Problems with Windows 8 install

Hey y'all this is my first time posting...mainly because I am by no means a computer expert and have not had any problems with Windows OS in the past; however, that has since changed. So I have a Lenovo laptop that I was originally running vista on it then I upgraded to windows 7 and then upgraded to windows 8. Everything had been working flawless for several months, but then my computer rashed and I was required to wipe my entire system. Because my windows 8 download was just an upgrade my system said that I was unable to install it. Therefore it was recommended to me that Is et up vista first then try windows 8. I reinstalled vista and tried to install 8 and when I entre in the product key it says windows does not recognize this key even though the Key is exactly what was on the confirmation email that I got. Do y'all have any ideas on how to remedy this problem. I tried searching the forum, but nothing came up. Thanks in advanced.

Hello WY2CA, and welcome to Eight Forums.

The tutorial below can help show you how to do a clean install with your Windows 8 upgrade without having to install a previous version of Windows first.
Be sure that you are using a Windows 8 product key number to activate with, and not a Window Media Center (WMC) pack key.

If you are, then you may need to activate Windows 8 by phone instead.


Hope this helps,
Shawn

Welcome to EightForums.

You can try a clean install:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13375-clean-install-windows-8-upgrade.html