So, I’m learning allot about GPT/UEFI today my client has a Windows 8 machine that is infected with a virus and since it’s not updated and I have the update for the whole thing on disc to get them to Windows 8.1 I decided to just wipe and restore the machine hopefully cleaning up and speeding up the system as a nice side benefit in less time. Only, being that it’s formatted in GPT and not MBR style formatting it’s taken me quite a bit of time getting used to the idea that everything is as it needs to be in order for me to wipe and reload Windows 8.1 x64 in the proper formatting. Now that I’m on the same page I just need know about the file structure in other words the partitions.
It’s far more than I’m used to in the GPT format with UEFI enabled drivers. I’m including a photo to show the 4 or 5 partitions there are. My question is can I delete all the partitions except for the vendor specific ones for recovery and just write all new ones with no negative repercussions ? I’ve backed up all the users data so I’m not worried about their info. Soo… Windows will remake all these other partitions again except the Samsung ones right?
Yes, just delete everything. Personally, I’d delete the Samsung recovery partition as well if you have backup media for all your programs.
Once you start from a clean, unpartitioned drive, Windows will then recreate the 3 or 4 partitions that it needs to work (it’ll tell you this on the very next screen from the one that you showed).
Second what Strangelove says. Nuke it from orbit. Neither you nor your client are using the recovery partition anyway, so just get rid of it to make things less confusing.
And thank you, Jragon, far more useful than the OP’s download link.
Wth ppl, thank you for your wisdom and I’ll implement it in future postings, but I don’t need half the responders flaming me with attitude in regards to the manner in which I include a image with my question. Like my grandma used to say, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say it.”
I did more reading on the subject and found the same info I’m being told in regards to partitioning. The real question is, “If I decide to leave partitions in place such as the Samsung ones (there are 2) and the Windows RE partition, will Windows 8.1 still go through with creating the UEFI/GPT style format partition scheme I need to run the Windows on this client’s machine” I was getting the impression that it was an “all or nothing” kind of thing.
Yes, I realize most ppl would delete the OEM partitions. In fact, if it were my computer I-I would do it. But it’s not and I don’t leave my clients with less functionality than they started. If I find that Windows 8.1 will recreate the RE partition I have no problem wiping that one and the rest of them if they are to be re-generated. That’s the big question,
“What comes back from the new install, when I hit delete?” And, " If I decide not to delete everything down to one unallocated partition, does Windows still give me back a GPT formatted set-up as long as I’m booting from a UEFI resource so that Windows knows to load that set of drivers into the install?"
Either run the Samsung Recovery or delete all partitions.
After a reinstall from DVD (unless its the Samsung Disk), that Samsung Recovery partition is useless anyhow.
Windows 8 will create the partitions it needs automatically on a blank HDD, no input needed on your part.
After a clean install (unless its the Samsung Disk), you need to install the drivers from CD/DVD, USB or the Internet.
P.S.: If you want people to view an image to help YOU, please put it into a format for them to view the image and not force them to download some file.
Not true, the Samsung partition works in the same way as a typical diagnostic partition for a Dell. If you don’t touch it, it will still function perfectly fine when you choose F4 at boot. All I’ll need to do is create a new back-up image of the freshly installed Windows 8.1.
Too general, on a blank HDD the manner in which you boot the resource media (Choosing UEFI or not) tells Windows in what way to partition your HDD.
I am asking specific questions (notice the bold font above).
And PS.: Doughbag, if ppl don’t want to help me due to the fact that they would think that I would risk getting myself kicked out of SD forums by attaching a virus in my request for help that is by all means ok by me. I’ve already stated I’ll switch over. I just don’t want people submitting how they prefer to help me and how I messed up.
Kindly suggest another hosting site, provide a link in case I’m slow and leave it at that.
GPT will let the Operating System access larger HDDs, as a single unit, 4GB+ I believe,
however older OSes win XP, ?, may not recognize the drive if you need to transplant the physical drive.
UEFI UEFI - Wikipedia
is another beast entirely. I’ve only seen it used on a couple of dozen machines so far and I’m still holding my powder dry.
I do dislike the Secure Boot idea, it’s my System Unit and if I want to boot from an SSD, DVD, BluRay or USB drive let me do it. If I can get past my own BIOS password then if I foul up it’s on my shoulders.
To go back, finally, to your point.
As long as you have the original Windows serial code you can, I believe, still download an ISO of Windows 8.1 and follow Toto etc.
So, just for the sake of record. I proceeded with the installation deleting out only the 3 partitions that were relevant to the previous Windows 8 installation. The mystery of the 2 Samsung partitions was clarified also, 1 was the actual imaging tool for restoration and back-up, while the other was the factory image with Windows 8. Once I’m sure of which is the Windows 8 image I have no problem deleting it as I will create a new image with 8.1 for my client’s convenience.
As for the UEFI/ GPT headache, UEFI booting the resource media has to be done in order to indicate what kind of installation is happening with Windows otherwise when you get to the “Where do you want to install Windows” screen every partition will not allow you to alter it due to the fact that it’s a GPT partitioned drive.
I had feared that the partitioning structure would not remain should I delete a few of the partitions and hope that Windows 8.1 would rebuild them. I really didn’t need that headache, so I’m happy to say keeping the the RE partition and the Samsung partitions and deleting out the old OS partitions did not affect the partitioning done to the drive and Windows 8.1 did indeed re-generate the necessary partitions to function as a GPT formatted drive and in UEFI due to the earlier configuration.
The Samsung partition does indeed still function after installation. As a side note as stated by Microsoft. I could have easily if in doubt, installed 8.1 in the same partition as the current 8 installation and Windows 8.1 would simply rename all the current 8 structure to “.old” preserving the information.
In this situation however (a virus) I wanted to lose as much of the old file system as possible, having the side benefit of taking less time for installation of 8.1 because nothing was being renamed and relegated to some dark depths of Windows and taking less space. And that is really the only things worthwhile to document, the rest is typical data migration and driver installation. I hope the info is helpful to another doper that comes looking for answers with this newer, many layered Windows 8 era installation.
