Windows 8 Key and hard drive locked

kmarujo

New Member
Messages
2
I was surprised when Windows 10 was being uploaded last Thursday morning. I was still not sure about 10 and decided to stay with Windows 8 so I declined the upgrade. My Dell started to reload 8. I made a BIG mistake and shut the system down and found out that my unit is now not working. I did not download the Windows 8 disk when I got my Dell and it is out of warranty. I have a friend that works with Dell and he gave me a recovery disk. I can now boot up to the advance options mode. However it will not recover as I am getting either a hard disk lock and or a disk partition error. When I try to do a complete 8 reinstall from the disk it requires a key. My Dell did not have the key listed on the box as I have been told that it was loaded to the bios on the mother board. Dell support has been no help as they had me run a diagnosis and all checked out. They told me to run the reinstall from my recovery disk. When it asked for the key they said my hard drive must be replaced?

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
If you are using Dell Recovery Media on a Dell PC and it is asking you for a product Key
You have the wrong version of windows on that media...

Home/core requires Standard 8 media
Pro requires Pro 8 Media..
 

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
You should be able to clean install windows 8.1 and it should not ask you to enter a product key...
If windows 8.1 is asking for a product key - then you are trying to install the wrong edition of windows 8.1

OH WAIT...
You are using Dell Setup Media... Will Not work...

Download MS Setup Media > Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
 

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
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