Solved Product Keys and Drive Installation Selection

Hi

I have visited eightforums many times for help without having to post my own question, until now.

I have an Asus S56CA Ultrabook that came with Win 8. I decided I needed the extra features of Win 8 Pro and purchased that from Microsoft in the form of an ISO which I burnt to a DVD. I upgraded and all way fine.

Until I decided to re-install everything to clean up the laptop. I did this and then realised that Windows had installed on the hard drive instead of the SSD.

First Problem - Drive Selection:

My DVD Windows 8.0 Pro installation does allow me to select a drive to install Windows on. I understand some versions ask what type of installation you want, and you can select Custom to change the drive. How do I add that feature to my Win * Pro DVD?

Second Problem - Product Key:

I removed the HHD to force an installation on the SSD and booted from the DVD. The Installation process starts automatically and this method does not ask for a Product Key; instead I get the message: "The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key"

From research, I understand that there is the original Windows 8 Product Key hidden in the BIOS. I have seen various files to create and save in the Windows Sources directory on the installation medium, but that does not work with a DVD.

Can anyone tell me what to do.

Although these are two problems, I think solving one will meet my aim of installing Windows 8 Pro onto my SSD.

Thanks

Run this VBS script to find your OEM & installed keys---

View attachment ShowKey v1.3.vbs

A picture---

Thanks David; I already know all my product codes, for the original Win8 and the upgrade Win8Pro. The problem is with changing the installation drive when I run Windows Installation from within the existing Windows and changing the Product Key when I boot up from the DVDS and run Install.

macshmi said:

Thanks David; I already know all my product codes, for the original Win8 and the upgrade Win8Pro. The problem is with changing the installation drive when I run Windows Installation from within the existing Windows and changing the Product Key when I boot up from the DVDS and run Install.

Click to expand...

When I wanted to change boot options I did so in the bios.
Either by setting a selected drive or device as #1 in the boot menu or enabling the boot menu & pressing F-12 at startup to get the boot menu & choosing the connected drive or device from there.

macshmi said:

The Installation process starts automatically and this method does not ask for a Product Key; instead I get the message: "The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key."

Click to expand...

You have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 (core) product key and you try to install Windows 8.1 Pro.

Installation fails with error message: The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key.

To resolve this problem, download the latest installation media. The error message does not appear in this new installation media.

1. Download Windows 8.1 Pro installation media (see this link for help).

2. Boot the computer from your Windows 8.1 Pro USB/DVD.

3. Enter your Windows 8/8.1 Pro product key (see screenshot below).

Hi Genet

Thanks for the information; I am travelling again and will attempt your method next weekend. I will update this thread with the results

Genet, thanks worked perfectly

You are welcome.