Solved Cannot refresh windows 8.1. Have no disc or ISO.

bubbaspaarx

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Hi there. First post here so please point me to in the right direction if I'm in the wrong place. I'd also like to thank you in advance for taking the time to help me.

As the title suggests, i'm one of the affected many who can't refresh 8.1 as I don't have the original disc or iso in which to create one. I have searched several forums and unless I have missed some important information, I cannot find how to download the correct ISO without becoming part of MSDN and can't seem to find a torrent that matches what I need... plus they mostly look dodgy.

I have also tried the trick of using the windows 8 installation to fool the windows 8.1 installation but have the same issue and error message I get when using the 8.1 installation i.e, "check your internet connection and try again".

The last resort I guess is to wipe the laptop and start again but would rather not but will take recommendation on this.

Let me know if there's any further information you need.

Dell Inspiron 17r 5720
Windows 8.1 GB en version

Many thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
Here is a link at Dell where you can request a recovery disk (it's free if your computer is still under warranty). It was free for me. I used this link a few days ago. It is for the U.S. and Canada only.
They FedEx'ed me a Windows 8.1 OEM recovery DVD and a Drivers DVD.

Dell - "Request backup and recovery discs for your device (US and Canada only)"
http://dell.to/19q87KN
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64-bit OEM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17R - 5737
    CPU
    Intel i5-4200U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.6 GHz, UMA)
    Memory
    8 GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (4GBx2) Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3 inch LED Backlit Display with Truelife and HD+
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital, 1-TB WD Blue SATA III, 5400 RPM, 8 MB Cache
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Mouse 4500
    Internet Speed
    20 mb up / 17 mb down
    Browser
    Google Chrome 64-bit
    Antivirus
    MS Defender / Malwarebytes PRO
Hi there guys. Thanks or coming back to me. I tried the suggested methods and found the link for downloading the 8.1 iso but as I can't seem to find the right iso i.e. gb-en x64 i'll just have to reinstall from scratch to 8.0 then upgrade after at which point i'll make a recovery iso and go from there. Unfortunately, being in the uk means Dell are less than helpful.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Dell will automatically send you a Recovery Disc for the operating system associated with your Dell Service Tag. If you installed something later, they won't send that. They only send you what they originally installed on your Dell system.

If Dell sells the system in the EU they should have an EU office that can help you. Do a Google search. If the system is within warranty, the Recovery Discs should be free. If it is out of warranty, the cost is still less than buying a copy of Windows 8.1 from Microsoft.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64-bit OEM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17R - 5737
    CPU
    Intel i5-4200U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.6 GHz, UMA)
    Memory
    8 GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (4GBx2) Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3 inch LED Backlit Display with Truelife and HD+
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital, 1-TB WD Blue SATA III, 5400 RPM, 8 MB Cache
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Mouse 4500
    Internet Speed
    20 mb up / 17 mb down
    Browser
    Google Chrome 64-bit
    Antivirus
    MS Defender / Malwarebytes PRO
Hi there,

here is a tutorial which should help you out. It also states where you can download a ISO copy of Windows 8.1.

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

Goodluck with it!

Greetz,

Der Snoober

Just wanted to say a quick thank you to Der Snoober as I spent a little more time delving into this one and it worked brilliantly. Clean install of 8.1 activated and ready to go. Removed about 50gb of rubbish off the hdd and muuuuch faster.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Hi there,

here is a tutorial which should help you out. It also states where you can download a ISO copy of Windows 8.1.

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

Goodluck with it!

Greetz,

Der Snoober

Just wanted to say a quick thank you to Der Snoober as I spent a little more time delving into this one and it worked brilliantly. Clean install of 8.1 activated and ready to go. Removed about 50gb of rubbish off the hdd and muuuuch faster.

You're welcome! I'm glad it worked our for you.

Greetz,

Rover
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
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