Solved Laptop with encrypted key in UEFI BIOS - how to obtain ISO

baq99

New Member
Messages
6
Hi folks,

Clue is in the title. Have a toshiba laptop with the UEFI encrypted windows 8 key. The hard drive was broken as it was dropped. No sticker on the bottom as is now microsoft policy. Download of the windows install needs the windows key. Cant get it as it's encrypted. Found generic windows 8.1 keys which worked but it said it was the wrong key for those installs. Generic windows 8 keys don't work for the download. Going around in circles and not sure what to do. Any help would be amazing!

Thanks folks,

Ben
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Llano Black quad core 3.0GHz
Have you made the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

information   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html



I would recommend you making the OEM manufacturer's Recovery DVD's or USB drive.
How to make Toshiba Recovery disks.

Toshiba How-To: Create System Recovery Media DVDs on a Windows 8 Laptop - YouTube
Toshiba How-To: Understanding Windows 8 system recovery options - YouTube
Creating Recovery Media for Windows 8 - TOSHIBA FORUMS
or
You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the OEM manufacturer's website.
Toshiba Service Portal - Laptop Recovery Media Services - Toshiba
 

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
Nope, they didn't made a recovery disk. The point is the old hard drive is broken and gone along with the previous install of windows 8 so recovery would be pointless as I need a fresh install.

I need the windows install disk which you can download from the windows site to make a boot disk, which I can clean install a new version of windows with. Whilst I am doing that I need the installer to pick up on the encrypted key held in the bios.

My problem is I can't download the windows install file as I don't have the windows key (because it's helpfully encrypted). Even if I could, the helpful sticker (that contains no details) on the bottom of the laptop doesn't state what version used to be installed so it may end up being the wrong installer...

I have made some progress as Microsoft releases generic keys in order for us to be able to download the installers. The 8.1 keys seem to work but the windows 8 keys do not. I currently have the installer for a version of windows 8 pro (my PC version of windows using my key) and windows 8.1 pro (using a generic key from microsoft). Both of which load from dvd under UEFI boot.

The windows 8 pro install searches for the key and says it is the wrong installer or key depending on which way you look at it.
The windows 8.1 core install doesn't search, it instead asks for a key. I entered the generic key hoping I could somehow activate it afterwards with the built in key but no joy. It just installs a preliminary version of windows and asks you to activate it by buying another licence.

At my witts end here :/ Please help
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Llano Black quad core 3.0GHz
Nope, [DEL]they didn't [/DEL]made a recovery disk. The point is the old hard drive is broken and gone along with the previous install of windows 8 so recovery would be pointless as I need a fresh install.

Why did you not make the Toshiba Recovery disks?

You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the OEM manufacturer's website.
Toshiba Service Portal - Laptop Recovery Media Services - Toshiba

My problem is I can't download the windows install file as I don't have the windows key (because it's helpfully encrypted). Even if I could, the helpful sticker (that contains no details) on the bottom of the laptop doesn't state what version used to be installed so it may end up being the wrong installer...

You will need to buy the DVD & Product key.
 

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
"They" being the person that bought the laptop to me. When it came to me it had a broken hard drive and no working version of windows. I don't think asking why I didn't make recovery disks is all that helpful.

As mentioned twice, the recovery disks will not be of any assistance as the hard drive is kaput. It has no recoverable version of windows on it. I have a new blank hard drive with a laptop that needs windows.

I know one of my options is to get the person that bought me the laptop to buy another copy of windows but that is precisely why I am coming to this forum to ask for assistance. If I did that I wouldn't be posting on here, I'd be busy installing the new copy of windows onto the blank hard drive.

I do appreciate the help but please understand that advice like "you should have done this" or "just go and buy a new copy of windows" isn't helpful.

The situation is I have a laptop with a legal windows 8 licence.
I need to get an install disk from microsoft for windows 8 which recognises the encrypted licence key.
Is there any way to do this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Llano Black quad core 3.0GHz
I need to get an install disk from [DEL]microsoft[/DEL] for windows 8 which recognises the encrypted licence key.
Is there any way to do this?

YES, from TOSHIBA.
 

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
...Which they charge an extortionate charge for. In fact more than I paid for windows 8 upgrade when I upgraded my PC.

I'm going to keep experimenting with the current windows 8 .iso as I've found you can change the version you install with the ei.cfg file. I'll report back here if I have any success as others may not want to spend a fortune on recovery disks which could easily be downloaded.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Llano Black quad core 3.0GHz
If you have an official unmodified Windows 8 ISO it will read the embedded key automatically and install the matching version. The DVD is already multi edition and there is no need to mess around with the ei.cfg file. There shouldn't be an ei.cfg file. The 8.1 ISO download as per the other thread will not accept OEM keys. If you want 8.1 you'll likely have to do the store upgrade.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Yup discovered that. This new system is terrible. Could easily host the recovery disks online for people to download but they are holding them to ransom. (ok ok, I know you can make them but after the event that is by the by).

