How to do a clean install over a preinstalled W8

[kmint]

It worked on the phone, thanks a lot.

I'll leave the clean install attempt for tomorrow, let's see what happens.

THANKS!

 

[kmint]

Ok, so I tried to do a clean install again and same message:

"The specified product key doesn't match any of the Windows images available for the installation. Insert a different product key."

I called Microsoft and they say I can't do a clean install at all because I just purchased an upgrade, not a whole Windows, and it must always be over the OEM and die with it.

Now, this is understandable since I paid only 30€ for the upgrade, but am I then forced to keep the Asus partitions and software forever? The Microsoft lady also insisted that a clean install would kill the Asus warranty if I delete their recovery partitions.

And also, reset and refresh don't work, so what am I am suppoused to do if I want to do so? I called Asus and they don't offer a solution, they just charge a fortune per minute for saying nothing.

 

[alphanumeric]

One option is to contact ASUS and see if they will send you recovery media. I did all my correspondence with them though e-mail. It took a while but it didn't cost me anything to do it that way. Their tech support was terrible. My questions were to do with creating the recovery disk set. I did ask about obtaining recovery media at one point but never got a reply to that question.
Another option is to obtain just an ISO for a regular Windows 8 DVD with no product code. Then use that and your embedded key to do a clean install of 8. Then use the 8 Pro upgrade key to add features. That's what I did with my new SSD drive.
If you are of the opinion that option two violates the EULA and is illegal, option three is to buy a full version and use that to do the clean install.
My recovery partition is long gone. If I had to return my Laptop for service I'd just put the original drive back in and do a clean install or 8 Core. ASUS can easily image the drive back to its factory state if need be so I'm not concerned about the missing factory partitions.

 

[kmint]

@alphanumeric

Good idea about the e-mail, at least I will spare money and tranquillizers. However, I already did that and their answer was the same bullsh*t as usual and took two days waiting.

I'll take a break by now. Everything is working fine and this dealing with the companies in today's world is absolutely stressful and bad for health. But I will come back into it.

Thanks a lot.

 

[alphanumeric]

I was totally unimpressed with ASUS's tech support. Doing it via e-mail was free but took forever. I'd ask a question and get an answer, if you can call it that, the next day. Ask another question and wait another day for an answer. Wash, rinse, repeat. They never did answer my questions adequately.
My thread is here, http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/21897-new-asus-laptop-has-no-recovery-disk-utlity.html

 

[kmint]

I was totally unimpressed with ASUS's tech support. Doing it via e-mail was free but took forever. I'd ask a question and get an answer, if you can call it that, the next day. Ask another question and wait another day for an answer. Wash, rinse, repeat. They never did answer my questions adequately.
My thread is here, http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/21897-new-asus-laptop-has-no-recovery-disk-utlity.html

Lol. Milleniums of civilization advances to reach this return to neolithic age in the globalization and multinational companies era, treating customers and employees like crap. Life was better 20 years back. When we were still human.

 

[pparks1]

Ok, so I tried to do a clean install again and same message:

"The specified product key doesn't match any of the Windows images available for the installation. Insert a different product key."

I called Microsoft and they say I can't do a clean install at all because I just purchased an upgrade, not a whole Windows, and it must always be over the OEM and die with it.

Now, this is understandable since I paid only 30€ for the upgrade, but am I then forced to keep the Asus partitions and software forever? The Microsoft lady also insisted that a clean install would kill the Asus warranty if I delete their recovery partitions.

And also, reset and refresh don't work, so what am I am suppoused to do if I want to do so? I called Asus and they don't offer a solution, they just charge a fortune per minute for saying nothing.

A clean install with upgrade media will not work because your bios key is for standard and your upgrade is for pro.

You either need to keep the Asus recovery partition to get back to what the system came with, or get a standard install disc which will work with your Asus. If you can find somebody with TechNet or MSDN to send you a copy, you should be all set. Just the install media, not the key is all that you would need.

Our reinstall XP, Vista, or 7 as you can upgrade any of these versions too and end up with a pretty clean install. Then, take an image and never have to worry about going through these steps again.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Very well stated, kmint. :thumbup:

Although I do think one cannot run a business successfully totally from the heart. It's run by thought with gut feelings, for after all they say most of our mind is in our gut.

