Need assistance in recovering from disk failure

Mediaman09

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Member
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Woke up this morning to a frozen Windows 8 screen. Only way out was to power off.

On reboot, my nightmare began.

No boot device. Long story short, I went through many attempts at a reset, repair, reinstalls, off the Windows 8 DVD, all to no avail. Indeed, when I booted into Dell diagnostics, it confirmed a failed hard drive.

(Sidebar : was there an automated patch pushed last night.....like there was for Win 7? I wonder if that's what helped clobber my 2 month old Dell ).

Keeping calm, I know I have all my data backed, up, but I am trying to avoid having to rebuild everything from scratch. I have been vigilant in doing image and file backups for years..... But I always manage to hit a brick wall somewhere along the way.

I have summarized what I have and do not have available to me here :

EaseUS Software • View topic - Need assistance with recovering from disk failure

..... And I hope to get some guidance from the EaseUs forum.... But I would appreciate any tips and cautions form the Windows 8 users here

Many thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
OPTION 1 (relies on EaseUs and brings back all my apps)
- install the new drive
- use EaseUs (or other tools) to partition the new drive into 3 partitions: tiny small and large ( for the hidden, os/apps/profiles, data partitions respectively)
Note - at this point windows 8 is not even installed
- boot with the ease us cd
- attempt to recover the hidden and small partition FROM the backup drive TO the new drive ( to tiny/small partitions)
- reboot the new drive (will it really boot up into Windows 8 ???
- populate the new large partition from my backup data files

That should work.

Have fun with it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Fun is that last thing I am having

OPTION 1 HAS FAILED.... it booted right into a prompt to repair, which resulted in a fail to repair.

WORSE, OPTION 2 HAS FAILED !!!!!!!!!!! ARGHHHHHH

How can this possibly happen. Booted with the original Win 8 OEM DVD on the original machine, and it tells me " The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for the installation Enter a different product key"

WTF. There was no product key entered !!!!! And there is no way to enter one !!! let alone a different one !!!!

i cannot even bring this to Dell to repair as all my personal information is there, even on the "clobbered" drive,.

PLEASE HELP

I AM ALL OUT OF OPTIONS!!!

NOT ONLY CAN I NOT INSTALL WINDOWS 8, BUT NOW I THINK MY BACKUP DATA IS GONE ARRGGHHHH. I SURE HOPE MY EXTERNAL DRIVE STILL HAS GOOD DATA ON IT, BUT ONE STEP AT A TIME. HOW DO I GET WINDOWS 8 TO INSTALL ??????????
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
When you start the install you get the screen to install Windows 8 screen and then choose install then what happens? Plus I assume you have the BIOS set to boot to the CD-DVD ROM drive for install, I think doing all this partitioning and such has caused the problems for you, but i may be wrong, just try doing a clean install and set your partitions ( you want) with Windows when you get to that part of the install. Under warranty I would take it back if only 2 months old. Good Luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built Antec P-180B Case
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    Asus P5QPro Turbo
    Memory
    Kingston PC6300 4 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD5670
When you start the install you get the screen to install Windows 8 screen and then choose install then what happens?
I get " The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for the installation Enter a different product key"

I assume you have the BIOS set to boot to the CD-DVD ROM drive for install,
Correct

I think doing all this partitioning and such has caused the problems for you, but i may be wrong,
i did not do any partitioning, but maybe EaseUs did.

just try doing a clean install and set your partitions ( you want) with Windows when you get to that part of the install.
Not possible as i cannot get that far.

Under warranty I would take it back if only 2 months old.
But i cannot leave any hard drive in the machine as it has my confidential data.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
The OEM disc did it come with your system or is it one you purchased, what do you mean by original machine and are you trying to install Windows 8 pro with a Window 8 key possibly. You have a new raw unformatted drive attached to the machine you are trying to do the install on is that correct? If you have one I would try a new HD unformatted, or take the one out that is in the system and format it and then try to do a clean install. Why is there a drive in the system with confidential info if its a new drive. Double check your key you are using for incorrect letter number etc. Good Luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built Antec P-180B Case
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    Asus P5QPro Turbo
    Memory
    Kingston PC6300 4 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD5670
A stupid question: did you replace the failed hard drive?

