Installing New Hardware in a Windows 8 System
de Joe W4TV
By default, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 will save a disk image of the operating system and current hardware drivers when they terminate. When next rebooted, this disk image is loaded, yielding a startup that is quick in comparison to previous versions of Windows. However, if the disk image includes drivers for hardware that is no longer present or drivers that were to be replaced, the result can be a page fault or Windows restart (blue screen of death).
When installing new hardware in a system running Windows 8 or 8.1,
- disconnect any USB device(s) that are no longer needed
- depress the shift key while directing Windows to terminate
- if hardware installation or removal requires powering down the PC, do so -- but do not connect any new USB device(s) at this point
- restart Windows
- connect any new USB device(s)
- install new drivers if required