Need help with windows 8 clean install on retail pc.

[andrew129260]

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!

 

[essenbe]

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.

 

[rustberger]

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.

 

[andrew129260]

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.

 

[rustberger]

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

 

[essenbe]

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

Now, I'll read it.

 

[A Guy]

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/27129-product-key-find-windows-8-a.html

 

[andrew129260]

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

 

[andrew129260]

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....

 

[JW0914]

With the release of Windows 8 and Office 2013, Microsoft changed their licensing structure in a plethora of ways, such as from a 3 user license to a 1 user, as well as differentiating product keys from activation keys.

A product key is required to install Windows 8/8.1, however this is only what it is... a product key. The product key is a generic key and one exists for every version of Windows 8/8.1 that was released (Core, Pro, Enterprise, etc.), however architecture does not matter (x86, x64).

An activation key is required to activate Windows 8/8.1, and unless your reinstalling the same version of Windows that came installed on your PC, this key will not work to install Windows 8/8.1. The activation key only has one purpose... to activate Windows 8/8.1, not install it.

To install Windows 8/8.1 without an answer file, you must use a product key.

This has been repeatedly written about on hundreds of forums since mid 2012, and had you used Google, you would have discovered this. You did not specify which version of Windows 8 you were installing, so I cannot provide you with the generic product key for installation. By performing a Google search for "[your version of Windows] generic product key", you will find the product key that needs to be used for installation. Once Windows is installed, you will need to use PC Settings - Activate to activate Windows 8/8.1.

To provide an example of generic product keys:

Win 8 Pro Product Key: NG4HW-VH26C-733KW-K6F98-J8CK4
Win 8 Enterprise Product Key: 32JNW-9KQ84-P47T8-D8GGY-CWCK7
Win 8.1 Pro Product Key: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

In regards to activation issues... you will need to contact microsoft activation support, which can be accessed via the command "slui 4" and answer "1" to how many machines windows is installed on

 

[andrew129260]

....and had you used Google, you would have discovered this...

I know about the generic keys. Maybe if you read my posts, you would have discovered this. I also did state what I was installing, windows 8.1. I ended up having to use a pro disk to run the vbs file to discover the oem key. The problem is windows cannot activate with an oem activation key and Microsoft is refusing help as according to them, you can only install windows 8 on a retail pc with the retail image that was on the pc originally. You cannot download an iso from them and activate it via the oem key. It has to be the manufacturers media or image.

Which is bull****. It should not be this hard to clean install windows.

 

[alphanumeric]

If you have the correct install media it will read and use the embedded key automatically. If the OEM PC came with Windows 8.0 you need 8.0 install media. If it came with Windows 8.1 you need 8.1 install media. My ASUS laptop came with 8.0 Core, if I use my MSDN Windows 8.0 ISO, 8.0 Core is installed automatically with no prompt for a key. However, if I use my Windows 8.1 ISO I get prompted to enter a key. I'm guessing if the PC came with Windows 8.1 and you use an 8.0 ISO the same thing will happen. The other gotcha is if the OEM PC came with the "Single Language" edition. That's a special ISO that will only use the Single language embedded key.
With my laptop I can do this, Solved Activate retail Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 Product key.. I don't bother though as I use my TechNet Pro keys instead.

What version of Windows originally came on the laptop 8.0 or 8.1? And what is your install media 8.0 or 8.1?

 

[alphanumeric]

....and had you used Google, you would have discovered this...

I know about the generic keys. Maybe if you read my posts, you would have discovered this. I also did state what I was installing, windows 8.1. I ended up having to use a pro disk to run the vbs file to discover the oem key. The problem is windows cannot activate with an oem activation key and Microsoft is refusing help as according to them, you can only install windows 8 on a retail pc with the retail image that was on the pc originally. You cannot download an iso from them and activate it via the oem key. It has to be the manufacturers media or image.

Which is bull****. It should not be this hard to clean install windows.

In the past you did have to have custom OEM Media to do the OEM activation. As far as I know that's not true with Windows 8. The product key is now in the BIOS. My MSDN ISO's which are identical to Retail DVD's will read and use the OEM embedded keys, see my other post.

 

[alphanumeric]

If you installed Pro and your OEM key is only a Core key, you can't activate with it. You would have to install Core with a generic key for that to work.

 

[JW0914]

....and had you used Google, you would have discovered this...

I know about the generic keys. Maybe if you read my posts, you would have discovered this. I also did state what I was installing, windows 8.1. I ended up having to use a pro disk to run the vbs file to discover the oem key. The problem is windows cannot activate with an oem activation key and Microsoft is refusing help as according to them, you can only install windows 8 on a retail pc with the retail image that was on the pc originally. You cannot download an iso from them and activate it via the oem key. It has to be the manufacturers media or image.

Which is bull****. It should not be this hard to clean install windows.

I apologize, as I must have misread.