Trying to reinstall the OS on a bad disk strikes me as a waste of time.

I suppose that Dell uses a licensing scheme where installing the OS from a Dell restore disk would not require you to enter a license key at all. The restore disk would have to match the PC, though.

If you have a separate data disk, you should probably disconnect it while you're trying to re-establish the OS. Just in case. If you get a good Windows installation, you can power down the PC and connect the data HD. You may have to change some drive letters, but that's not difficult or dangerous.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
The OEM disc did it come with your system or is it one you purchased.
Neither. Nothing came with the machine when it arrived, so I called Dell and they sent me a Dell OEM Win 8 DVD

what do you mean by original machine .
Simply that its not like I am trying to pull a fast one ansd install Win 8 on a different machine. I ahve a 2 month old Dell with a failed drive. I have bought a new drive at TigerDirect (didnt care about the Dell warranty - just wanted to get back up and running -- still wanting that.

are you trying to install Windows 8 pro with a Window 8 key possibly.
No. Basic Windows 8 only.

T You have a new raw unformatted drive attached to the machine you are trying to do the install on is that correct? If you have one I would try a new HD unformatted, or take the one out that is in the system and format it and then try to do a clean install..

Correct. Tried all that. It gives me the error about prordcuts keys. I found out why - will explain in a post in a moment

Why is there a drive in the system with confidential info if its a new drive.
I was referring to the clobbered drive, and not wanting to give it back to Dell when they replaced it.


Double check your key you are using for incorrect letter number etc. Good Luck.
Not possible . This is Windows 8. No key
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
A stupid question: did you replace the failed hard drive?
Trying to reinstall the OS on a bad disk strikes me as a waste of time.
.
Agree . Only working with a new drive. The clobbered drive is out of the picture.

I suppose that Dell uses a licensing scheme where installing the OS from a Dell restore disk would not require you to enter a license key at all. The restore disk would have to match the PC, though.

And there in lies the problem. In order to recover from a failed hard drive , on a Dell machine, and reinstall Windows 8, one would need to purchase a retail liscense!! So, my attempts to do this with Dells own OEM Win 8 DVD were futile. This is both insane, and unacceaptable.

I engaged the help of the Dell forum, and as of now, two things are happening ( I am still dead in teh water)

1) Dell tech is coming Monday to get me back to a factory version on Windows 8. I may cancel the appt if I get items (2) below done this weekend.

2) I am downgrading my machine to Windows 7, as I cannot tolerate the scenario where I cannot rebuild my own system due to a licensing issue! And given I need to buy another lisence, I may as well go with Windows 7. I have had not joy at all with Windows 8. This downgrade also allows me to standardize all my newer machines on Windows 7 ( all with the same dual 1 TB Black caviar drives)

See post here : HELP!!! XPS 8500 Nightmare - .cannot reinstall Dell Windows 8 (with DVD) on new hard drive. - Windows 8 - Software & Operating Systems - Dell Community
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Well glad you got the answer I was going to tell you about the same issue with the OEM - Retail issue that I ran into with one of my clients next post, but you beat me to it hope everything turns out alright for you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built Antec P-180B Case
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    Asus P5QPro Turbo
    Memory
    Kingston PC6300 4 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD5670
sandman - what did you end up doing for your client? - downgrade (aka upgrade) to Win 7 or just pay for another license?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I think as i recall we called Microsoft and told then of our problem, just like you are having and they ask the stupid questions how many systems is the key being used on and you say just one and it was a harddrive failure and you are trying to reinstall the operating system and have the issues you are experiencing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built Antec P-180B Case
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    Asus P5QPro Turbo
    Memory
    Kingston PC6300 4 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD5670
I had this problem trying to install my copy of Windows 8 Pro on my new HP which came with 8 Home Premium. I was just trying to reconfigure the system by adding a 2nd drive. The restore failed and I tried to install 8 Pro and got the same error you did. Fortunately, I found a solution to it, but you have to put your copy of Windows 8 on a USB drive. All you do is create a text file called PID.txt and put it in the "Sources" folder on the install USB disk. Use this format:


[PID]
Value=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Put your Windows serial number in place of the X's. Put this information in a file using Notepad and save it as PID.txt, then copy it to the "Sources" folder. You then should be able to install your copy of Windows. To make a USB copy of your Windows 8 see this link: How to install Windows 8 from a USB drive - Software - Tech Explained - HEXUS.net

