New Hard Drive - Win 8 Re Install

kingrollo

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I have a win 8 Dell Vostro 2520 - The hard drive has crashed - so Ive ordered a new one. I have a win 8.1 home premuim DVD - but have used the license key on another install.

Would I be able to use this disk to reinstall Win 8 on the laptop - or does it have to be precisley the same version to pick up the key in the Bios ?

If I have to go to dell for reinstall disks or buy and 8.1 license - it makes the repair not viable....

Any help appreciated....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
Thank you.
How do I know which version of win 8 I had installed ? - can I tell this from the bios

What I trying to avoid is downloading loads of different version of win 8 ...win 8.1 - install, install, then if fails to activate !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
How do I know which version of win 8 I had installed ? - can I tell this from the bios
If you can not boot your Windows, it´s difficult to say. Another option would be to surf your laptop´s manufacturer and search your laptop model in its database. They usually publish what´s called Product Page, or Product specifications, where they mention preinstalled Windows version.

If I have to go to dell for reinstall disks or buy and 8.1 license - it makes the repair not viable....
A way to avoid reinstalling your Windows everytime something goes terribly wrong is to get an image of your Windows installation using image software such as TrueImage. It will also preserve your Windows license.

However, if you have already purchased a Windows license by the time you adquired your laptop, from my perspective, it´s acceptable to install a pirated copy (but same edition) and then proceed with pirate activation. Therefore you won´t have to worry about license, activation process, etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core2Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte ep35-ds3r rev 2.1
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVdia 9400GT
My MSDN ISO's, which I believe are identical to retail DVD's, will install 8.1 (Core) or 8.1 Pro depending on what key is detected or entered. If I use that ISO on my laptop, 8.1 (Core) is installed by default with no prompt to enter any key. Activates online automatically with no issues. My laptop has an 8.0 (Core) embedded key. If I use the same ISO on my desktop PC, that has no embedded key, I'm prompted to enter a product code. If I enter a Pro key Pro is installed, if I enter a non Pro Core key, core is installed. Try the DVD you have, if you don't get prompted for a key your all set, if you do get asked to enter a key, then try the Media Creation Tool download. If the COA sticker doesn't say Pro on it, it's likely 8.1 or 8.1 Single Language. Hopefully its not the With Bing version as that can be hard to get your hands on. As far as I know, there is no such thing as Windows 8.1 Home Premium? There is 8.1 and 8.1 Pro.
 

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
OK - its asking for key ! - with the 8.1 OEM version that I purchased or the 8.1 pro ISO that I downloaded ? - any ideas - ? pretty desparate now !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
OK - its asking for key ! - with the 8.1 OEM version that I purchased or the 8.1 pro ISO that I downloaded ? - any ideas - ? pretty desparate now !

Well if you downloaded a Pro version you'll need to put in a Pro Key! If your OEM version was Core then you'll need to download core version for your embedded key to work!! or to use your purchased OEM Core Key

If its not accepting your embedded key you probably have the wrong ISO
 

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
OK - its asking for key ! - with the 8.1 OEM version that I purchased or the 8.1 pro ISO that I downloaded ? - any ideas - ? pretty desparate now !

Well if you downloaded a Pro version you'll need to put in a Pro Key! If your OEM version was Core then you'll need to download core version for your embedded key to work!! or to use your purchased OEM Core Key

If its not accepting your embedded key you probably have the wrong ISO

Thats the problem as the HDD crashed I don't know which version it is ? - its a dell vostro 2520 it came with win 8 preinstalled
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
If the COA sticker doesn't say Pro its likely Core or Core Single language. If you've tried Core now try the Single Language version. If you still get asked for a key then it was the with Bing edition. I'd be surprised if it was the with Bing, that's only installed on low end system with small screens, as far as I know anyway. There is a showkey.vbs tool that will tell you but you have to be able to boot into windows to run it. these keys will let you install Windows 8 but won't activate.
Windows 8 (core): 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

Windows 8 Pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

Windows 8 Enterprise: MNDGV-M6PKV-DV4DR-CYY8X-2YRXH
FHQNR-XYXYC-8PMHT-TV4PH-DRQ3H
I got them from this thread, http://www.eightforums.com/installa...retail-windows-8-1-windows-8-product-key.html Once in option six here, http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27129-product-key-find-windows-8-a.html should tell you what you want to know.
 

