8.1 preview has expired

philnolan3d

Member
Member
Messages
57
Location
Phillyk, PA
I was never given the option to upgrade to 8.1 official from the preview. Now the preview has just told me it expired and will reboot itself every couple hours. I'm in the middle of a huge project right now. Does anyone have any ideas? I was actually planning to buy a new computer in the next week or so but I was hoping to gradually move things over to it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 470
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Win8 Pro x64, Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz, , 8GB RAM
    PSU
    Antec
    Cooling
    4 80mm fans

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Yeah the popup gives me the option to upgrade (finally) but it's not an ideal time to trash all of my programs and reinstall them. Do you have any idea what happens to program settings? Do they get deleted when Windows uninstalls the programs?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 470
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Win8 Pro x64, Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz, , 8GB RAM
    PSU
    Antec
    Cooling
    4 80mm fans
When I upgraded from 8 Pro wmc to 8.1 Pro wmc from the Store all my settings & files & programs were left intact.

That is my experience.

Backing your stuff up to a usb might work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
I had to update about 7 drivers though.

It was easy because I use DriverMax.(The Pro version)

DriverMax
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
I don't mind updating drivers, that's no big deal. You had no problem with programs because you went from 8 to 8.1. I'm going from 8.1 preview to 8.1 full. When I installed the preview MS said "you will need to reinstall your apps when the final version is released.", but what they actually meant was programs. I was pissed when I found out about that after the fact.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 470
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Win8 Pro x64, Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz, , 8GB RAM
    PSU
    Antec
    Cooling
    4 80mm fans

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 470
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Win8 Pro x64, Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz, , 8GB RAM
    PSU
    Antec
    Cooling
    4 80mm fans
I have a query. For my interest only.
It is not clear from either of the links but, do I understand that you can, or could, update the 8.1 Preview to a full, licensed, Windows 8.1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
Yes, assuming you own a full copy of Win8, you can (could have) installed the 8.1 preview, then update that to the full 8.1. This is what I'm doing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 470
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Win8 Pro x64, Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz, , 8GB RAM
    PSU
    Antec
    Cooling
    4 80mm fans
There are workarounds to allow upgrade, but a product key is needed at some stage.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Ok. Thanks S!W2. That is what I assumed. Didn't quite understand Philnolans's post, as it seemed to imply the opposite.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
Hi everyone, my windows 8.1 preview build 9431 has also expired last night leaving me well and truly up sh*t creek without a paddle, I can't reinstall my OS at the moment without a completely unacceptable level of downtime. Now okay I know, its ridiculous to run the beta OS on a mission critical machine but I was real unhappy with 8.0 standard and I did expect to be given some warning when the beta license would expire as with Vista/Win 7 - apparently I should of had a warning message over the past few weeks but for whatever reason I have not .. :(

So my question is, is it possible to work around the automatic restart somehow ? I apologise if this is not allowed to be asked though I suspect that is really what the OP and many other people finding this thread really want to know, so if anybody has any information on this I would be most grateful.

Many thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Preview 9431
YES, you can upgrade using the Windows 8.1 DVD, if you have a Product Key.
 
Last edited:

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
Hi everyone, my windows 8.1 preview build 9431 has also expired last night leaving me well and truly up sh*t creek without a paddle, I can't reinstall my OS at the moment without a completely unacceptable level of downtime. Now okay I know, its ridiculous to run the beta OS on a mission critical machine but I was real unhappy with 8.0 standard and I did expect to be given some warning when the beta license would expire as with Vista/Win 7 - apparently I should of had a warning message over the past few weeks but for whatever reason I have not .. :(

So my question is, is it possible to work around the automatic restart somehow ? I apologise if this is not allowed to be asked though I suspect that is really what the OP and many other people finding this thread really want to know, so if anybody has any information on this I would be most grateful.

Many thanks!

I am in the same boat see my post with the link a few posts ago, it explains how to do the upgrade without losing programs. And yes I totally agree,there should have been some warning.

Now I've followed the tutorial in the link, but my computer doesn't seem to be booting from the USB, even though I set USB FDD as the "boot first" item in the BIOS. I question if it would work the same if I just took the files on the USB and burned them to a DVD.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 470
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Win8 Pro x64, Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz, , 8GB RAM
    PSU
    Antec
    Cooling
    4 80mm fans
No, you need to use a special program to create a bootable dvd.

You would need that one that creates an .iso containing efi boot info ( might as well put both and bios and efi boot info on it ). Then burn the iso to dvd.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
If you already have an .iso then you don't need to create one from scratch. But if you want to fiddle with it , you will need an iso handler. Gburner is fully functional trail for 30 days.

You can open the iso, edit the file, then save it again. Then you can burn your newly edited iso to dvd.

Download gBurner
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I actually made the ISO from the Win 8.1 installer, then looked at it in Power ISO, which I've had for a long time. I discovered the files are exactly the same as the USB version so I extracted the .INI file from the instructions. Made the simple change, and put it back into the ISO. I'm now burning the ISO so we'll see if it works.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 470
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Win8 Pro x64, Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz, , 8GB RAM
    PSU
    Antec
    Cooling
    4 80mm fans
OK new problem. My DVD drive is acting up so I can't boot from the disc. I was able to get it to see the USB at boot time but it says "invalid partition table". Now this USB was made with the Win 8.1 setup that said "Install by creating media > USB flash drive". I would assume this creates a bootable drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 470
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Win8 Pro x64, Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz, , 8GB RAM
    PSU
    Antec
    Cooling
    4 80mm fans
Alright. I borrowed a DVD drive from a friend and this installer finally loads up. Two questions: First, the installer says "Windows 8", is that normal? The ISO was created by the "WindowsSetupBox.exe" which was from Microsoft and says "Windows 8.1" in it.

Second, The the key it gave me when it created the ISO (same as my Windows 8 key) doesn't work. I have read a few places that the Win8 key doesn't work. There's an Eight Forums tutorial here:
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/34102-how-download-windows-8-1-clean-install.html

But it seems to be talking about clean installs, when I want to upgrade. I came across another site that had similar instructions but said nothing about clean installing. Both sites gave generic keys to use. The ones in the Eight Forums tutorial are different from the ones here:
Appendix A: KMS Client Setup Keys

I'm not sure which to use. I just have regular Windows 8 Pro with Media Center.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 470
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Win8 Pro x64, Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz, , 8GB RAM
    PSU
    Antec
    Cooling
    4 80mm fans
Back
Top