Windows 8 dual-boot on a 520-1100z

[DeathByTickles]

I freed up 250GB on my new 520-1100z, got the Windows 8 key and then booted from Windows 8 Pre-release DVD only to have the install procedure tell me that I can't install windows 8  because ""The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks."

How do I get Windows 8 dual-boot on the system? Can I disable EFI somehow? Do I have to backup all the partitions, reformat the 2TB drive as GPT (and what tools do I use to do that) and then restore all the partitions?

I bought a touchscreen specifically for Windows 8 development so this is extremely annoying.

Thanks,

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

There are some programs floating around the internet that will covert a MBR partition to GPT but they are risky to use.  Additionally, I don't believe that they will work on an active boot drive. Even if it does work, be sure to backup your data and have a set of recovery disks on hand.

EFI has nothing to do with GPT. I have Windows MBR partitions on my EFI system.

I did install W8 to a separate HD on my EFI system and it is MBR.

[frrw]

Hello Deaf By Tickles:

          Welcome to HP's forum. I guess you bought the wrong computer for Windows 8 haven't you read the forum and seen all the issues and problems people have had after installing Windows 8 trial software? They installed it and found out later there computers do not work right and then they have major issues looking for missing dirvers when they switch back to Windows 7. http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/TouchSmart-PC/Windows-8-cannot-be-installed-HP-touchSmart/m-p/1318483#M...  http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/TouchSmart-PC/Windows-8-will-not-install-on-Touchsmart-610/m-p/1548679#...  If you type in forum search box. [ Windows 8 on Touchsmart] you will see a lot more results listed with the same fate. HP has not released drivers or software that works with Windows 8. I wish you all the luck. Oh I could not find HP Touchsmart Dev Zone Technians always had good articles about upgrading. I guess HP drop the website. Maybe they are repairing the website use to be my home page. You might find some useful articles in the business section of HP's Websites concerning software. frrw

[DeathByTickles · Accepted solution]

Figured it out myself.

Press F10 when starting the system and you get to the computer setup. Under Storage -> Boot Order, you will see there are 2 sections; UEFI devices and Legacy devices. The UEFI devices are USB and the Blu-Ray drive and the legacy devices are the Blu-Ray drive (again) and the disk drive.

Arrow down to the blu-ray drive under the UEFI section and press F5 to disable it. It is still enables under the legacy section and still ahead of the SATA drive.

Reboot your system and press a key to boot from the Windows 8 install disk and install Windows 8 on the partition you freed up on the hard drive.

I guess Windows sees the Blu-Ray drive as being UEFI so it assumes everything else is too.

Windows 8 runs fine and everything but the touchscreen works first time. I assume HP are working on getting the driver for that developed and released so once that happens, I'll be good to go.

Cheers.

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

I am glad that you had success.

 I have to unplug my other hard drives to avoid W8 setting the "dirty bit " on other hard drives which causes chkdsk to run when I boot up other images.  It's a real pain.  Someone of the MS forum suggested a change to the shut down process but the build that I am using doesn't have that function.

I still don't have to make any changes with EFI to accommodate W8 on my custom PC.  Your PC probably has a bios bug that you just circumvented.  Oh well, it works for you.