Solved Lost legal Win 8.1

Muffin111

New Member
Messages
3
My ASUS Ultrabook laptop was purchased from Staples a year and a half ago. It was running on Win 8.1 and was used with my TV for watching Netflix-type (legal) movies and listening to streaming music. The pin I used for the year and a half was simply an unforgettable 1111. The other day the pin stopped working. I mean that the computer said it was the wrong password and refused to go beyond the entry screen with it. I tried every password in the book (windows live pw, etc.) to get into the OS, but with no success. Finally, with concurring advice from ASUS help, I decided I'd have to reinstall windows 8 from the partition that was supposed to be there. I tried it through the "start and push f9" system", but it turned out there was no reset partition on the computer. I then tried everything else offered through start & push f9 (go to safe mode, etc. etc.), but each process it took me back to the pin entry and accomplished nothing. So I do have to reinstall Windows 8. *** I have a few questions about this process. My purchased new computer from Staples came with Windows 8.1 installed, but (obviously) there was no disk. In fact I can't even find a Product Key for the O.S. on the computer. So do I have to buy an expensive retail version of Win 8, or is there another legal way I can get it installed without forking over half the value of the computer? This 80-year-old none-IT ex-military pensioner would appreciate any and all advice. Thanks. Don.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hello Muffin, and welcome to Eight Forums.

The product key is now embedded in the motherboard's UEFI firmware chip on OEM PCs that come with Windows 8/8.1 preinstalled. When you install Windows 8.1, it'll automatically detect the product key in the firmware chip and activate when online next.

You can use OPTION ONE in the tutorial below for how to download an official Windows 8.1 ISO file from Microsoft, create a bootable UEFI USB installation media, and do a clean install of Windows 8.1 with. It will activate with either a Windows 8 or 8.1 key. :)

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html#option1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Since this is a laptop, remove the battery and check to see if there is a sticker underneath that has the Windows license.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Haswell i5 4690
    Motherboard
    Asus Z97-A
    Memory
    2 x 8gb HyperX, by Kingston
    Graphics Card(s)
    None yet
    Sound Card
    Outboard USB DAC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S24D360
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Since this is a laptop, remove the battery and check to see if there is a sticker underneath that has the Windows license.

Hello Rocky,

OEM PCs that come with Windows 8/8.1 preinstall no longer have COA stickers on them anymore. Instead, the product key is embedded in the UEFI firmware chip to help prevent theft and loss of the key. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Didn't know that, thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Haswell i5 4690
    Motherboard
    Asus Z97-A
    Memory
    2 x 8gb HyperX, by Kingston
    Graphics Card(s)
    None yet
    Sound Card
    Outboard USB DAC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S24D360
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Hello Muffin, and welcome to Eight Forums.

The product key is now embedded in the motherboard's UEFI firmware chip on OEM PCs that come with Windows 8/8.1 preinstalled. When you install Windows 8.1, it'll automatically detect the product key in the firmware chip and activate when online next.

You can use OPTION ONE in the tutorial below for how to download an official Windows 8.1 ISO file from Microsoft, create a bootable UEFI USB installation media, and do a clean install of Windows 8.1 with. It will activate with either a Windows 8 or 8.1 key. :)

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html#option1

Yes and you should also go to Asus Support Downloads and download all the latest drivers for your hardware including Chipset, IRST, IME have them ready to install.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
:thumbsup:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Terrific! Thanks Brink, Clintlgm and others. You've provided very clear instructions that will rescue me. I will follow them as soon as I can and post back. How helpful this is!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Glad we could help. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello again. Although your directions an advise were right on the mark and much appreciated, I wasn't able to manage the installation myself. However the Computer supervisor at my local Staples store returned to work and I was able to contact him. He kindly agreed to set up a generic copy of 8.1 on a USB for me for the price of the USB and a small additional fee. It cost me about 25 bucks, but saved me a lot of time and difficulty. I used the USB to restore my windows 8.1 without any problem. I'm now going to make it look like Windows 7 with the help of information already available on this splendid forum. Thanks again for your generosity in trying to help me out. Best wishes, Don.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Great news Don. I'm happy to hear that you got it all installed and running again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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