"Windows 8 Installation has Failed" - Since Jan. 20th...

[norepli]

Both see my post 14 above.

Since I purchased the Win 8 Pro Upgrade online from Microsoft on Jan 20th, Ive been trying to get in to install.

OK znod. If that works, then anybody with an upgrade disk can essentially bypass the Windows 8 upgrade requirements and doesn't that procedure essentially violate the Microsoft Windows 8 Upgrade agreement as well? Also, I don't see the word "upgrade" mentioned anywhere in Brink's tutorial that you referenced as part of your procedure. Ok, let's see what happens... but if he wipes the hard drive clean first, and it doesn't work, then he's going to be SOL...

Cheers!

 

[jonnboy1976]

ok thanks! I'll let you know what happens.....

 

[MrShowdown]

On your question, yes, I think you are right about the "primo" clean installation of the Pro Pack. But, while undoubtedly acceptable to him, he probably would have to use the refresh procedure to activate.

Hi znod,

I'm sure you know much more about the clean install process than I; however, FYI, When I did my Win 8 Pro upgrade from XPSP3, the key was recognized and the installation was activated. Now, when I went to do a clean install of Win 8 Pro (after having upgraded successfully), I took the full format route, and the key was still recognized and the installation was (again) activated, without the need for a refresh (or any additional actions). So, I guess my question is "Was I just lucky?"

Thanks,

norepli

You can reinstall (clean) windows IF you format your old Windows from the Windows Setup Experience itself, not PRIOR to the install.

 

[jonnboy1976]

Showdown, Can you please explain exactly what you mean and how/when to format?

 

[DavidY]

Showdown, Can you please explain exactly what you mean and how/when to format?

Have a look at this tutorial.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html
I think Mr Showdown means you should start the tutorial with Windows 7 installed and using a bootable DVD/USB of the Windows 8 Upgrade.

Then from Step 6, if you follow the steps described you can completely remove the whole Windows 7 partitions, so the disk still ends up formatted before it puts Windows 8 on, but it's all done from within Windows Setup.

 

[norepli]

Have a look at this tutorial.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

Hey Johnnyboy1976! This is the fourth time someone has tried to get you to go to this tutorial. Please stop asking the same questions (over and over) and please start reading. That tutorial is self-explanatory...

 

[znod]

On your question, yes, I think you are right about the "primo" clean installation of the Pro Pack. But, while undoubtedly acceptable to him, he probably would have to use the refresh procedure to activate.

Hi znod,

I'm sure you know much more about the clean install process than I; however, FYI, When I did my Win 8 Pro upgrade from XPSP3, the key was recognized and the installation was activated. Now, when I went to do a clean install of Win 8 Pro (after having upgraded successfully), I took the full format route, and the key was still recognized and the installation was (again) activated, without the need for a refresh (or any additional actions). So, I guess my question is "Was I just lucky?"

Thanks,

norepli

You can reinstall (clean) windows IF you format your old Windows from the Windows Setup Experience itself, not PRIOR to the install.

Not true. See what my post 14 says I did.

 

[znod]

Both see my post 14 above.

Since I purchased the Win 8 Pro Upgrade online from Microsoft on Jan 20th, Ive been trying to get in to install.

OK znod. If that works, then anybody with an upgrade disk can essentially bypass the Windows 8 upgrade requirements and doesn't that procedure essentially violate the Microsoft Windows 8 Upgrade agreement as well? Also, I don't see the word "upgrade" mentioned anywhere in Brink's tutorial that you referenced as part of your procedure. Ok, let's see what happens... but if he wipes the hard drive clean first, and it doesn't work, then he's going to be SOL...

Cheers!

Your obligation only is to forfeit a license from a qualifying MS OS. I can only say look at the procedure I used in post 14. This procedure only has value in the context of jonnboy1976 if he wants to try something new in getting his installation to succeed.

Note that all installation media are upgrade media except for MS system builder full-install software and full-install software available through, for example, Technet. I am ignoring OEM install media at this point these media are recovery media.

