Windows 10: Re-using Microsoft Windows CD key after reformatting Boot SSD

Hi,I would like to know if I can reuse the same CD and CDkey to install Windows OS after reformatting my Boot SSD.Thank you in advance.CheersTanner

:)

 

Windows will not boot from SSD after reformatting old HDD

If you run into boot problem, i think you can try the following methods to fix. And you can view this page to known more details:

how to fix SSD can't boot?

Method 1. Set BIOS default settings

BIOS is the program to get computer system started after you power on the computer. It has to be set correctly to ensure all booting files can be activated, otherwise, the computer may have boot issue.
You can reset BIOS to default settings to make them all correct.

Step 1. Start your computer and press functional key (F2, F4, or F5, the exact key depends on your computer) when you see the first screen to enter BIOS.

Step 2. Under the “Exit” tab, find the “Load Optional Defaults”.

Step 2. Just press the “F10” key to save and exit.

Method 2. CHKDSK utility
When your computer has boot issue, you can run the CHKDSK command to check your hard drive and fix. Many people may tell you that you need to get an installation CD to enter the Command Prompt to run
the CHKDSK command.

But actually, you can turn to Partition Assistant Standard, which
is a disk management tool, and it can help you to launch CHKDSK to fix the status 0xc000000e without CD. And its intuitive interface makes the operation mu

Method 3. Rebuild MBR
MBR is a vital structure to boot Windows. it is corrupted, boot issue can hap

pen.

If you have an installation CD, you can use the traditional methods . Insert the installation CD and set it as boot drive.

Tips: the steps to boot from the installation CD

1. Turn on computer, press and hold the Functional key at the sight of the first screen (The functional key can be F2, F4, F5, it can see it at the bottom of the first
screen).

2. Under Boot option, switch boot drive to the CD and press Enter.

★ Startup repair

Windows has a built-in tool called Startup that can help you to repair to repair boot issues.

Step 1. Insert installation CD and boot from it, set language and other preferences and click “Next”.

Step 2. Click “Repair your computer” on the left bottom.

Step 3. Go “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Repair” to start repairing.

If you are familiar with Command Prompt, there are 2 commands to fix this boot issue. After you boot computer from the installation CD, enter “Troubleshoots” > “Command Prompt”. And type the command in
the Command Prompt:

• bootrec.exe /fixmbr
  
• bootrec.exe /fixboot
  
• bootrec.exe /scanos
  
• bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd
  

• 
  

 

Recover or Reformat?

The reformat won't budge?

I did what you said and then was told to remove the CD from the CD-Rom Drive, put in the recovery CD and then press the 'OK' button to continue

So I changed to the next disk but the OK doesn't appear to be being 'pressed'. Yes I have pushed enter on the keyboard which is what I have been using to get me through the other steps..

Any suggestions?

 

boot from cloned ssd installed on cd drive

"Currently, my objective is to keep the HHD as-is for backup and storage uses" - you will be able to do so. You just need to keep it on one side but out of the computer so that you can see the SSD in action on its own first. You have to put the
SSD in the original HDD's bay for the system to be able to boot from it.

There is no method for switching "between SSD & HHD just by changing the BIOS boot order or something like that". BIOS writers did not anticipate the use to which you want to put the CD/DVD bay. You have to put the SSD in the original HDD's bay
for the system to be able to boot from it.

When you are happy that the SSD boots correctly you can first try to put the old HDD into the caddy you have been using in the CD/DVD bay. Then try booting again. If the SSD cannot boot now [but could boot on its own] then it will be because of a clash
of disk "signatures". If there is a clash then you should put the old HDD into a USB enclosure so you can access it as & when required [but you might still have to remove it during booting up] but might eventually need to reformat it in order to use it in
that CD/DVD bay caddy so that you can leave it in the computer all the time.

I have done this job on two different computers.

• The SSD from which the system boots is in the original HDD's bay.
• The original HDD is in the CD/DVD bay [using the caddy that the SSD was in during cloning].