't really important..I just want some assurance :D

 

Lastly... Apparently I shouldn't be changing much of anything at all in the bios until I install Windows. I'm wondering if theres anything I should do in the bios specifically immediatly after installing Windows? Is overclocking the only thing I should be concerned about in the bios for the most part? Will I want to overclock from Windows or the bios? I know not to change anything that I don't understand, but is there anything I must do in the bios with my given specs for optimization?

 

Specs:

ntel Core i7 3770K CPU
Intel 520 Series 240GB SSD
MSI Z77A-G45 motherboard
MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti Power Edition
Seagate Barracuda 3TB hard drive
Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 RAM
Corsair GS700 power supply
Corsair H100i

 

Any help/advice would be super appreciated thank you.

[Samdb]

If you scratched a trace on your motherboard you will probably have to buy a new one or things may not work properly.

[WoodenMarker]

I'm not sure about the bios update. I tend to do it after I install the OS.

Do remove your hdd before you install on the ssd.

After you install Windows 8, get your Windows updates installed and get all the drivers for your peripherals and graphics card.

 

I'm not sure how bad you scratched your mobo so...idk. If it works, it works.

 

Download Msi Live Update and ClickBios from Msi. You can easily overclock your cpu using that.

Also get Msi Afterburner and overclock your gpu with it.

 

Refer back to the forum for any additional help.

[hehehehhehehehe]

Do you have a photo of where you scratched the mobo?

[mgsstar]

I wouldn't do a bios update unless something isn't working properly. I do not recommend you to update your bios in the Windows environment because usually this has a greater chance of messing up your board. I would update it via a DOS environment using a bootable DOS usb or update it via the bios. I didn't unplug my hdd when I installed my os on my SSD but unplugging it would be a good idea to be sure that Windows is installed on the SSD. After you installed Windows 8, install all your motherboard drivers and graphic drivers. Get them from the internet to get the latest drivers. I would install the lan driver from the CD if Windows does not detect the network card. http://ninite.com/ is a very useful tool in installing your programs in an easy way. 

 

Before installing your OS, make sure your SSD/HDD is plugged into a SATA3 port in order to get the best speeds and make sure that the drives are set to AHCI mode. I would overclock in the bios to be safe. Heres a great guide in optimizing Windows for your SSD/HDD: http://www.overclock.net/t/1240779/seans-windows-8-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

 

Info on bios updating: http://www.msi.com/service/biosupdate/

[miniun]

Do you have a photo of where you scratched the mobo?

 

 

It's mostly impossible to see in the picture sorry... but it's real hard to see in real life. If i wasn't working on a mac and in poor light conditions I could show you it better possibly. It's a small scratch leading from the usb ports toward the gpu diagnology almost directly in the center of the red squre.

 

I hope that isn't a sensitive area!

[AndrewReaganM]

Unplug the Hard Drive before OS install.

You don't need to do much in the BIOS after or before you install, Windows takes care of 99% of that. (Excluding Overclocking)

Helpful Download Links:

Motherboard Drivers: http://us.msi.com/product/mb/Z77A-G45.html#/?div=Driver&os=Win8 64

GPU Drivers: http://www.geforce.com/drivers

H100i Drivers: http://www.corsair.com/us/hydro-series-h100i-extreme-performance-liquid-cpu-cooler.html

MSI Afterburner:http://event.msi.com/vga/afterburner/download.htm

EVGA PrecisionX: (works the same as afterburner, you can use either with any card):http://evga.com/precision/

 

What I like to do is download them all to a flash drive from another PC before booting Windows, just in case your network drivers aren't automatically recognized by Windows.

 

-Andrew

[miniun]

Thanks for the help and the links guys, I just have one more question... Is boot priority important? Do I want my cd/dvd rom drive to be #1 boot priority while installing windows? I'm guesing my SSD should be boot priority #1 when I'm done installing windows or does it not matter at all?

 

Any recommended tutorials on how to overclock your gpu safely? It's something I've never done and slightly worried about ruining it.

 

Guys I'm trying to understand this guide linked:
optimizing ssd/hdd

There is one part I don't understand....

 

 

Enable AHCI SATA mode in the UEFI/BIOS. Use RAID mode if you are going to use a RAID array or Intel SRT aka. SSD caching. Guide here: (link)

 

Where can I find if I am set to AHCI or RAID or any other mode in the bios? I thought I wasn't suppose to use RAID if I was SSD caching, only if I have two SSDs or two HDDs?

 

 

Check and see if there is an update to the firmware of your SSD/HDD and update if necessary. Storage drivers, firmware, and utilities here: (link)

 

 

I thought I shouldn't update anything until installing windows? So should I pop in the disk that came with the SSD right now? (pre windows install)

 

I'm not saying anyone is wrong, if anyone is wrong it's me. I'm just confused because to me this guide contradicts most of what you guys said the way I read it...I thought I shouldnt don't do anything in the bios/don't update until installing windows 8, but this guide says otherwise. Should I just not care about optimizing my SSD/HDD until I learn more about this?

[mgsstar]

Thanks for the help and the links guys, I just have one more question... Is boot priority important? Do I want my cd/dvd rom drive to be #1 boot priority while installing windows? I'm guesing my SSD should be boot priority #1 when I'm done installing windows or does it not matter at all?

 

Any recommended tutorials on how to overclock your gpu safely? It's something I've never done and slightly worried about ruining it.

 

Guys I'm trying to understand this guide linked:

optimizing ssd/hdd

There is one part I don't understand....

 

Where can I find if I am set to AHCI or RAID or any other mode in the bios? I thought I wasn't suppose to use RAID if I was SSD caching, only if I have two SSDs or two HDDs?

