oops...nevermind

yeah based on the title, I thought this thread was going to show a picture of a copy of windows 8 being flushed down the toilet

So Rnd, just what is the bottom line then? 

It seems that some of the folks that have made the switch to Windows 8 as their default OS have been strangers or come up amongst the lost on WC. 

Just kidding......         

But then where is starkers? 

Do you have a lot of software installed on Windows 8?  I haven't done image restores (aside from corruption problems) in a while.  I personally find it better to do a clean install, but that's just me.

Fresh install, remember GPT disk format and uEFI set-up (from a USB) and fast-boot setting before you install anything (its baked-in at install).

No, but I do on 7.

Well, if I do that, I lose any giveawayoftheday software I have installed, which wouldn't be the end of the world, I suppose.

I'd be needing that explained a bit more. It's clear as mud to me. 

IF you want windows8 to run on the SSD you will have to make a fresh install
activate AHCI for the SSD in bios settings before you go and install to get the full performance. Out of the drive -
Fast boot is not needed and if you wish you can activate all the other shit later but AHCI should be on !

Rolo, Windows 8 IS on an SSD and I already have the UEFI bios set to AHCI mode. I have been running 8 for a year now on an SSD, as well as 7.

uhm ok... well but what did you install first ? windows 7 or 8
Also if both OS are on the same SSD drive it would be wise to make a clean install aswell unless you want to manualy delete all the stuff of windows 7 the long bootmgr files ( remeber the topic where i spoke about the dual boot thing )
You could delete those boot files manualy but its a lot more work than just throwing the disk in the drive and follow the instructions for a clean system since you will have to install all the programs again on windows8 anyway.
still if you want to try this... 
I picked up the first simple tut because i run out of time here ( have to go to uni tomorrow)  you should be able to pull it off manual this way
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/210983-dual-boot-delete-os.html

But i think it would be easier to just clear the disk and start installing what you need you could still get all your files then from the backup drive and your system would be silky smooth then. (since the windows8 install is fast, it would take about equally the time)

The thing is if you upgrade your windows7 it wont be as fast if you install windows8 directly ( in terms of speed of the OS ) 
It would be nice if that would actually work the way it should...
You could then simply delete the win 8 partition, but sadly that does not work at least it did not for me when i upgraded ( only did that when windows8 came out to see how the speed is ) But shortly after i made a fresh install ^_~ 

Rolo I think you are missing something here.

Jim wrote this above                         "Ok, now, both OSes are currently installed on SSDs. 7 on a 256 GB SSD, 8 on a 120 GB SSD."

I don't have the answers but I know you and others have a lot of knowledge. So again here is what he really needs to know as he said above

  1. Should I just blow the 8 image into the 7 drive, and vice versa?

     2. Should I do fresh installs?  (I'd have to reinstall all my software, ouch!) 

     3. Does it work ok to put an image from one SSD onto a different SSD?

Never mind. Rolo already said it.

Wow seems like everyone went around your question.   You can clone SSDs I read that... there was a problem with getting the clone to begin recording at the exact beginning point of the drive.  As well, if you are looking to switch those ssd drives... You will have to get it perfect three or four times s.    Try looking into that issue though if you try it and run into problems.  Another thing you should consider is getting a big storage drive and hotsynching those two drives.   My Cooler Master Storm/Trooper has a ssd slot on top I was thinking of doing that exact thing.  Coupled with a drive to store all your programs you wouldn't need to move anything from where its at.  Hope this helps.