Need help with windows 8 clean install on retail pc.

I know this is sevenforums but I did not feel like registering on another forum for a simple question.


So I have a problem....
I think I found a new reason to hate windows 8....


A friend of mine has a Toshiba SATELLITE C55DT-A5106 whose hard disk had died. Windows 8.1

We replaced the hard drive and I went to install windows 8. Now from everything I read, it states that the product keys are stored in the bios and that you will not be asked for a product key, it will just install.

When I insert my windows 8 disk that I have, it keeps asking for a product key. (I know this disk works fine and I have gotten it to install automatically before on another retail) I have tried the generic ones on the internet figuring that later I could just change the product key but they do not work either.

Why did microsoft make this so frustrating? Why can't they just put the product key as a sticker on the laptop like they used to and call it a day?

Am I missing something? I looked at the tutorials on eight forums but all of them require you to have a product key. I do not know what it is/was.

I called toshiba support, and despite the excellent robot they have, their actual support is crap. The guy could not give me a clear answer if the product key was stored on the hard disk or in the bios. He didn't even know what a bios was... He just kept asking me to buy recovery media disks and since the average customer does not know to create them (nor are they told) they are not available of course. I should not have to have my friend pay in order to re-install windows. It's a load of crap.

Sigh* Someone please help me with this I am pulling my hair out!

After talking to Microsoft they are not going to help me reinstall windows 8 on a laptop pc that was bought in a store. WELP, I am telling everyone I know to create recovery disks now for a retail PC.
(Of course the average user is screwed as they do not even know how or know they need to.)

Microsoft refuses help again.
Apparently if your hard drive dies you're screwed so sorry give us more money. You should not have to pay Microsoft or your manufacturer for recovery disks again to reinstall windows. That is Bull****!!!!

So now I know the real reason Microsoft embedded the key into the bios, and won't offer iso's for oem/store bought PC's. So they can screw everyone!

I'm not sure about Windows 8, but with Windows 7 you have to install with their media. The key is in the disk and has to match the code in the bios and it activates on it's own. You can use any media to install but you will be calling Microsoft to activate. At least that's the way it worked for me the last time I have to do it for someone. That's with the COA Sticker.

Could try one of these keys then activate later.

• Windows 8.1 – FJWTM-42NKR-9DPD2-8FR9Y-3GMCH
• Windows 8.1 Professional – B478Q-FNMXX-FKYT6-D6FC8-HMGTD
• Windows 8.1 N – HJ924-JPN9Y-3FC9H-GCYMG-C9WJY
• Windows 8.1 Professional N – 2TXRD-CCNWC-CT2X8-KGDXP-PGXGF
• Windows 8.1 Single Language (Emerging Markets) – Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC
• Windows 8 – 46V6N-VCBYR-KT9KT-6Y4YF-QGJYH
• Windows 8 N – 7QNT4-HJDDR-T672J-FBFP4-2J8X9
• Windows 8 Professional – V7C3N-3W6CM-PDKR2-KW8DQ-RJMRD
• Windows 8 Professional N – 4NX4X-C98R3-KBR22-MGBWC-D667X
• Windows 8 Single Language (Emerging Markets) – NH7GX-2BPDT-FDPBD-WD893-RJMQ4

Please note these keys will not activate they will just allow you to use Windows for 30 Days. Do not try to use these product keys for your normal Windows installation just buy a legitimate version of Windows if you want to use it.

Thanks, but I cannot even get past the install screen as it asks for the product key right away. None of the keys above worked, I have tried those already.

With windows 7, before all I had to do was get my universal install disk out, choose the windows 7 edition, pop in the key on the laptop sticker and bam installed and activated no issue. I maybe had to call microsoft once or twice. But now since windows 8 there is no key sticker, I am stuck.

Ng4hw-vh26c-733kw-k6f98-j8ck4
gcrjd-8nw9h-f2cdx-ccm8d-9d6t9
XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

Andrew, see if this helps How To Retrieve Windows 8 OEM Product Key From BIOS | Next of Windows

Now, I'll read it.

From 8F

Embedded Product Key (8.0) for 8.1 install - Page 2

showkey.vbs

Windows 8 product key

A Guy

EDIT:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials...ndows-8-a.html

Thanks everyone for the links, I will keep you updated.

So I found out the oem key, step 5 vbs file worked great from brinks tutorial. Now the problem is I cannot get it to accept it/activate. I might try calling Microsoft to see what they can do. Thing is my disk that I have is only windows 8 pro, not standard. Well its supposed to be a universal disk but apparently it did not like this laptop. As I said before I have reinstalled windows 8 on other retail pc's with no issue they (windows installer) put in the key automatically just fine and activated. This one for whatever reason just gave me a ton of issues and refused to do so.

Right now I am running windows 8 pro with a generic key.

How do I go about getting a core/standard version iso of windows 8 that would accept the oem key? I understand that it will not activate right now as these are two different versions.

I miss windows 7 ways....