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
Did you register the computer when you bought it? If so you may be able to go to the Manufacturers web site and see the specs for you system, including what OS was installed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
I'm surprised..... that it was even mentioned that a person could download a pre-activated version of Windows 8.1 (AIO).
I didn't think that would be allowed here. Hmmmm!

But actually it's just another fact of life, like death and taxes. I don't advocate either one and try to avoid both, but, they are real......
Just like that downloaded ISO of an AIO version of 8.1.
It does contain more than just the two versions previously mentioned...at least six or more, in both 32 bit and 64 bit versions.
I saw such a thing, one day, at a friends house. Quite amazing, actually!

But when used to recover from a catastrophic HD crash, it's quite a tool.

:cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8.1/Pro/64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer X-1200
    CPU
    AMD 2 Core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    Crucial, 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDEA GeForce 9200
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Acer
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk, SSD 500GB
    PSU
    Acer
    Case
    SFF Slimline
    Keyboard
    emachines 101 key
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    5 Meg
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Using Classic Shell on Win-8.1 /pro/64
download showkeyplus and run from within windows - it will pull the embedded key and show version
or you can select Check Key - type in your product key and get versin info
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
KYHI, kingrollo said in 1st post:

I have a win 8 Dell Vostro 2520 - The hard drive has crashed - so Ive ordered a new one. I have a win 8.1 home premuim DVD - but have used the license key on another install.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Just an update of sorts !
I installed win 7 - then installed RWeverything - which gives me access to a product key. Tried installing 8.1 & 8.1 PRO - didn't like the product key.
Re installed win 7 - but it would now seem I either have purchased a faulty hard drive - or there is something else wrong with the laptop - it doesn't boot to win 7.
The original problem was that win 8 was stuck in 'preparing automatic repair' - and occasionally got 'no internal hard drive found'
Ive tried all the fixes for 'Preparing automatic repair looping' - none of them work.... close to giving up on this one......unless you know different...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
RWeverything will give you your key but won't tell you what OS its for. The new COA stickers on OEM PC's suck big time. A Windows 8 logo doesn't tell you very much other than its some version of Windows 8 or 8.1. About all it tells you is its Pro or not Pro. If you want to give 8.1 one more try. Try the Single Language version from here, Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help. Do the advanced, and delete all partitions. Windows will create all the needed ones automatically during the install.
 

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
Here is the problem using older setup media - the 8.1 Media DVD will not read 8 keys..

Download and create NEW Windows 8.1 media > Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

Using showkeyplus will read the internal key (if present) and tell you the windows version the key is for

Example: "Dell Windows 8.1 Recovery Media" will NOT read the product key on a Dell Windows 8 PC

Got to use the New Media to be bi-directional
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
OK - its asking for key ! - with the 8.1 OEM version that I purchased or the 8.1 pro ISO that I downloaded ? - any ideas - ? pretty desparate now !
you can only install with the key that your own so the answer is Core you can use a generic key to install Pro but you will not be able to activate it. Unless you buy a pro key
 

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
Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help < This install media will read and use Windows 8.0 and 8.1 keys, even OEM embedded keys. I've verified it myself. My laptop came with Windows 8.0 (Core). If I install Windows 8.1 (Core) from that download it uses my laptops embedded key and activates online automatically. On this page it just says Windows 8.1, that is the Core edition.
 

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
When you run MediaCreationTool you will see this window.

8.1Core.jpg

Core is the one that says Windows 8.1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
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