Clean Install on Preinstalled UEFI Lenovo Laptop

[winbar]

This forum is so much of wealthy info and thanks to you all for helping folks like me.

Computer:
New Lenovo Z580 Laptop with UEFI and Windows 8 Preinstalled

What I did (did many things but this is what I remember):
1. Tried installing Ubuntu, lost partitions and Windows didn't boot either

2. Recovered some of the Partitions using Minitool etc but all the Windows files were lost

3. Downloaded Lenovo One Key Recovery ISO (OKR8 ISO) and installed it. Now the one recovery seems to work - at least the screen comes up but there is an error when I tried to do recovery - error code 0xe0ef0050

4. Created a Windows set up USB using my friend Enterprise DVD and overwrote the Install.wim file using the Install.wim that I got from the recovery partition (had to split the image into swm files) but it didn't work. It said the product key doesn't match with the image (I didn't enter any product key anywhere)

5. Tried applying the image of the install.wim that I got from the recovery partition using DISM but it didn't work.

What I have now:
A USB Recovery Disk
The OEM Product key that I got using rweverything
A Windows 8 enterprise edition DVD from a friend
Install.wim file (around 8.9GB) that I recovered from the PRB_DRV partition. In fact I have all files from that partition intact and stored in my other computer.

I have spent more than two weeks in fixing this. I'm trying to avoid spending $50 for a recovery disk from Lenovo. If it comes to that I'll rather buy a fresh copy of Windows.

What are my options?:
1. Can I use somehow apply install.wim image directly on the computer? DISM doesn't work. It first gave error 87 and that the command "apply-image" is unknown. I copied the DISM files from my other computer and overwrote the ones on the setup usb disk that I created using the Enterprise DVD but this time when it came back to command prompt without throwing any error.

2. Can I use my friend's enterprise version and install it assuming it will work?
For a fresh install, from what I saw in the web, it seems that I have to use the same exact "version" of Windows 8 that came preinstalled and install it. If so, how do I make sure I find and install the same version?

 

[theog]

Option One.
You can Order Lenovo Recovery Disks from here:
https://www.lenovorecovery.com/Extranet/Home.aspx

Option Two.
Buy Windows 8/8.1 DVD & Product Key.

 

[genet]

I also have a Lenovo G580 laptop with preinstalled Windows 8 (updated to Windows 8.1), but then I have made a clean installation of Windows 8.1.

How to clean install Windows 8.1 if you have OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key?

 

[winbar]

Thanks Genet. I'm not sure if I have a single language version or not as I can't even boot into my Windows. What version did you have? Since mine is also Lenovo I hope the same version would work (mine is Z580 and not G580 as I earlier mentioned). Also how can I find a legit version of the ISO image you're referring to in that post? I'm very hesitant to download it from anywhere because of danger that comes along with it. Since I have an enterprise version already, would it work? I think I can get a MSDN version also from a friend. I'm sorry for all the dumb questions. Appreciate your help.

 

[SIW2]

Enterprise version is no use to you.

If you know someone with msdn account, they can get hold of single language installation media. It should be fine with the key embedded in your firmware.

Otherwise you will have to d/l from tinternet.

File name: 9600.16384.130821-1623_x64fre_Client_SingleLanguage_EN-US-IRM_CSLA_DV5.ISO

SHA1: 10F0288681BF56D22D9ADC58E27BEE2D781E6A1D

 

[SIW2]

1. Can I use somehow apply install.wim image directly on the computer?

Yes, but you will need bootable media, winpe preferably with something that can apply wim images, gimagex, or imagex. 8.1 dism should be able to do it also, but seems to be borked on your system.

 

[theog]

A lot of Lenovo Recovery DVD's on ebay lately.

 

[SIW2]

People hate paying fifty bucks for these things. Can't say I blame them. Maybe a bargain on ebay, worth a look, i suppose.

 

[winbar]

Thanks everyone. What a wonderful forum! I never imagined so quick replies from so many folks!

I'll check with my friend if he has the MSDN version and then use it. Otherwise I'll buy a new copy of Windows. I'm a bit paranoid to download from the internet or buy a recovery copy from the Internet. What if there is an inbuilt spyware or something?!!! I can hear you all laughing!

 

[Wynona]

Thanks everyone. What a wonderful forum! I never imagined so quick replies from so many folks!

I'll check with my friend if he has the MSDN version and then use it. Otherwise I'll buy a new copy of Windows. I'm a bit paranoid to download from the internet or buy a recovery copy from the Internet. What if there is an inbuilt spyware or something?!!! I can hear you all laughing!

Actually, that was a gasp you heard!

One other thing you may need to know; is the laptop a 64 bit system or a 32 bit system. The only reason I say this is that if the machine won't do 64 bit, you may wind up starting over with your install.

 

[SIW2]

LOL. Where do you think almost everybody on the various windows forums gets their isos from?

Thanks everyone. What a wonderful forum! I never imagined so quick replies from so many folks!

I'll check with my friend if he has the MSDN version and then use it. Otherwise I'll buy a new copy of Windows. I'm a bit paranoid to download from the internet or buy a recovery copy from the Internet. What if there is an inbuilt spyware or something?!!! I can hear you all laughing!

 

[winbar]

Folks, here is the update. I got a MSDN DVD from a friend and was finally able to install. I tried another method which was almost successful but not fully. Since I have Windows 8 in another PC I tried downloading the retail ISO from Microsoft and tried add an EI.cfg file as explained in this thread:

http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/34102-how-download-windows-8-1-clean-install.html

But unfortunately what I had in my laptop was Core Windows 8 whereas the one I had in my other PC was Pro. So when I used the PC's Product Key to download the ISO I got only a Pro ISO. So it didn't work.

It looks like information is too much spread over the web. The best place seems to be this forum for the kind of issues that I was facing. But the tip about using EI.cfg file for the preinstalled Laptop was buried under it. Anyway, I'm glad I got a lot of help here and again thanks to you all.