COA Change when upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1?

BuckeyeAaron

New Member
Messages
12
Hello all. First post here. I have been having several issues with Windows 8 (more specifically Windows 8.1) within the past few months. Toshiba Customer Service has not been able to assist so I am somewhat at my wits end since I can't seem to find any relevant webpages that discuss my particular concern/issue.

As I'm sure many of you on here are aware, or have any experienced, my Toshiba U845T-S4165 has been dropping WiFi access, switching to "Limited" WiFi status, or cannot connect to my network whatsoever. The most aggravating thing is that this happens at seemingly random times and frequency. I can go a week or two with no issue and then one day I have constant problems where I can't connect after repeated tries. I have trouble-shooted everything I can and have tried some workarounds I found online. I finally contacted Toshiba and all they did was delete my network driver and redownload/reinstall it. That seemed to stabilize the problem for about 8 days or so but now I am having consistent issues.

I have read that many people started experiencing this problem after upgrading to Windows 8.1. While I can't say with absolute certainly that my problems began after upgrading, but they may have. So I am trying to revert to Windows 8. Now this would be a seemingly easy process however ignorantly and stupidly I did not create recovery media after I initially bought the laptop and built-in recovery drive has been, again stupidly, deleted during my upgrade process to 8.1. So in short, I have no recovery media.

I did find a source online that sells Windows 8 downloadable software that I can download, burn to DVD, and then start from scratch. However, I must provide my own COA. I used Belarc Advisor to find my current COA. However, this COA is associated with Windows 8.1. So my ultimate question is: Will this COA work with a Windows 8 recovery media? Did the COA change when I upgraded from Windows 8 to 8.1? I don't want to start this process and then get screwed midway through because my COA isn't valid when downgrading.

Sorry for the long, rambling post for a seemingly straight-to-the-point question but I wanted to provide some background info. Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba U845T-S4165
BuckeyeAaron said:
I did find a source online that sells Windows 8 downloadable software that I can download, burn to DVD, and then start from scratch. However, I must provide my own COA. I used Belarc Advisor to find my current COA. However, this COA is associated with Windows 8.1. So my ultimate question is: Will this COA work with a Windows 8 recovery media? Did the COA change when I upgraded from Windows 8 to 8.1? I don't want to start this process and then get screwed midway through because my COA isn't valid when downgrading.


You can not use the key extracted from the UEFI/BIOS firmware to download the Windows 8.1 ISO, you can only use the key to ACTIVATE.
The generic keys can only be used to install Windows 8.1 & not ACTIVATE or to download the Windows 8.1 ISO .

You would to buy the DVD & Product Key.



BuckeyeAaron said:
I have read that many people started experiencing this problem after upgrading to Windows 8.1. While I can't say with absolute certainly that my problems began after upgrading, but they may have. So I am trying to revert to Windows 8. Now this would be a seemingly easy process however ignorantly and stupidly I did not create recovery media after I initially bought the laptop and built-in recovery drive has been, again stupidly, deleted during my upgrade process to 8.1. So in short, I have no recovery media.

Updating Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store will NOT DELETE the Recovery Partition.

I would recommend you making the OEM manufacturer's Recovery DVD's or USB drive.
How to make Toshiba Recovery disks.

Toshiba How-To: Create System Recovery Media DVDs on a Windows 8 Laptop - YouTube
Toshiba How-To: Understanding Windows 8 system recovery options - YouTube
Creating Recovery Media for Windows 8 - TOSHIBA FORUMS
or
You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the OEM manufacturer's website.
Toshiba Service Portal - Laptop Recovery Media Services - Toshiba
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Thanks for the reply. So it looks like buying Win8 through an online source (EZ93) isn't going to be my magic bullet...

And I'm sorry but my recovery partition has been deleted. If not from upgrading to Windows 8.1 then it must have happened some other way through no means of my own. At least, I am about 99% recovery partition is gone. I have attempted it in the past and here is what happens:

Press and hold 0 while restarting > Receive msg "The hard drive recovery process has been selected" > Select "Yes" > US Keyboard Layout selected > Troubleshoot > Reset PC > Choose Target Operating System > Windows 8.1 (only option I have) > "Unable to reset your PC. A required drive partition is missing."

So if I am missing something please let me know.

Or perhaps the better question to ask is, how do I revert to Windows 8 as painlessly and cheaply as possible? And if I do, any experience out there show that my WiFi woes will be solved?

To be honest, I am seriously considering just dumping this PC off and picking up a MAC (which I thought I would never say) because this whole issue has been so frustrating. Doing so is obviously not fiscally prudent though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba U845T-S4165
Not sure if I did this correctly. Be patient. I am far from a PC expert.

Disk Management.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba U845T-S4165
Not sure if I did this correctly. Be patient. I am far from a PC expert.

The screenshot is file.

The Toshiba Recovery Partition is NOT deleted.

Try making the Toshiba Recovery DVD/USB disk.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Ok. I will attempt it. But any idea why I am receiving the message I did when attempting to use the "Reset" feature?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba U845T-S4165
The Windows 8.1 RESET will NOT use a Windows 8 Recovery Partition.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
OK. So by making the DVDs this will give me the ability to recover the Toshiba to factory settings (i.e. Windows 8), correct?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba U845T-S4165
OK. So by making the DVDs this will give me the ability to recover the Toshiba to factory settings (i.e. Windows 8), correct?
or Recovery USB drive.

