Install Windows 8.1 without recovery disk

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LTd

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I had an accident with my laptop involving the floor and gravity resulting in a malfunctioning harddrive. The laptop is a Samsung with no optical drives and came with Windows 8 preinstalled and with recovery image on a separate partition. I guess that's how they do it these days, at least it's cheaper than a $2 DVD or a $5 USB flashdrive. Fortunately the rest of the laptop survived and I managed to replace it with a different harddrive I had lying around, but now I don't know how to get my windows back anymore. Samsung wasn't any help and neither the supplier.

I do however run Windows 8 on another computer (this one), and this version came on DVD and as far as I know it's an OEM version with key printed on the cover. So my question is then; can I use this DVD to install Windows on my computer by copying it to USB (not directly, but through proper procedures), or will it simply not work due to different computers, different keys or whatnot?

Do I just have to buy another copy of Windows?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
LTd said:
I do however run Windows 8 on another computer (this one), and this version came on DVD and as far as I know it's an OEM version with key printed on the cover. So my question is then; can I use this DVD to install Windows on my computer by copying it to USB (not directly, but through proper procedures), or will it simply not work due to different computers, different keys or whatnot?
Click to expand...

No - If the DVD is OEM recovery DVD.
Yes - If the DVD is OEM System Builder DVD.

Take a look at this post: How to clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key?
 

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.
genet said:
LTd said:
I do however run Windows 8 on another computer (this one), and this version came on DVD and as far as I know it's an OEM version with key printed on the cover. So my question is then; can I use this DVD to install Windows on my computer by copying it to USB (not directly, but through proper procedures), or will it simply not work due to different computers, different keys or whatnot?
Click to expand...

No - If the DVD is OEM recovery DVD.
Yes - If the DVD is OEM System Builder DVD.

Take a look at this post: How to clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key?
Click to expand...

Okay. I *think* the DVD is an "OEM System Builder DVD", based on the fact that I bought it for approx $100 and installed it on a fresh PC and it worked.

Since last post here I made an ISO from this DVD and flashed it to an USB stick and installed windows on the laptop. After logging in I was prompted to activate windows, whereby I used "RWeverything" to obtain the key and tried to activate it. The key was accepted, however the activation process halted and it stated that the "activation server reported that the product key has exceeded its unlock limit" and I was asked to contact the Microsoft support by phone.

Which I did, and was prompted to enter about 60 numbers in sequence only to be told that the opening hours are monday-friday between 08.00-16.00.

So will this eventually work or can't I use this method if this DVD has already been used on a different computer (with a different key)?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
LTd said:
genet said:
LTd said:
I do however run Windows 8 on another computer (this one), and this version came on DVD and as far as I know it's an OEM version with key printed on the cover. So my question is then; can I use this DVD to install Windows on my computer by copying it to USB (not directly, but through proper procedures), or will it simply not work due to different computers, different keys or whatnot?
Click to expand...

No - If the DVD is OEM recovery DVD.
Yes - If the DVD is OEM System Builder DVD.

Take a look at this post: How to clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key?
Click to expand...

Okay. I *think* the DVD is an "OEM System Builder DVD", based on the fact that I bought it for approx $100 and installed it on a fresh PC and it worked.

Since last post here I made an ISO from this DVD and flashed it to an USB stick and installed windows on the laptop. After logging in I was prompted to activate windows, whereby I used "RWeverything" to obtain the key and tried to activate it. The key was accepted, however the activation process halted and it stated that the "activation server reported that the product key has exceeded its unlock limit" and I was asked to contact the Microsoft support by phone.

Which I did, and was prompted to enter about 60 numbers in sequence only to be told that the opening hours are monday-friday between 08.00-16.00.

So will this eventually work or can't I use this method if this DVD has already been used on a different computer (with a different key)?
Click to expand...

Yes if you installed using a generic Key, then once installed activate with the Key you own that is separate from any other Install. Two installs require 2 Product Keys
 

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
Clintlgm said:
LTd said:
genet said:
No - If the DVD is OEM recovery DVD.
Yes - If the DVD is OEM System Builder DVD.

Take a look at this post: How to clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key?
Click to expand...

Okay. I *think* the DVD is an "OEM System Builder DVD", based on the fact that I bought it for approx $100 and installed it on a fresh PC and it worked.

Since last post here I made an ISO from this DVD and flashed it to an USB stick and installed windows on the laptop. After logging in I was prompted to activate windows, whereby I used "RWeverything" to obtain the key and tried to activate it. The key was accepted, however the activation process halted and it stated that the "activation server reported that the product key has exceeded its unlock limit" and I was asked to contact the Microsoft support by phone.

Which I did, and was prompted to enter about 60 numbers in sequence only to be told that the opening hours are monday-friday between 08.00-16.00.

So will this eventually work or can't I use this method if this DVD has already been used on a different computer (with a different key)?
Click to expand...

Yes if you installed using a generic Key, then once installed activate with the Key you own that is separate from any other Install. Two installs require 2 Product Keys
Click to expand...

What is a generic key? The one embedded in the laptop BIOS or the one printed on the cover of the Windows 8 DVD?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
LTd said:
What is a generic key?
Click to expand...

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

Generic keys to install with:

  • Windows 8 (core): FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3
  • Windows 8 Pro: XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH
  • Windows 8 Pro with Media Center: RR3BN-3YY9P-9D7FC-7J4YF-QGJXW
  • Windows 8.1 (core): 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
  • Windows 8.1 (core single language): Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC
  • Windows 8.1 Pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
  • Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center: GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT
  • Windows 8.1 Enterprise: MNDGV-M6PKV-DV4DR-CYY8X-2YRXH OR FHQNR-XYXYC-8PMHT-TV4PH-DRQ3H
Click to expand...
 

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.
genet said:
LTd said:
What is a generic key?
Click to expand...

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

Generic keys to install with:

  • Windows 8 (core): FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3
  • Windows 8 Pro: XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH
  • Windows 8 Pro with Media Center: RR3BN-3YY9P-9D7FC-7J4YF-QGJXW
  • Windows 8.1 (core): 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
  • Windows 8.1 (core single language): Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC
  • Windows 8.1 Pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
  • Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center: GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT
  • Windows 8.1 Enterprise: MNDGV-M6PKV-DV4DR-CYY8X-2YRXH OR FHQNR-XYXYC-8PMHT-TV4PH-DRQ3H
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

I didn't have to enter a key before installing. I guess it found it in the BIOS. However, I have to enter the key in activation, but it says that the key is already used - on the computer I'm installing the windows on. I guess I'll have to contact Microsoft support.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
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