Solved DEactivation?

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Migotop

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I ended up with a crippling infection on one of my two laptops. I Dban ed it and reinstalled from scratch, but it wouldn't accept the product key that came with the laptop (pre-install), so I entered the key that came with the disk which I bought (Win 8.1 home). I bought the disk for the purpose of reinstalls, and the key I used pre-install is the key being used by my other laptop. When I tried to switch keys on my other laptop, it said that key was being used by another computer. Do I have to de-activate the key or something? I have two legit keys and two laptops, how do I make this work?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    Browser
    firefox
    Antivirus
    avast
Don't use the same product key on two different computers.

Windows 8 and windows 8.1 are two different operating systems which require DIFFERENT keys. An 8 key will not work with 8.1. I would guess that the key that came with the laptop was a windows 8 key only.

This means you will need the 8.1 key that DIDN'T originally come with the laptop. It may be that Windows allows you to enter the old 8 key on the 8 operating system before you upgrade to 8.1, but I am not sure about this.

Other members may have more knowledge on key use, so hopefully someone will pop in here to give you a hand.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3820 CPU OC @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G1.Assassin2
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 16GB Quad Channel DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia by EVGA - GeForce GTX 670 4GB
    Sound Card
    On board Creative SB X-Fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    acer 24" H243H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Main 500GB Hybrid Drive @ 7,200RPM
    Secondary OCZ SSD Vertex 3 Max IOPS
    PSU
    Silent Pro 1000w gold 80+
    Case
    Azza Hurrican 2000
    Cooling
    Liquid CPU cooler & fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Tek Republic Wired Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    5ms Ping 5.15Mb/s Download .64Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
Mark Phelps said:
An 8 key will not work with 8.1.
Click to expand...

I recently did a clean install of Win8.1 64-bit on a new drive -- and installed, and activated it, using the key that came with the original Win8 DVD.
Click to expand...

That is interesting! It used to be you couldn't, but I just found someone else that said you could too:

Windows 8.1 is a free upgrade to all Windows 8 users, but you normally can’t install Windows 8.1 with a Windows 8 product key [...] Update! Microsoft Makes it Easier [...]
Click to expand...
SOURCE
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3820 CPU OC @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G1.Assassin2
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 16GB Quad Channel DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia by EVGA - GeForce GTX 670 4GB
    Sound Card
    On board Creative SB X-Fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    acer 24" H243H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Main 500GB Hybrid Drive @ 7,200RPM
    Secondary OCZ SSD Vertex 3 Max IOPS
    PSU
    Silent Pro 1000w gold 80+
    Case
    Azza Hurrican 2000
    Cooling
    Liquid CPU cooler & fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Tek Republic Wired Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    5ms Ping 5.15Mb/s Download .64Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
yes, since about aug 2014
 

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
An OEM embedded key being refused on install usually means your using the wrong install media. Example, installing Pro when the OEM key is for Core, or vise versa. Another gotcha is if the OEM version is Single Language. If you try to install the normal Core version it will reject the Core Single Language OEM key. I can confirm that the current Windows 8.1 install media will install with and activate with, Windows 8.0 keys, even OEM embedded keys.
 

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
alphanumeric said:
An OEM embedded key being refused on install usually means your using the wrong install media. Example, installing Pro when the OEM key is for Core, or vise versa. Another gotcha is if the OEM version is Single Language. If you try to install the normal Core version it will reject the Core Single Language OEM key. I can confirm that the current Windows 8.1 install media will install with and activate with, Windows 8.0 keys, even OEM embedded keys.
Click to expand...

So, I got it to work by calling it in. I just had a brain fart. I'm actually down a key, as both laptops (purchased new) came with windows, and I bought 8.1 home version to have the install media. The original key was lost when I had a crash, and I paid for the disk because it was the least headache at the time and I knew I would reinstall my other machine at some point as well. Appreciate the help everyone! Next time I'll try to be smarter.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    Browser
    firefox
    Antivirus
    avast
Migotop said:
alphanumeric said:
An OEM embedded key being refused on install usually means your using the wrong install media. Example, installing Pro when the OEM key is for Core, or vise versa. Another gotcha is if the OEM version is Single Language. If you try to install the normal Core version it will reject the Core Single Language OEM key. I can confirm that the current Windows 8.1 install media will install with and activate with, Windows 8.0 keys, even OEM embedded keys.
Click to expand...

So, I got it to work by calling it in. I just had a brain fart. I'm actually down a key, as both laptops (purchased new) came with windows, and I bought 8.1 home version to have the install media. The original key was lost when I had a crash, and I paid for the disk because it was the least headache at the time and I knew I would reinstall my other machine at some point as well. Appreciate the help everyone! Next time I'll try to be smarter.
Click to expand...

You can get install media here if your interested, Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
 

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
alphanumeric said:
Migotop said:
alphanumeric said:
An OEM embedded key being refused on install usually means your using the wrong install media. Example, installing Pro when the OEM key is for Core, or vise versa. Another gotcha is if the OEM version is Single Language. If you try to install the normal Core version it will reject the Core Single Language OEM key. I can confirm that the current Windows 8.1 install media will install with and activate with, Windows 8.0 keys, even OEM embedded keys.
Click to expand...

So, I got it to work by calling it in. I just had a brain fart. I'm actually down a key, as both laptops (purchased new) came with windows, and I bought 8.1 home version to have the install media. The original key was lost when I had a crash, and I paid for the disk because it was the least headache at the time and I knew I would reinstall my other machine at some point as well. Appreciate the help everyone! Next time I'll try to be smarter.
Click to expand...

You can get install media here if your interested, Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
Click to expand...

Too late for me, but I'm bookmarking it so I can pass it on when someone needs it :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    Browser
    firefox
    Antivirus
    avast
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