Windows 8 moves to BIOS-based product keys....

dutchglory

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Windows 8 moves to BIOS-based product keys
Product keys for Windows 8 computers aren't printed on a sticker.
They're encrypted in the BIOS. How might that affect you?

My question: is this possible..?? Can a OS write to BIOS..?? :confused:
If it true you can NEVER switch to a other OS..!!! You need to buy a new PC... :mad:


Source: Windows 8 moves to BIOS-based product keys | Windows 8 - CNET Reviews
 

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    ASUSTeK Computer INC.
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    ASUS P8Z68-V-LX
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very unlikely i think...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 pro NL
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK Computer INC.
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz, running at: 3401 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z68-V-LX
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1TB
The article says that the product key will be placed in the BIOS of a NEW OEM system. Since most OEM builders already replace the existing BIOS for a 'home brew' version it is easy for them to add a MS key to it.

It says nowhere that MS will write the key to the BIOS when installing Windows on say a 'self assembled' computer. In the latter case you will still have to typ in the key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
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    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
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    1920x1080
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    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
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    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
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    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
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    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
Ah... so only if you buy a new pc with windows 8 installed on it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 pro NL
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK Computer INC.
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz, running at: 3401 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z68-V-LX
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1TB
Ah... so only if you buy a new pc with windows 8 installed on it.

You've got it right there!

And in that case it's not that bad. Actually, it's rather great I think. It's like using the backup DVD which is also pre-actived :).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
But you can never go back to windows 7 Or other os. MS getting to much power with this... :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 pro NL
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK Computer INC.
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz, running at: 3401 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z68-V-LX
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1TB
But you can never go back to windows 7 Or other os. MS getting to much power with this... :(

I don't think so. There is a Dutch saying that really describes this ==> "De soep wordt niet zo heet gegeten als ze wordt opgediend."

I will translate it for the non Dutch people ==> "The soup isn't being eaten as hot as it is served." In this case meaning that it will not be as extreme as it is being brought here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
But you can never go back to windows 7 Or other os. MS getting to much power with this... :(

Welcome to EighForums.

Why can you not install Windows 7?
or Linux?
 

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    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
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    Towers x 4
If license key is branded within BIOS, it could say "This is a Windows 8 PC, you can not install ... Please install windows 8.." not sure if that happens of cource...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 pro NL
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK Computer INC.
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz, running at: 3401 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z68-V-LX
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1TB
It is all about doing your homework.



My OEM test rig,Windows 8 specs:




OEM said:
OS Provided Windows 8 Pro 64-bit Edition Microsoft Office Preloaded Includes a pre-loaded image of select Microsoft Office 2010 suites. Purchase an Office 2010 Product Key Card or disc to activate preloaded software on this PC. Software Drivers & Utilities, Nero Essentials S, Microsoft Office 2010 Starter, Norton Internet Security (60 days trial), Fujitsu Recovery, Windows 7 / Windows 8 Pro Twin-Pack recovery DVD



OEM said:
Compatible operating systems

Microsoft Windows 8, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, Windows 7 Professional 32-bit, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Windows 7 Home Basic (EM) 32-bit,\r\nWindows Vista, Windows XP, \r\nopenSUSE Linux


Disk 0 = Windows 8
Disk1 = Windows 7
Disk2 = Ubuntu (Linux)

8-7-Linux-001.PNG

To Downgrade to Windows 7.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html
Warning you must have the uEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.
 

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System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I have a new Dell XPS 12 that came with Windows 8 Pro, I blew that away and installed Windows 8 Enterprise with a totally different key and had no issues.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8 RP
I have a new Dell XPS 12 that came with Windows 8 Pro, I blew that away and installed Windows 8 Enterprise with a totally different key and had no issues.

Hi there
as above - I installed W8 Enterprise -- no issues at all with Bios keys -- and I even installed the W7 "Classic Games" like spider solitaire etc -- don't like the versions in the store. To do this there's a tutorial in the Forum.

Also created a Windows to Go -- no activation / keys problem either.

The only disadvantage by not using W8 PRO instead of Windows Enterprise as far as I can see is that WMC won't install on it - but I never liked it anyway -- for media playing I use VLC and Winamp and I have my own server for video streaming to my TV.

(Windows enterprise can be downloaded from TechNet -- subscription required at PRO level or a trial version from Ms).

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
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    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I've got a question pertaining to this. I'm working on a laptop with Windows 8 Core edition that has pooped the bed so to speak. It'd be MUCH easier to do a clean install free of devilware and whatnot and just start fresh. There is a recovery partition, but doesn't run the Reset or Refresh at all.

Now, if I obtain a copy of Windows 8 Core edition that is 64 bit of course, do a clean install on the hard drive, will the BIOS key that is embedded into the motherboard work fine with the new install?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I've got a question pertaining to this. I'm working on a laptop with Windows 8 Core edition that has pooped the bed so to speak. It'd be MUCH easier to do a clean install free of devilware and whatnot and just start fresh. There is a recovery partition, but doesn't run the Reset or Refresh at all.

Now, if I obtain a copy of Windows 8 Core edition that is 64 bit of course, do a clean install on the hard drive, will the BIOS key that is embedded into the motherboard work fine with the new install?

When you do the clean install, the installer will see the BIOS key & install with that key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Then a hypothetical situation. Say if a laptop has Windows 8 Core and I use an .iso of Windows 8 Pro. Will that just install Windows 8 Core and later say you need to buy those Pro features in Windows, or will it say that your PC has Windows 8 Core installed, you will need to use Windows 8 Core, or something like that?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Windows 8 Pro would install Windows 8 Core.
You can not upgrade to Pro using the Pro upgrade key, you would upgrade to Pro Pack or full Retail/OEM Pro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
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