 

 

I thought I shouldn't update anything until installing windows? So should I pop in the disk that came with the SSD right now? (pre windows install)

 

I'm not saying anyone is wrong, if anyone is wrong it's me. I'm just confused because to me this guide contradicts most of what you guys said the way I read it...I thought I shouldnt don't do anything in the bios/don't update until installing windows 8, but this guide says otherwise. Should I just not care about optimizing my SSD/HDD until I learn more about this?

AHCI should be automatically enabled but its a good idea to check anyways. I would refer to your manual for instructions in navigating to SATA configuration. Only use RAID if you want to combine two drives or use RAID modes. I wouldn't update HDD firmware since its not necessary but SSD firmware updates usually fix bugs. Never used Intel SSD toolbox so don't know if their update software is reliable.

[AndrewReaganM]

Make SURE AHCI is enabled before installing Windows. Do all of the firmware/BIOS updates in a Windows desktop environment. Are you using your SSD as a cache or using it as your boot and primary programs drive, with your HDD for games, movies, music, etc. Whenever Windows is done installing, shut down your PC and reconnect the Hard Drive.  Here, this will be easier.

Before Starting, put all of your drivers on a flash drive.

1. Make sure all connectors are fully seated and in the right spot on the motherboard.
2. Connect keyboard, mouse, power, displays, etc.
3. Ensure that the Hard Drive SATA connector is disconnected from the Hard Drive, and the SSD's SATA cable is firmly connected.
4. Boot into the BIOS and enable AHCI. More than likely this is already enabled, but check anyways. (Might be in the RAID options)
5. Save Changes and Restart.
6. Insert Windows disk and boot into windows setup (You might have to change the boot priority to your CD drive first)
7. Setup as desired.
8. After you get to your desktop, plug in your Flash Drive.
9. Install drivers (generally, install the chipset drivers, restart, then install the rest of your drivers.)
10. Shut down.
11. Connect your Hard Drive and boot back up.
12. If your drive doesn't show up properly, follow this guide: http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/188931en
13. Do the motherboard BIOS / SSD firmware updates.
14. Ensure that your SSD is first on the Boot Priority.
15. Have fun!

 

GPU Overclocking Guide: http://wolframpc.blogspot.com/2012/01/graphics-card-overclocking.html

[miniun]

Thanks, I've found the place where it says in my bios that AHCI mode is indeed activated..
 

 

 

Are you using your SSD as a cache or using it as your boot and primary programs drive, with your HDD for games, movies, music, etc.

 

 

 

Both? I've never had an SSD before so I have no idea what's going on lol. I primarily want to game on this rig.. Caching some of the reasources of SSD to my HDD sounded appealing to me... Can I not do that if my SSD is the primary boot/main program drive?

[AndrewReaganM]

Thanks, I've found the place where it says in my bios that AHCI mode is indeed activated..

 

 

 

Both? I've never had an SSD before so I have no idea what's going on lol. I primarily want to game on this rig.. Caching some of the reasources of SSD to my HDD sounded appealing to me... Can I not do that if my SSD is the primary boot/main program drive?

What are you using your PC for besides gaming?

[miniun]

What are you using your PC for besides gaming?

I figured I would try editing some videos to make use of my hyper threading technology as suggested by Linus. Not much really though besides gaming.

 

 

But yea I also figured my SSD could be a cache and also my bain boot drive?

 

Also..When downloading drivers for my gpu...I'm not entirely sure which ones are needed and not..

[AndrewReaganM]

I figured I would try editing some videos to make use of my hyper threading technology as suggested by Linus. Not much really though besides gaming.

 

 

But yea I also figured my SSD could be a cache and also my bain boot drive?

 

Also..When downloading drivers for my gpu...I'm not entirely sure which ones are needed and not..

 

Well, it can, but I personally wouldn't do it. You will have your OS, and all programs on your SSD, then your games and media on your HDD (Presumably). Your Hard Drive will be plenty fast enough for your games and media, so I wouldn't bother caching.

 

As for the GPU drivers, you should get the WHQL driver, here: http://www.geforce.com/drivers/results/63458

 

-Andrew

[miniun]

Thanks a lot for your help man. It's installing windows 8 right now...If it works, I will be so amazed...scratching my first mobo was a fucking nightmare but also a very valuable lesson learned for future builds I hope.

 

I will take your advice and put games/media on HDD programs/OS on SSD.

 

Thanks again all! I'll definitely be back.

[miniun]

Ok I definitely ran into another related problem.

 

Everything is working pretty fantastic except the fact that I cant seem to find my HDD in windows. (it isnt recognizing it)

 

My HDD came without any wires/cables etc and I used what I had available. It's plugged into my powersupply with sata and my motherboard with the appropriate connector. However upon closer inspection I noticed a third input in my HDD...am I missing a cable for my HDD?

 

Is this my solution?

http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/188931en

[AndrewReaganM]

Is this my solution?

http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/188931en

Yes. That should work. Can you see it in disk management? Also, have you installed drivers yet?

 

That extra port is just for putting jumpers on for different drive functions, etc. You shouldn't have to touch it.

[AndrewReaganM]

Ok I definitely ran into another related problem.

 

Everything is working pretty fantastic except the fact that I cant seem to find my HDD in windows. (it isnt recognizing it)

 

My HDD came without any wires/cables etc and I used what I had available. It's plugged into my powersupply with sata and my motherboard with the appropriate connector. However upon closer inspection I noticed a third input in my HDD...am I missing a cable for my HDD?

 

Is this my solution?

http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/188931en

Did that work?