Ma and Pa business = Total service.

Small business = Some heart or empathy. One may get to talk to a "human" with perhaps somewhat of a "human" answer.

Corporations = None or no empathy. Employees are ordered to answer with standard corporate pat answers. "Thank you for contacting us, but.......blah ba blah".

Perhaps a prophetic statement circa 1975:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5jRewnxSBY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[alphanumeric]

These days even if you manage to get a physical being on the other end of the phone there is no guaranty that they will have any type of technical skill. A lot of the time its a flow chart with a "if the answer is yes" go here and ask this, "if the answer is no" go here and ask this. If the answer is "maybe" start over from the beginning.

 

[kmint]

A clean install with upgrade media will not work because your bios key is for standard and your upgrade is for pro.

You either need to keep the Asus recovery partition to get back to what the system came with, or get a standard install disc which will work with your Asus. If you can find somebody with TechNet or MSDN to send you a copy, you should be all set. Just the install media, not the key is all that you would need.

Our reinstall XP, Vista, or 7 as you can upgrade any of these versions too and end up with a pretty clean install. Then, take an image and never have to worry about going through these steps again.

You mean I can install for instance Windows 7 and then I will be able to install W8 Pro clean? I thought any installation of any OS will be blocked.

About the MSDN iso, is this one alright or could be dangerous? http://kat.ph/windows-8-aio-16-in-1-rtm-msdn-original-thumperdc-t6772569.html

Very well stated, kmint. :thumbup:

Although I do think one cannot run a business successfully totally from the heart. It's run by thought with gut feelings, for after all they say most of our mind is in our gut.

Ma and Pa business = Total service.

Small business = Some heart or empathy. One may get to talk to a "human" with perhaps somewhat of a "human" answer.

Corporations = None or no empathy. Employees are ordered to answer with standard corporate pat answers. "Thank you for contacting us, but.......blah ba blah".

Perhaps a prophetic statement circa 1975:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5jRewnxSBY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

These days even if you manage to get a physical being on the other end of the phone there is no guaranty that they will have any type of technical skill. A lot of the time its a flow chart with a "if the answer is yes" go here and ask this, "if the answer is no" go here and ask this. If the answer is "maybe" start over from the beginning.

Don't miss this one if you haven't seen it yet. It's so real.

Why I'd rather be punched in the testicles than call customer service - The Oatmeal

 

[alphanumeric]

@kmint That all in one, 16 in 1, is a modified ISO. The ISO's available from TechNet are referred to as "multi". They will install 8 or 8 Pro depending on what key ypu enter or what embedded key is found. The embedded key takes precedence over an entered key. If an embedded key is found you won't be asked to enter one and the version matching the embedded key is installed. As an example my laptop came with Windows 8 core. That's what gets installed if I use the TechNet ISO. I can then go to add features and upgrade to 8 Pro, which is what I did. I can then also upgrade to Media center after that, I did that too. Your upgrade install media won't use the embedded key because it is only upgrade media, and not the full retail media. It's likely rejecting the key on a clean install again because its upgrade media and is looking for a previously installed qualifying OS. If you can find a Retail ISO you should be able to do the clean install with the embedded key. The problem with that is there is no way to get it from Microsoft directly without a TechNet subscription. It's unfortunate but that's the way it is. If you know of somebody that has bought a full retail copy all you have to do is make a copy of their DVD and use that (with your embedded key). Or take a chance on downloading what is claimed to be an untouched TechNet ISO from bit torrent. That's a use at your own risk proposition. The MD5 hash codes are posted on TechNet and can be looked at without having a TechNet subscription. You just can't download anything without a subscription.

 

[kmint]

@alphanumeric Thanks a lot.

 

[alphanumeric]

No problem. The new way Windows 8 installs and activates is supposed to make it easier over the way Windows 7 did it. The kink in the whole thing is the actual physical install media. If you don't have it your stuck. If your hard drive is intact refresh and reset "should" work. If you do a hard drive swap not so much.

 

[kmint]

No problem. The new way Windows 8 installs and activates is supposed to make it easier over the way Windows 7 did it. The kink in the whole thing is the actual physical install media. If you don't have it your stuck. If your hard drive is intact refresh and reset "should" work. If you do a hard drive swap not so much.

I sent you a PM. Thanks.