And, yes, anyone can bypass the Win8 upgrade requirements (i.e., forfeiting a license from a qualifying MS OS) quite easily. MS does not actually have controls in place to prevent such actions. The only time any significant check is made, other than requiring a valid product key, is when using the migration-assistant procedure. Here the only checks are of "bitness" and to ensure that the proper version os Win8 is obtained given the computer being used. In this regard, one can use any Windows computer to do the ISO download unless the migration assistant determines that no version of Win8 should be installed on the downloading computer, and the ISO can be used to install on a different computer.

 

[DavidY]

I think you are right in essentially what you say for a variety of reasons. I think OEM preinstalls suck. A problem is that OEM's don't make it easy for one to reinstall cleanly (i.e., a clean install disc typically is not provided--one has to buy a second license). But, personally, if I bought an OEM PC, then the first thing I would do is buy MS system builder software (using the personal-use license option) and obliterate my OEM's installation. I'd just factor the cost of the software that would render me out from under my OEM's thumb into the cost of the computer.

I'm not sure why this talk of OEMs is relevant?

My understanding is that jonnboy1976 isn't using a PC with which originally came with Windows 8 pre-installed by the OEM, but instead is trying to upgrade from Windows 7 Ultimate:

Since I purchased the Win 8 Pro Upgrade online from Microsoft on Jan 20th, Ive been trying to get in to install. I have Windows 7 Ultimate on a HP laptop.

The main reason to install Windows 7 would be if (as norepli says) the Windows 7 installation was corrupted due to several attempts to upgrade to Windows 8, and to use Windows 7 as a starting point.

 

[znod]

I think you are right in essentially what you say for a variety of reasons. I think OEM preinstalls suck. A problem is that OEM's don't make it easy for one to reinstall cleanly (i.e., a clean install disc typically is not provided--one has to buy a second license). But, personally, if I bought an OEM PC, then the first thing I would do is buy MS system builder software (using the personal-use license option) and obliterate my OEM's installation. I'd just factor the cost of the software that would render me out from under my OEM's thumb into the cost of the computer.

I'm not sure why this talk of OEMs is relevant?

My understanding is that jonnboy1976 isn't using a PC with which originally came with Windows 8 pre-installed by the OEM, but instead is trying to upgrade from Windows 7 Ultimate:

Since I purchased the Win 8 Pro Upgrade online from Microsoft on Jan 20th, Ive been trying to get in to install. I have Windows 7 Ultimate on a HP laptop.

The main reason to install Windows 7 would be if (as norepli says) the Windows 7 installation was corrupted due to several attempts to upgrade to Windows 8, and to use Windows 7 as a starting point.

My OEM comment was off topic. I agree his pc does not have an OEM preinstall. Correct, he is upgrading as you say. The rest of what you say does not pertain to me.

 

[jonnboy1976]

Finally!! I just got and installed Windows 8 Pro RTM over the release preview 8 I had installed last week over my Windows 7 Ultimate. Thanks you guys for all your suggestions, advice and help. This forum is better than all the Microsoft ones I've been trying to get help from since Jan 20th!

 

[norepli]

Since I purchased the Win 8 Pro Upgrade online from Microsoft on Jan 20th, Ive been trying to get in to install.

The problem you reported initially does not match your reported solution.

Finally!! I just got and installed Windows 8 Pro RTM over the release preview 8 I had installed last week over my Windows 7 Ultimate.

 

[znod]

Finally!! I just got and installed Windows 8 Pro RTM over the release preview 8 I had installed last week over my Windows 7 Ultimate. Thanks you guys for all your suggestions, advice and help. This forum is better than all the Microsoft ones I've been trying to get help from since Jan 20th!

Glad you are up and running. And, you are welcome.

So, what was the key to getting installed? What did you do differently than in earlier attempts?

 

[jonnboy1976]

I got the RTM version of Windows 8 Pro. Microsoft let me use the product key I got when I bought the Pro upgrade over a month ago. It installed without a hitch the first try.