Laptop MOBO failed, transfer W8.1 to new computer?

AlexBogues

New Member
Messages
6
Hello everyone!

My name is Alex Boguszewski. I bought a laptop, specifically the Samsung QX410-J01. The Laptop came pre-installed with Windows 7, and I upgraded to Windows 8 on 10/26/2012. I bought the Windows 8 Pro product key, downloaded, and upgraded to Windows 8.

Just last week my laptops Motherboard failed and my computer would no longer start up. The HDD works just fine though so all my files are safe. I decided I wanted to build my own PC and I am simply waiting on my case to arrive.

My question is I want to use Windows 8 on my new PC. The problem I am facing is I do not know how I am going to install Windows on my new machine. I do not want to purchase a new install disk and license since I have already paid for the OS. I can only think of two options and I am not sure if either of them are right.

1. Plug in my laptops hard drive into the new desktop. Run Windows 8.1 on that and use the new Terabyte hard drive I bought as a second hard drive.

2. Somehow put Windows 8.1 on a flash drive and install it from the flash drive onto the new blank hard drive. Then use the product key that I had purchased to activate the OS onto the new hard drive!

I really do not want to have to purchase Windows again, but if I must I guess I will. I believe there has to be a way I doubt after being a loyal Microsoft customer, switching to Windows Phone recently, and buying an Xbox One, that Microsoft will just say "Too bad, buy it again".

Thanks for your help!
Alex Boguszewski
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Couple of items to consider here:

-First off a laptop drive is generally built to be a little slower to conserve power BUT if you purchase a ssd for your desktop then the hard drive would be perfectly fine for generic storage. You will want to keep in mind as well the bay differences. Normally desktop bays are 3.5 and laptop hard drives are 2.5. So you will need to get some sort of adapter.

As far as copying over the license...generally no. There have been some rare situations where they have allowed it if you talk to Microsoft but the general consensus, is no, absolutely not. The license is supposed to be licensed to that piece of hardware and no other.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBUYPOWER
    CPU
    AMD 8320
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7850
    Screen Resolution
    1024x768
    Case
    Azza Solaris
    Internet Speed
    50MBps download/10MBps upload
    Browser
    Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes PRO
I bought the Windows 8 Pro product key, downloaded, and upgraded to Windows 8.
downloaded ? what did you download, is it a Windows 8 ISO ? if it is then you can use it to install your Windows 8 in the new PC. However, you might run into problem activating it since the Key is already used with the other PC but you can call MS, explain the situation and ask them to switch to your new PC.

EDIT: Since you have the Product Key for Windows 8 Pro, I think you can use it to download the ISO for Windows 8.1 and use it to install
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
Well if I purchased an ssd how would that make a difference? If you are suggesting I move the contents containing Windows 8.1 over to the SSD then I would just do that to the new Terabyte HDD I bought already. I am mainly concerned about simply getting 8.1 without having to purchase a license again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
I bought the Windows 8 Pro product key, downloaded, and upgraded to Windows 8.
downloaded ? what did you download, is it a Windows 8 ISO ? if it is then you can use it to install your Windows 8 in the new PC. However, you might run into problem activating it since the Key is already used with the other PC but you can call MS and and ask them to switch to your new PC.

Well the problem is the laptop doesnt work anymore so I would have to find a way to access the contents of the HDD. What I did was the Windows 8 upgrade online download whenever Windows 8 came out. What I downloaded was not an ISO, it was some upgrade .exe file.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Alex Bogus said:
My name is Alex Boguszewski. I bought a laptop, specifically the Samsung QX410-J01. The Laptop came pre-installed with Windows 7, and I upgraded to Windows 8 on 10/26/2012. I bought the Windows 8 Pro product key, downloaded, and upgraded to Windows 8.

Did you buy a full version or a Upgrade version?
 

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
Alex Bogus said:
My name is Alex Boguszewski. I bought a laptop, specifically the Samsung QX410-J01. The Laptop came pre-installed with Windows 7, and I upgraded to Windows 8 on 10/26/2012. I bought the Windows 8 Pro product key, downloaded, and upgraded to Windows 8.

