Finding windows 8 product key in the bios on a bsod comp

Bcrich17 · Aug 15, 2014

Hi. I have an acer aspire computer with corrupted key windows files. So i am unable to even boot windows. When i start windows i get a BSOD. Now first of all i dont think this is an issue that should be posted in the BSOD section of the forum and i will explain.

What i am trying to do is retreive my product key from the BIOS with a program that is bootable outside of windows. Like from a USB for example.

My intention is to restore my computer with a clean install by downloading my windows 8 version on another computer to a usb through the windows website after i retreive my product key. Then use this usb to install my windows 8 version back onto the BSOD computer. But as i have stated, i am unable to use the conventional product key finding programs since i cant even boot windows 8. Any help on finding a program like this would be appreciated

Bcrich17 · Aug 15, 2014

You might ask why i wouldnt just order restore disks from my manufacturer, and i already have. Haha. But i am an impatient person and want to see if i can fix my windows 8 this way. Thank you

topgundcp · Aug 16, 2014

My intention is to restore my computer with a clean install by downloading my windows 8 version on another computer to a usb through the windows website after i retreive my product key. Then use this usb to install my windows 8 version back onto the BSOD computer. But as i have stated, i am unable to use the conventional product key finding programs since i cant even boot windows 8. Any help on finding a program like this would be appreciated

As long as you have the same version of Windows, you don't need the product key. During the installation, Windows will retrieve the product key from the BIOS.

Superfly · Aug 16, 2014

If you have to, you can runa Live Linux version and use the following command to get your key:

sudo cat /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM

However, that key will not allow you to download from M$.