installing win 8 uefi

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the post. Sorry to hear phone support has been unable to assist! Check out the following guide for instructions on how to make sure the system is operating in UEFI when re-installing (depending on your system model the BIOS may look slightly different to these images).

How to enable boot from DVD option with UEFI boot mode enabled. (Windows 8)

http://www.dell.com/support/article/fo/en/fodhs1/SLN142679/EN 

This topic was also discussed in the following thread. You can find a solution many customers have reported to have worked here: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19483232 

Let us know how it goes, if you have trouble after performing the steps in the above links please let us know your system model so we can provide more specific information.

Thanks,

First don't install Windows 8.0 it will lead to dreadful performance and its a huge waste of time trying to patch it. Install Windows 8.1 with Update 1 directly.

Secondly don't use a DVD, prepare a Bootable USB that is formatted as FAT32 which is capable of booting to UEFI with SecureBoot.

To download Windows 8.1 with Update 1 installation media and prepare a bootable USB that is FAT32 formatted and setup to install with the GPT partition scheme follow my instructions here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/

The issue is selecting the correct Edition that was factory installed (assuming your old installation can't boot). Your DVD should state the Edition on it.

Followed your instructions to a t and will not boot from usb dosent see it in uefi

Okay you have downloaded the .iso? What language/Edition and what size? 

I'm assuming something is wrong with the USB, that it is not FAT32. See here (its for Windows 10 Technical Preview Build 9926 but carry out the same checks at the start of the video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5TrgrEr-KM&list=PL1RkaknDn7v_SJaBuleIyodZD7Nt_IgqM&index=1

i downloaded english (united states) ISO 3.28 GB (3,532,521,472 bytes) everything else matches the video and the computer put in ansi  in setup and uefi with secure boot on and laptop wont see usb

I haven't tried new sub does it have to be certain size and where is debug at

If you followed my instructions exactly it should boot. Do you get the same result if USB Debug is enabled? Have you tried another USB flash drive?

See here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/ensure-you-have-the-correct-sata-configuration-in-the-bios-setup-for-your-configuration/disable-usb-3-0-functionality/

I got on well with many different Transcend USB 3.0 flash drives. 8 GB should work fine.

P.S. the 64 Bit English US .isos I downloaded were slightly different sizes:

Ok dell decided to send me a preloaded hard drive they can't make it install with secure boot UEFI and Intel smart response technogy I've tried all you said but I still feel like I'm being robbed if the laptop won't load operating system what if it fails when it's out of warranty?? I'm still gonna have prob

I did get it to load in ata mode but can't switch back to Intel smart response so rapid boot or nothing can be enabled

Configuration SSD Boot Drive and Data HDD

Personally I'd rip out the 32-64 GB mSATA SSD cache drive and replace it with a 256 GB Crucial mSATA SSD. I'd remove the HDD and set the SATA operation to AHCI. I would then run DiskPart and ensure both the SSD and HDD are wiped and then ensure Windows is installed on the SSD. I would then initialise the HDD and assign it as a data drive. Instructions to do this with Dell Backup and Recovery (Factory Settings) are given here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/dell-backup-and-recovery/using-a-hdd-and-ssd-together-with-dell-factory-settings/

I don't like SSD Cache Drives and they are more problematic than they are worth.

Configuration SSD Cache Drive and Windows HDD

If you are wanting to keep the Cache Drive (not recommended) then explain where you are getting stuck. You have created the Windows installation media as instructed. You have the SATA Operation set to Intel Smart Response. You have SecureBoot Enabled (which means you can boot in UEFI).

Can you boot here? Does the Windows setup begin? Do you get presented with a screen "Where do you want to install Windows?" and are drives listed on this screen?

I can't get it to boot anything in ahci or Intel smart sense tech when in UEFI secure boot is not the cd they sent that I can install windows in legacy bootable in uefi

And the Bootable USB? You should be able to use that to install in UEFI with SecureBoot.