Reloading windows 8 or 8.1 with a failed Hard Drive

cpucomputers

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Hello all
We are a computer repair shop, we seem to be having the same issue other shops and or people are having, Reloading windows 8 or 8.1 on a system that the product key is embedded in the Bios. We have research this problem and a lot of the time, the answer is completely wrong or off topic.

Scenario only concerning windows 8 or 8.1 any version, also data recover is not a concern: Systems are coming in that are built by a manufacturer (Dell, Toshiba, HP, Compaq, Emachine ect.) the system(s) are out of warranty, They are either in a boot loop, blue screening when loading windows or the hard drive has crashed and isn't loading windows at all. The customers never created recovery disks, nor can we due to windows not loading. We can not get to advanced mode and even if and when we can, creating recovery media is not available.

So let us be clear: We have a system that had windows 8 or 8.1 preinstalled by manufacturer, it was used for multiple months, no recovery media create, now the operating system is not loading, recovery partition corrupt or not accessible, refresh not available, windows product key is embedded in the Bios and is out of warranty.

What we have tried: System with failed hard drive with windows 8 sticker on it. Ran software that extracts product key from BIOS, Inserted an OEM disk for windows 8 and 8.1 when asked to input key, we used the key that was extracted, the installation tells us that the product key is not a OEM key. We do not have a skip button to continue? How in the world can we reload windows 8 or 8.1 on these systems? We have gone through all of the BIOS settings and have tried everything we can think of. If the product key for windows 8 or 8.1 is embedded in the BIOS what do we need to do to make the installation find the key and use it to continue the installation and activate.

From what we are seeing we are not the only one(s) asking this question, the problem is that the reply(s) are: use system refresh, use recovery partition, use recovery media? We understand the reasoning behind having the product key embedded but it shouldn't be this hard to use what the system already has?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thank You
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    8
    Browser
    IE 11
edit:

How to clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key? -> link
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
What did you use to read the product key? For example, speccy doesn't calculate the key correctly.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Built in the basement with the usual thunder, lightning and scary organ music
    CPU
    Intel i5 4690 Quad Core 3.5Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI Z97-G55 SLI, AMI BIOS v1.9
    Memory
    Corsair DDR3 - 8GB (2x4GB) 1600Mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB,
    HDD: WD 1TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 912
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
We know we can use a windows 8.1 key for windows 8. We multiple key extractors, back to original question, how to get windows 8 or 8.1 to use the product key that is embedded in the bios when reinstalling the windows 8 or 8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    8
    Browser
    IE 11
Does any one else see the issue here? These systems are supplied with windows 8 or 8.1. the hard drive fails and now can't used operating system they came with?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    8
    Browser
    IE 11
how to get windows 8 or 8.1 to use the product key that is embedded in the bios when reinstalling the windows 8 or 8.1.

Perhaps you don't have the correct installation media?

edit:

How to clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key? -> link
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
Does any one else see the issue here? These systems are supplied with windows 8 or 8.1. the hard drive fails and now can't used operating system they came with?

Yes this is a quite common problem everyone has the same issue, after extracting the embedded key. You'll need a 8.1 ISO or DVD for the version that is on the computer Core or Pro. Goggle for the current Install Key for the version you are installing. These Generic keys will not activate. So once you get booted up go to Control Panel\System and Security\System bottom left corner you'll see a link to Change Product Key put in your embedded 8 key, if the embedded is an 8.1 it should automatically find the key and activate.
These are old keys I don't know if they are still working or not Remember these are install only keys they will not activate
Windows 8.1 Single Language Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC
Windows 8.1 Core 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Windows 8.1 Pro XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
Same problem

So has anyone found a resolution to this problem? I am an independent computer tech and have this exact issue with a Windows 8 machine where the OS was preloaded and the hd failed completely. I can't reinstall 8 and can't even install 7 at this point. Help!! Have called Microsoft and they were useless as expected.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Did you turn off secure boot in the bios ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro x64 Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 9926
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway GT5404
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 @ 2.66 GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel D945GCL
    Memory
    4GB PC2 6400 @ 800 MHz CL 6-6-6-18
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX660 TF3 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway FPD1975W
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO 120GB SSD / WD 500GB
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    OEM
    Cooling
    OEM
    Keyboard
    Gateway KB-0401
    Mouse
    Gateway MOAKUO
    Internet Speed
    Verizon Quantum Gateway 60 / 60
    Browser
    Chrome / IE11
    Antivirus
    MSE / Defender / MBAM
Ive had the same problem my harddrive failed on me and i didnt have a recovery cd so i downloaded one from microsoft installed it useing a generic key. but it wouldnt accept my oem key to activate i was then told by microsoft to up date it till i got to windows 8.1 and it would just activate its self.but it didnt so finally i gave in and upgraded to windows ten it told because i didnt have and active windows 7 or 8 i would have to buy a windows ten key but when i fineshed installing it i checked and it was activated.this might help someone who doesnt mind running windows 10;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Elitebook
    CPU
    i5 2.7ghz
    Memory
    8gig
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    240 ssd
When encountering that the key that you entered is a valid OEM key that you read from this EUFI and was put there by the hardware manufacturer but it does not work with the version of windows that you are installing:

The key is not for the the version of windows that you are trying to install. Simple as that. When you have tried 8x32 8x64 8.1x32 and 8.1x64 Core Home Pro etc and none of them accepted the key then you are probably dealing with 8.1 w/bing (yes that is a different version it was released in 32bit and 64bit varieties as well as single and multi language flavors.) Windows 8.1with/bing was release in 112 different versions that I am aware of. (If you are from MS or are a member of MSDN and you know for sure, please correct me.) As far as I know, MS has not made 8.1w/bing install disks available to the public through either disks or media creation tools. Good luck finding a copy that fits your key. The with/bing editions were distributed to manufacturers at a much reduced price to be put on low end systems. (https://blogs.windows.com/windowsex...re-partners-build-lower-cost-windows-devices/) The bottom line here is that only the manufacturers will have access to w/bing installation media. OEMs can sell cheaper hardware because of reduced licensing fees and MS's bing search engine will see more traffic because OEMs are prevented by agreement from choosing their own search providers. Win/Win for everyone except the consumer and the small repair shops. But hey, OEMs will sell more systems if they are disposable because they cant be fixed after harddisk failure.

For more information about understanding windows 8.1 editions please see Download Windows 8.1 OEM and Retail .iso
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Various
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