I replaced a computer that stopped working so I now have a new computer and also purchased a SSD to go into the computer.  The SSD came unformatted so I formatted it, it has a MBR format.  When attempting to install a Win 8 disk it says it can not install on this disk because of the MBR format.   A side note,  I have an older disk for cloning and when installed the OS refused to boot. 
Carl2

Your problem was you shouldn't have formatted the SSD before you tried to install windows. Both Win 7 and 8 are capable of formatting the SSD during the install, in fact that is how it should be done to optimise the SSD for better performance.

You should be able to delete the partition and or un-format the SSD during the install then let windows do it's own thing. 

  Again thanks Data, windows 8 is installing itself on the SSD after deleting it.  I have a set of recovery disks being sent from HP in the meantime, I did a bit of damage trying to shall we say work with it
Worked well, win 8 is installed and running, now to check the boot time.  So fast, like it woke up from the sleep mode.  I'll do a restore in case I mess it up, thanks again.
Carl2

You are welcome Carl, really I'm just happy to help

Glad the PC is booting nice and fast now.

Data,
  You've been a big help quite a few times so I'm at your service.  Windows started up this morning but wants to be activated so I'll go back to the HD with win 8.1 since win 8 is reserved for this computer.  It's Just a matter of waiting for the win 8.1 disks to arrive from HP, I can't make the disks myself because I messed that up.  The main thing is it can be done, having the OS on a SSD on that computer.
Carl2

  I waited over a week for the recovery disks to arrive, reread the instructions on how to make them.  I was able to make a recovery on a 16 gb USB flash drive, a little playing around and I was able to install it on the SSD.  Seems SSD's and Flash drives are the way to go.  Next is to set up a home group and install some programs on the HP.  Basically what I want, faster buss speeds with a SSD.
Carl2

That all sounds good Carl 

And yes I agree, SSD and flash drives are the way to go, them old spinning disks have approached the end of the road. 

Glad you got it all sorted out