Did you buy a full version or a Upgrade version?
Does not matter, I use the upgrade key and install full Windows 8.1 and it worked as long as you have the Windows 8.1 ISO
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
Alex Bogus said:
My name is Alex Boguszewski. I bought a laptop, specifically the Samsung QX410-J01. The Laptop came pre-installed with Windows 7, and I upgraded to Windows 8 on 10/26/2012. I bought the Windows 8 Pro product key, downloaded, and upgraded to Windows 8.

Did you buy a full version or a Upgrade version?
Upgrade version I believe. My receipt just says Windows 8 Pro Product Key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Well the problem is the laptop doesnt work anymore so I would have to find a way to access the contents of the HDD. What I did was the Windows 8 upgrade online download whenever Windows 8 came out. What I downloaded was not an ISO, it was some upgrade .exe file.

You will need a Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 full to upgrade the new PC, not the OEM from the old Samsung QX410-J01.
 

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
You have two options without re-installing:
  1. Take the HD from the bad PC and connect to your new PC then boot from it.
  2. Use Macrium free to clone the HD to your new drive then boot from it: Macrium Reflect Free

Again, you have to call MS to re-activate it.

@Theog
He already upgraded to Windows 8 Pro, so it is no longer OEM. And as said in my previous post, you can use full Windows 8 ISO to install and activate with the upgrade key without the need to have previous Windows installed. I did it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
So how can I get a full Windows 8 ISO, does Microsoft offer a download somewhere? I know there are probably other ways to get the ISO (wink wink nudge nudge), but would rather do that only if I have to.

EDIT: Also I do not really care about any files that are on the old HDD, I kept most of my stuff in Onedrive anyways.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Well if I purchased an ssd how would that make a difference? If you are suggesting I move the contents containing Windows 8.1 over to the SSD then I would just do that to the new Terabyte HDD I bought already. I am mainly concerned about simply getting 8.1 without having to purchase a license again.

The SSD is only for the OS not for the rest of your files ( videos, music, game libraries, etc ) You should get a SSD anyway to be honest in my opinion.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBUYPOWER
    CPU
    AMD 8320
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7850
    Screen Resolution
    1024x768
    Case
    Azza Solaris
    Internet Speed
    50MBps download/10MBps upload
    Browser
    Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes PRO
As i said earlier, you can use the current Windows 8 HD in the other PC, connect it to your new PC then boot it up. Next, call Microsoft to re-activate it.

There is a post in this forum about how to download the ISO, just search for it.

At this point, don't worry about using your new HD, just get your current Windows into the new PC and activate it then work on transfering to the new HD.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
@Theog
He already upgraded to Windows 8 Pro, so it is no longer OEM. And as said in my previous post, you can use full Windows 8 ISO to install and activate with the upgrade key without the need to have previous Windows installed. I did it.

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


warning   Warning
MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT

Windows 8 EULA

What about upgrading the software?
The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system (XP SP3, Vista, or Windows 7) software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.


 

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
@Theog
He already upgraded to Windows 8 Pro, so it is no longer OEM. And as said in my previous post, you can use full Windows 8 ISO to install and activate with the upgrade key without the need to have previous Windows installed. I did it.

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


warning   Warning
MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT

Windows 8 EULA

What about upgrading the software?
The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system (XP SP3, Vista, or Windows 7) software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.



As long as he does not use his Windows 7 in any other PC, I don't think he violates anything.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
As long as he does not use his Windows 7 in any other PC, I don't think he violates anything.

The OP has no original software to use, for the Upgrade.
 

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
I don't know for sure what the situation is in US. I expect it is the same as Europe, but I can't be certain.

Easiest is to ring MS, tell them exactly what you are doing, and get activated that way.

You are not transferring the original software, you are transferring windows 8. Should be fine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
edit:

Windows 8/8.1 license transfer a new Windows 8.1 computer. -> link
 
Last edited:

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.
Thank you all for your quick replies! I downloaded the Windows 8 ISO and am getting my computer case tonight! So tonight I will try to install it and see what happens. Again thanks for your assistance guys (possibly gals I don't really know).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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