new asus with 8.1, cannot reset to English, MS says TS

Bought a new ASUS core i7 here in China, the old DEll is just acting ... old. When I tried to change the system to English with a complete reset ( yes I followed instructions and last resort is complete reset) no English. I was told it is single language machine.... Chinese... I am a single language American.. English. any suggestions? other than reinstalling with a 120$ new OS? thanks IN advance
thom

If the OS that is installed is the Chinese version. Yes you cannot turn it into an English version. If you are with a company over there or teaching abroad. You should be able to get a discount on the proper OS.

You could go here, Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help, and download the Windows 8.1 Single Language, English US version. Then clean install and see if it uses your OEM embedded key. It will read it automatically, I just don't know if the SL keys are language specific. Create your recovery media first, and or make an image of your system before you try it, just in case it rejects your key. If it works you won't have to spend a penny, other than for a thumb drive or DVD.

i'll let you know if that works. thanks a mill!!. i've already had the the shop where I bought the asus put in win 7 with ( mostly ) English.

Nothing to lose if you've already wiped the factory install. As far as I know the keys are version specific but not language specific. So it should work.