Why each OEM has to have their own windows install and set of keys is beyond me (apart from making another way to squeeze cash out of the end user). One install disk from Microsoft for all versions of Windows would be much more helpful.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Llano Black quad core 3.0GHz
The OEM install is customized to the hardware its installed on. The recovery disks just refresh the custom image which includes all the drivers and utilities needed for that PC to work. A clean install with a normal Windows DVD will often leave you with non functioning hardware. Then a hunt for drivers. For you or me that's likely not a big deal. For that average Joe with limited computer skills that ends up being an issue. The down side to the OEM recovery disks is they also reinstall the factory bloat ware.

The embedded keys are your lenience to use Windows. Making them unique on each PC is to combat piracy. Fake SLIC tables were the old way of cheating the OEM Activation. Every Dell had the same product code, now they don't and that embedded code can only be activated on the one PC. Its not printed on the COA sticker because official Windows 8 media will read it automatically. That was the intent anyway. Microsoft messed that feature up by coding Windows 8.1 so it will only accept an 8.1 code for the install. I don't understand why they did that if you can use a 8.0 code to activate 8.1? rejecting OEM 8.0 keys for the 8.1 ISO download doesn't make sense to me either? People with an OEM install are the ones that need the ISO the most.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Ok. Rant over. Here's what I found out which may be helpful to someone at some point.

You can download the windows 8.1 install with a windows 8 key. Just download both the installers, run the windows 8 download tool, put in your licence key and click through until the download starts. Cancel it at 1% and run the 8.1 downloader. It then carries on with the download of 8.1. Job done.

Once you have downloaded the installer for windows 8/8.1 you can make an .iso. This won't boot under UEFI. If you want to create a bootable UEFI DVD then you can use the program found in option 3 of this tutorial from this deliciously handy site:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html

If you want to install windows 8 or 8.1 and activate it later, microsoft publishes generic keys for just such a purpose. These keys do not activate windows, they just allow the installation to progress. Keys can be found here (and a few other forums):
Appendix A: KMS Client Setup Keys

If you have an embedded key in your bios and for some reason want to know what it is then you can find out. Install any version of windows you have lying around (I have a spare copy of windows 7 I don't use any more for just such an occasion) and then install this program:
RWEverything | Read & Write Everything
once installed run and click ACPI followed by MSDM on the lower tab and hazaah! There is the key under the "data" section in all its glory. Pointless. But there it is just in case you want to look at it.

If you manually enter this key into anything from Microsoft directly it will not work. It only works with the recovery media from your OEM. The recovery disk will always pick it up automatically meaning there is no real world use for it as you can't enter it into anywhere manually and have it work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Llano Black quad core 3.0GHz
Yup discovered that. This new system is terrible. Could easily host the recovery disks online for people to download but they are holding them to ransom. (ok ok, I know you can make them but after the event that is by the by).

Why each OEM has to have their own windows install and set of keys is beyond me (apart from making another way to squeeze cash out of the end user). One install disk from Microsoft for all versions of Windows would be much more helpful.

As the OEM manufacturer Windows licence is the cheapest version, basically, you get what you pay for.

Also high grade OEM manufacturers, supply Recovery disks in the box.
 

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
That download trick has already been posted
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html?filter

If you manually enter this key into anything from Microsoft directly it will not work. It only works with the recovery media from your OEM. The recovery disk will always pick it up automatically meaning there is no real world use for it as you can't enter it into anywhere manually and have it work.

Not exactly true, Windows 8.1 install media will reject it when your trying to do a clean install, but you can enter it manually after the install and activate with it. Also regular Retail Windows 8 install media will read and use the OEM embedded key automatically. That embedded OEM key will work for more than just the OEM recovery disks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
1) Download Windows 8.1 RTM ISO image.
2) Install Windows 8.1 RTM (use the "generic" Windows 8.1 key).
3) View key in MSDM table. Windows 8 Product Key Viewer
4) Activate Windows 8.1 with your Windows 8 "MSDM KEY".

Why would the key found in step 3 be any different from the one entered in step 2? You can't activate with the generic install keys?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
1) Download Windows 8.1 RTM ISO image.

There is NO legal download.
 

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
@ genet You do know that you have to be a member of that forum to actually download that utility from the link you posted? On top of that, that forum has a lot of content that deals with pirating Windows! A lot of people on this forum may be reluctant to sign up to that type of site just to get that utility.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2

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
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