HP and other manufacturers are putting the Windows serial numbers on the system boards. This is why you do not see the serial on a sticker on your laptop! I would imagine you will run into the same issue if you try to install Windows 7. I think this practice stinks, but I will not get into that right now!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I had this problem trying to install my copy of Windows 8 Pro on my new HP which came with 8 Home Premium. I was just trying to reconfigure the system by adding a 2nd drive. The restore failed and I tried to install 8 Pro and got the same error you did. Fortunately, I found a solution to it, but you have to put your copy of Windows 8 on a USB drive. All you do is create a text file called PID.txt and put it in the "Sources" folder on the install USB disk. Use this format:


[PID]
Value=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Put your Windows serial number in place of the X's. Put this information in a file using Notepad and save it as PID.txt, then copy it to the "Sources" folder. You then should be able to install your copy of Windows. To make a USB copy of your Windows 8 see this link: How to install Windows 8 from a USB drive - Software - Tech Explained - HEXUS.net

HP and other manufacturers are putting the Windows serial numbers on the system boards. This is why you do not see the serial on a sticker on your laptop! I would imagine you will run into the same issue if you try to install Windows 7. I think this practice stinks, but I will not get into that right now!

Well, certainly quite interesting, and I'm sure that will be invaluable to many. So thanks for that!

Not that it matters in my case ( as I am now back on win 7), but what serial number would I put in there? Is the key visible by getting in the BIOS.. Recall, all I had to work with was a new drive and a DVD (which didn't even come with the unit - I had to request it). So if the key is not visible in the BIOS, I could not use this solution..

And where do you get the Win 8 images files from ....the links on the page you referenced no longer have the image files.

Also how are users supposed to know this solution even exists?

Finally, no, I did not have this issue at all with Win 7. The key is visible.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I had this problem trying to install my copy of Windows 8 Pro on my new HP which came with 8 Home Premium. I was just trying to reconfigure the system by adding a 2nd drive. The restore failed and I tried to install 8 Pro and got the same error you did. Fortunately, I found a solution to it, but you have to put your copy of Windows 8 on a USB drive. All you do is create a text file called PID.txt and put it in the "Sources" folder on the install USB disk. Use this format:


[PID]
Value=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Put your Windows serial number in place of the X's. Put this information in a file using Notepad and save it as PID.txt, then copy it to the "Sources" folder. You then should be able to install your copy of Windows. To make a USB copy of your Windows 8 see this link: How to install Windows 8 from a USB drive - Software - Tech Explained - HEXUS.net

HP and other manufacturers are putting the Windows serial numbers on the system boards. This is why you do not see the serial on a sticker on your laptop! I would imagine you will run into the same issue if you try to install Windows 7. I think this practice stinks, but I will not get into that right now!

Well, certainly quite interesting, and I'm sure that will be invaluable to many. So thanks for that!

Not that it matters in my case ( as I am now back on win 7), but what serial number would I put in there? Is the key visible by getting in the BIOS.. Recall, all I had to work with was a new drive and a DVD (which didn't even come with the unit - I had to request it). So if the key is not visible in the BIOS, I could not use this solution..

And where do you get the Win 8 images files from ....the links on the page you referenced no longer have the image files.

Also how are users supposed to know this solution even exists?

Finally, no, I did not have this issue at all with Win 7. The key is visible.



I am glad to hear that you did not have an issue installing Win7. I thought the way the new laptops were setup, you would get that error if you tried installing any other OS other than what came on it. You cannot see the Win8 serial. Sorry, I thought your DVD had a serial on it. When I found out that the serial for my system was on the system board and I found that work around to install 8 Pro, there was also a link to several utilities that would enable you to see the Win8 Home serial on your system. You may want to try Googling that as I cannot remember their names. If I find them I will post the link here. As far as the Win 8 image, I got that when I purchased Win 8 Pro online and downloaded it to my system. I still have the ISO file so I was able to create a Windows 8 USB disk. I found out this information by looking on the internet and on this forum.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I think I read that once loaded, you can get the key by running tools like BelArc...maybe even native SysInfo..... probably a good thing to mark down and keep safe for those who currently have working systems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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