Windows 8.1, BIOS or UEFI install

Disco_P

Disco_P

Disco_P

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I need to reinstall windows 8.1 on my PC.
Spec:
2550K
Z77 MPower
8GB Ram
GTX 780
Samsung 830 ssd

I have always done this using the BIOS method, not knowing of the UEFI method. Is the UEFI method universally better or does it have some drawbacks?

I've also read about GOP? I understand it allows uber fast boots but needs a supported GPU and some other stuff. Can someone explain it?

Many Thanks
 
Since no one has replied I will give my 10p worth...

Whether I use normal mode or that EI-EI-O mode, is very much down to the HD

I have Boards that have it, and when I try to use it, when I go to install windows, the installation may or may not see the HDI may have the SSD in port 0 and it may see the HD but nto the SSD.

So, I take the HD out and put ONLY the SSD in and no matter what port I use ( diffrent ports often use different controlers of course ) but Windows setup simply wont see the SSD? - I try it with the HD and the HD gets seen in any port?

I have this issue with some HDs and some SSDs in some boards, so I dont rightly know WTF is going on there, but I feel that an SSD will be good enough to not need whatever benefits I will get from EFIOUEFIOFU of whatever the hell it is?
 
Absolutely... I still want so much to actually get a PC to use it, but as you say... Its just too much hassle to be worth bothering with
 
I personally leave my PC on. Never turn it off except for upgrades and what not.

So thats not an issue for me.

More secure? If the security is in Boot Sector Viruses, then again thats not a worry for me, plus most mobos has built in bootsector protection anyway.
 
In my experience it rarely lets you do that. Last time I had to nuke the disk with a linux utility to get rid of the partitions before I could install a different OS. For me any way the UEFI is far less friendly to get into.

On the laptop I'm setting up at the moment you have to go through about 3 set up screens in windows 8 before you can get into the BIOS, and I just wanted to check did it have Bluetooth. Having looked in the BIOS I'm still not sure.

On the old BIOS's that would have taken a fraction of the time, and been a lot more obvious.
 
So I have installed windows 8.1 in BIOS/legacy/old skool mode and got everything setup. However I would like to test UEFI mode to see what it is like and whether it works.

I am not too bothered about the higher level of security (I don't even use aany AV software) but would like to try out the faster boot etc.

What is the recommended way of making a full install backup of 8.1 such that I can restore it if I don't like UEFI/it doesn't work? I tried the windows tool but I get "access is denied (0x80070005)"
 
BIOS only supported MBR, older UEFI supported both MBR and GPT but new and future UEFI will supported GPT only.

Hard drives bigger than 2TB single partition will use GPT and in near future 2TB SSD will use GPT too.
 
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OK so I can now backup windows using the in OS method so will do that and try a UEFI install. I wonder if I can make a UEFI install then restore the BIOS version backup.

First things first is to move BF4 off my OS disk to make the backup smaller.
 
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