YES, it should do.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Ok. Thanks so much. I am making the DVDs right now. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba U845T-S4165
I can't seem to catch a break. I initiated the recovery disks just fine then I got an error saying it couldn't complete the first disk and to insert a new one (and to make sure the original didn't have dirt or was scratched). So I ejected the DVD and put in a clean disk and I kept getting repeat errors saying "insert blank DVD". I tried nearly every DVD I had in the stack and it never would recognize any of them. I restarted and tried again and the same thing.... Not sure where the problem is. The computer recognizes the DVD drive (it is an external connected via USB - Samsung slim model) so I suppose the error is with the DVD drive reading the DVDs. I've never had that issue before. I think tried using my external hard drive but that won't work. Apparently they aren't formatted the same as flash drives. At any rate, I'm now off to go buy a 16GB flash drive as I don't own any that large and apparently. Fun times....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba U845T-S4165
Ok. I finally got a recovery media via USB completed. It required two trips to the store as the first flash I bought is incompatible with Toshiba (don't buy SunDisk and save yourself the hassle). I will attempt the recovery later this week and hopefully I will be semi-happily back to using Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba U845T-S4165
SanDisk USB Thumb Drives don't show up as removable Media. SanDisk did this on purpose, I have no idea why. A side effect of that is that so some utilities won't use them as all they look for is removable media. The Windows 7 DVD Download Tool for example won't list them as an option to use. The Windows Recovery Utility likely ignores them too because of this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I have on SanDisk USB Thumb Drives (8gb to 32GB)

SONY Windows 8 Recovery

Fujitsu Windows 8 Recovery

Fujitsu Windows 7 Recovery

MSDaRT Windows 8 Recovery

Paragon 12 Windows 8 Recovery

Symantec SSR 2013 Windows 8 Recovery

MSDaRT Windows 8.1 Recovery

Paragon 14 Windows 8.1 Recovery

SIW2 Windows 7/8/8.1 Recovery

Windows Vista installer

Windows 7 installer

Windows 8 installer

Windows 8.1 installer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I think it may be a Toshiba specific issue - from what I read. Regardless, I ran out and picked up a HP brand and it worked fine. I plan to try "recovering" today. I'll keep you posted and see how it goes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba U845T-S4165
Still having issues. This is what I did:

Logged into my Account > Plugged in Recovery Media (HP Flash Drive) > Opened Charm Bar > Settings > Change PC Settings (located at bottom) > Update and Recovery >Recovery > Advanced Startup/Restart Now > Choose an Option > Use A Device > EFI USB Device > Message "System doesn't have any USB boot option. Please select other boot option in boot manager." > OK > Boot Menu: 1. HDD1/SSDI 2. HDD2/SSD2 TOSHIBA THNSNF128GMCS (S2) 3. USB 4. LAN <ENTER SETUP> <HDD RECOVERY> > I selected USB thinking it may give me the option to recover via USB and Windows simply loaded as normally would.

What am I doing wrong?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba U845T-S4165
I have on SanDisk USB Thumb Drives (8gb to 32GB)

SONY Windows 8 Recovery

Fujitsu Windows 8 Recovery

Fujitsu Windows 7 Recovery

MSDaRT Windows 8 Recovery

Paragon 12 Windows 8 Recovery

Symantec SSR 2013 Windows 8 Recovery

MSDaRT Windows 8.1 Recovery

Paragon 14 Windows 8.1 Recovery

SIW2 Windows 7/8/8.1 Recovery

Windows Vista installer

Windows 7 installer

Windows 8 installer

Windows 8.1 installer

That's nice, I didn't say you couldn't use them just that some utilities won't use them. It may not be all SanDisk thumb drives either. The ones I have are new, only bough a couple of months ago. I use one of them for installing Windows 8.1 on my laptop. I had to use diskpart to set it up as the Windows DVD Download tool wouldn't use the SanDisk thumb drive. My Kingston thumb drives work fine in that utility though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Still having issues. This is what I did:

Logged into my Account > Plugged in Recovery Media (HP Flash Drive) > Opened Charm Bar > Settings > Change PC Settings (located at bottom) > Update and Recovery >Recovery > Advanced Startup/Restart Now > Choose an Option > Use A Device > EFI USB Device > Message "System doesn't have any USB boot option. Please select other boot option in boot manager." > OK > Boot Menu: 1. HDD1/SSDI 2. HDD2/SSD2 TOSHIBA THNSNF128GMCS (S2) 3. USB 4. LAN <ENTER SETUP> <HDD RECOVERY> > I selected USB thinking it may give me the option to recover via USB and Windows simply loaded as normally would.

What am I doing wrong?

Try booting right from the USB thumb drive and bypass Windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Still having issues. This is what I did:

Logged into my Account > Plugged in Recovery Media (HP Flash Drive) > Opened Charm Bar > Settings > Change PC Settings (located at bottom) > Update and Recovery >Recovery > Advanced Startup/Restart Now > Choose an Option > Use A Device > EFI USB Device > Message "System doesn't have any USB boot option. Please select other boot option in boot manager." > OK > Boot Menu: 1. HDD1/SSDI 2. HDD2/SSD2 TOSHIBA THNSNF128GMCS (S2) 3. USB 4. LAN <ENTER SETUP> <HDD RECOVERY> > I selected USB thinking it may give me the option to recover via USB and Windows simply loaded as normally would.

What am I doing wrong?

Try booting right from the USB thumb drive and bypass Windows.

How do I do that? And if I boot right from USB, will that initiate reformatting/recovery sequence? Sorry for having to be spoon fed this stuff guys.... I'm PC skills aren't terribly strong.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba U845T-S4165
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