8.1 Pro - volume license key. NO updated drivers?

[davexnet]

Hi all,
installed a test system using the common VLK GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9,
the install found drivers for all my components but the drivers are old, appear the drivers
are from the install media (they're dated 2013/14)

the motherboard is a 2014 ASrock GC960-gc-gs, it has the very common
Realtek GBE family network controller and Realtek High Definition Audio - yet Windows update
has failed to find a single update for anything H/W related.

Is this a limitation of 8.1 Pro with volume license key, it seems odd.

 

[TechnoMage]

With all the Guru's lurking around, I'm surprised that NO ONE has answered your plea. ???
By now, you've probably stopped looking for an answer.

I'm not familiar with the in's and out's of the Volume License Key, but just let me say, that if that PC were mine,
I'd install the latest possible version of Windows 8.1/Pro/??? It's out there, and very available.
Can't find it? Send me a PM and I'll see if I can help.
Happy Holidays,
TM

 

[Bree]

installed a test system using the common VLK GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9,the install found drivers for all my components but the drivers are old, appear the drivers are from the install media (they're dated 2013/14)

the motherboard is a 2014 ASrock GC960-gc-gs...

Is this a limitation of 8.1 Pro with volume license key, it seems odd.

That sounds about right. You won't find anything newer for Windows 8 64 bit on ASRock's own site. ASRock seem to have stopped supporting this motherboard at Windows 8. For Windows 8.1 and above they just provide the audio driver.

ASRock > 960GC-GS FX

Supports AM3+ Processor, 8-Core CPU; Supports Dual Channel DDR3 1866(OC) / DDR2 1066; Built-in AMD Radeon 3000 graphics, DX10, PS 4.0; 5.1 CH HD Audio (Realtek ALC662 Audio Codec); Supports ASRock X-Boost, XFast 555, App Charger; Free Bundle : CyberLink MediaEspresso 6.5 Trial, Google Chrome...

www.asrock.com

By the way, that is not a Volume license key (VLK), it is the generic Key Management Services key. According to MS "This key is sometimes referred to as the KMS client key, but it is formally known as a Microsoft Generic Volume License Key (GVLK)". A true VLK key will activate Windows, a KMS key requires to regularly contact a KMS server to maintain activation.

Key Management Services (KMS) client activation and product keys for Windows Server and Windows

Get the product keys needed for setup and activation of Windows Server and other Windows products from a KMS host server.

docs.microsoft.com

 

[davexnet]

Thanks for the responses. You're right the motherboard's site has nothing,
but there are plenty of WIndows 8 updates direct from Realtek for the NIC and soundcard
which install and work fine when done manually. Even the bare bones onboard (ATI Radeon 3000) graphics
wasn't installed just a generic driver from MS.

On the otherhand, installing 10 on this same rig, finds all the latest Realtek and AMD drivers for this HW.

Thanks for the KMS/VLK distinction

Regarding TechnoMage's comment about the 8.1 version, I found this image from MS
Is he referring to something else?

Windows 8 - Microsoft Lifecycle

Windows 8 follows the Fixed Lifecycle Policy.

www.microsoft.com

 

[erpster4]

for onboard ATI Radeon 3000 graphics just let Windows Update install the available driver for Win8.1.

edit - regarding ATI Radeon 3000 graphics on Win8.1/Win10, see this AMD KB article on driver support for Radeon 2000, 3000, 4000 graphics

Driver support for these products under Windows® 8.1 and Windows® 10 is only available via Windows Update. Please enable Windows Update to allow it to automatically detect and install display driver version 8.970.100.9001

 

[davexnet]

This is my whole point -
WU in 8.1 never did find any updated drivers for any of my HW, and it was stuck using the generic driver.
I had to update it manually from AMD download.

As I mentioned above, this did not happen when I installed WIndows 10, it installed the proper graphics driver
either during the install or shortly after via WU