Is your OEM key a 25 digit product key, or does it contain "OEM" within it? If it contains "OEM" within the key, there is no way for that key to activate 8.1 as keys that contain OEM are Volume license keys generated by the OEM... however, if it's an actual 25 digit PK, you should be able to activate Win 8.1 by using the phone activation via slui 4 because Windows 8.1 is free and thus there isn't an actual Windows 8.1 activation key; Windows 8.1 is activated via the Windows 8 activation key.

However, I may also be misinterpreting a few things in your posts...

 

[andrew129260]

The problem is I do not know what the pc had in terms of windows 8 version, it is a friends and of course the average user does not know what they are buying. It does says windows 8.1 on the back of the pc, so it most likely is windows 8.1 core. Most new pc's are not 8.1 pro out of the box.

If you have the correct install media it will read and use the embedded key automatically.

That is the problem though. How does one obtain the correct install media? Microsoft is telling me I have to get Toshiba's recovery disks and use those as only preinstalled or manufacturer media can work with the built in oem key in the bios.

If you installed Pro and your OEM key is only a Core key, you can't activate with it. You would have to install Core with a generic key for that to work.

Understood, I know that. Just like with windows 7 you cannot activate pro with a ultimate key. Its different keys per version. How do I download windows 8.1 core? All the methods I have done ask for a key at the download, which I do not have.

So this link below you linked me to if I use the generic key to initialize the download process to burn to a disk windows 8 core, then install it and activate it with the oem key that should work? Am I understanding that correctly?

Solved Activate retail Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 Product key.


I also thought my disk was a universal disk, is that not possible for 8 like it was with windows 7?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html



@JW0914

I apologize for my slightly rude response. I am just really frustrated. Maybe I should just cave in and get the recovery media for my friend. He is frustrated too since he needs it soon for work and stuff but the problem is when they will deliver it will take several weeks they said. (It's a 25 key btw)



Am I the only one though that honestly thinks this whole thing is stupid and Microsoft should just go back to the way it was before with a sticker that is easily used to install and activate and be done?

BTW THANKS FOR EVERYONES HELP ON THIS

 

[Layback Bear]

I believe we can than the counterfeiters for this kind of problem.
I also believe that Microsoft and probably other venders are trying to figure out methods to slow down counterfeiting. Which means the rest of us some how are going to have to live with this B/S.

 

[JW0914]

There are a number of ways to get an 8.1 core iso, it just depends on level of risk to the end user. The possible ways are:

1. If there's a lot of applications and user files on the HDD windows is currently installed on, use a spare HDD that has at least 100GB, install Windows 8, then use the tool from the Microsoft Website to download the 8.1 ISO (DO NOT use windows store), and select the option to "save and install later" which will allow you to grab the entire 8.1 install ISO so you don't have this issue in the future. There are plenty of guides that can explain the process step by step if you don't know how. (I thought I had bookmarked one of them, but I don't think I have it anymore... a google search should return quite a few tutorials on how to do it).

2. You can download the 8.1 ISO from a warez site, like warez-bb.org, however, if you do so, you need to scan the ENTIRE download prior to burning to DVD or copying to USB. You will need to make sure your anti-virus is set up to unpack and scan rar, zip, cab, exe, and jar. That's the only downside to downloading an ISO, however, there's also an upside... you can download a Windows 8/8.1 AIO that has every version, both x86 and x64.

3. Create an answer file that bypasses the installer product key request. Windows Installation occurs in 7 separate stages, and creating an answer file for the first two - three is very simple and can be found and created by doing 30 - 60 minutes of research.

I'm more than willing to upload my 8.1 ISO, however it's Pro and if the computer is core, that's not going to help you. Have you physically viewed the PK that's written into the BIOS? If you have, you have to verify if its a regular 25 digit product key or if it has "OEM" within the key. This matters, as it determines what options you have. If you haven't physically seen the BIOS key, there are many free applications that can read it, and I even believe Nirsoft has one or two (nirsoft.net).

 

[JW0914]

I believe we can than the counterfeiters for this kind of problem.
I also believe that Microsoft and probably other venders are trying to figure out methods to slow down counterfeiting. Which means the rest of us some how are going to have to live with this B/S.

BIOS written keys aren't meant to deter piracy, but to make it easier for the end user should they have to do a clean install. They are also meant to counteract the problem of poor COA attachment by the OEM, as they generally, and idiotically, place the COAs on high traffic areas of the laptop, the bottom for instance, which over time renders the COA unreadable. This then creates a huge problem for the end user, as the OEM won't issue you a new COA, and although Microsoft will issue you a new PK, they will only do so if the serial number on the COA is legible (as they, rightfully so, need to verify you actually have a COA).

However, with regards to Microsoft, an educated guess explains the new licensing structure and locking down the installer as a way to combat piracy against the average user that doesn't know how to create an answer file to bypass the setup screen

 

[andrew129260]

@JW0914

Thank you.

As I said though, the previous hard drive had died. It is when I installed a new hard drive is when the problems began, because everything is gone. A new one was installed. So losing data is not an issue, already happened and was unrecoverable.

I used option 5 from this link on the sister site 8 forums here.

Product Key - Find for Windows 8

So whatever that tool reported is the oem key I have. As far as I know and what I read online and elsewhere, it is the most reliable in accuracy.