Windows 8 Re-Installation on OEM Windows 8 Machine

JasonW

New Member
Messages
6
I have a Dell Vostro which came with Windows 8 installed as OEM with the activation key embedded in the BIOS.

The system had a catastrophic meltdown when I un-installed Samsung Kies application which was having conflicts with a Garmin Training centre.

The system wouldn't recover from the Recovery partition or rest or refresh so I contacted Dell for support as I have no W8 media to re-install or activate. In desperation I loaded the Windows 8 evaluation edition to keep me going.

Dell subsequently sent me a backup and recovery USB drive which re-installed or recovered Windows 8 however it partitioned the drives based upon a partition index in the USB Drive which now means I have no Recovery partition.

I have re-built the machine 3 times now and am getting quite fed up doing up however have it down to a fine art, my issue is that the Windows 8 will not activate and I keep getting the message to go to PC settings to activate windows however when I try online or via the phone line and entering the activation numbers it fails to activate.

Any pointers on how I can activate as Dell have been unable to provide me with any support to make any progress so I am in the situation where I have purchased Windows 8 but have no Product Key, I am not alone however there must be a means of extracting this from the BIOS.

I'm not that bothered about not having a Recovery partition I just need to activate Windows 8 and get my life back.

Thanks, Jason
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro
    Antivirus
    Norton
Welcome ro EightForums.

If the key is EMBEDDED in the BIOS, should activate within 4 hours of being on the net.

Dell subsequently sent me a backup and recovery USB drive which re-installed or recovered Windows 8 however it partitioned the drives based upon a partition index in the USB Drive which now means I have no Recovery partition.


Not heard of DELL sending out USB drive, DVD's yes.
 

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
No joy as I've done this multiple times over the last month and it never activates and I am connected to the Internet.

Dell sent me a 'Dell OS Recovery and Restore USB Key' for Windows 8 Professional 64 Bit, as that didn't work they then sent me another one and that didn't work either. Reloads beautifully but never activates.

I'm at the point which goes against my best principles that I might just buy Windows 8 again to get the activation product key. It will actually save me money in time wasted re-building in the vain hope it will work and activate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro
    Antivirus
    Norton
If it is an activation issue , try the free MS phone number.

They are keen to have people using 8, so am sure they will be useful.

Hang on and don't enter anything - that forces an operator to answer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hi,

Thanks, I tried that and the Product key is accepted but then has an error showing 'Does not activate the version of Windows I have installed'.

In the System settings it is showing Windows 8 64 Bit however the USB Re-installation drives I have been sent are for Windows 8 Professional which is what I purchased. Seems strange however it may be just the way they are showing the Product.

Thanks, Jason
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro
    Antivirus
    Norton
Just on a previous response, I tried the phone activation and when you get through and select Windows 8 you get advised to consult your MSDN technical contact of Volume License centre.

If you go through the pain of entering the numbers and the responses, when you get to the end it implies you have activated Windows and then comes back with an error and then you get the same message. Effectively, Windows 8, sorry pal, on your own.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro
    Antivirus
    Norton
It comes back with Windows 8 .....

Maybe that is my issue. I despair.

I'm thinking now it is super confused, as it had Windows 8 Professional, I then had Windows 8 evaluation edition and then replaced with what I believe to be Windows 8 Professional.

But it is showing Windows 8, chuffing confusing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro
    Antivirus
    Norton
You need to install Windows 8 Pro then.

Looks like dell sent you something weird.

It is possible install.wim in the sources folder of usb stick contains both editions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Have a look at install.wim with 7-zip and see if there are 2 images in there.

Even if there are, it will be fiddly applying the Pro image from some kind of boot media.

I have heard there may be 8 pro isos floating around with a few seconds googling.

If you had the msdn/technet iso it would be fine.


see here
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I've checked the Dell USB Recovery USB Keys and the 2 they have supplied after much hassle have different part numbers on the packet but are labelled the same so something is amiss.

I feel lucky tonight, thanks for your help.

PC Re-build Number 467,
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro
    Antivirus
    Norton
Didn't both the dell supplied usb installers fail to activate?

I was under the impression you had tried more than one - or I could be mixing it up with another thread.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Back
Top