Need help formatted genuine windows 8 in lenovo

How to view Windows 8/8.1 OEM Product key for UEFI Firmwar

If you want to get rid of the bloatware apps or if Refresh/Reset does not work. Or if you switch to a new hard drive to your computer and if the Windows 8/8.1 recovery USB flash drive is not able to install Windows 8/8.1 to a blank hard drive.

How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key.

Note: This Windows 8.1 installation media accepts Windows 8/8.1 product keys, both OEM and retail (for example, "Windows 8 Pro $15/$40 Upgrade Offer" product key).

1. Create installation media for Windows 8.1

- The Windows Installation Media Creation Tool works on Windows 7/8/8.1/10.
- The download succeeds without product key.
- Both the 64-bit installation media (USB flash drive and DVD) can be booted in both UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot mode. Both the 64-bit installation media are also compatible with Secure Boot.

Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

Note: You need to download the correct version of Windows 8.1 that matches your UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key.

Select the language for the installation media (see screenshot below). You can choose any language you like, if you want to perform a clean installation of Windows 8.1.

View attachment 53458

- If you have an OEM computer that came with Windows 8/8.1 preinstalled, you need to download Windows 8.1.
- If you have an OEM computer that came with Windows 8/8.1 Pro preinstalled, you need to download Windows 8.1 Pro.

- If you have an OEM computer that came with Windows 8/8.1 Single Language preinstalled, you need to download Windows 8.1 Single Language. In Windows 8/8.1 Single Language you can change your keyboard layout language, but you can't change your Windows display language.

Note: You will not find the correct installation media, if you have an OEM computer that came with Windows 8.1 with Bing or Windows 8.1 Single Language with Bing preinstalled.

View attachment 53459

So that you do not need to change the UEFI firmware (BIOS) settings, when you perform a clean installation of Windows 8.1.
- If you have an OEM computer that came with Windows 8/8.1 32-bit preinstalled, you need to download Windows 8.1 32-bit.
- If you have an OEM computer that came with Windows 8/8.1 64-bit preinstalled, you need to download Windows 8.1 64-bit.

View attachment 53460

Select either USB flash drive or ISO file (see screenshot below).

Note: You need at least 8 GB USB flash drive (if you select option "USB flash drive").

View attachment 53461

View attachment 53462

View attachment 53463

View attachment 53464

If you previously selected the ISO file option and once the ISO file is created, select the Open DVD burner option (see screenshot below).

View attachment 53465

2. Clean install Windows 8.1 from USB/DVD.

Normally, you do not need to change the UEFI firmware (BIOS) settings, for example, the boot order of drives, enable Legacy BIOS boot mode, enable Compatibility Support Module (CSM), or disable Secure Boot. But on some computers, you may need to enable the boot menu before you can access it.

- Connect your Windows 8.1 USB flash drive or insert your Windows 8.1 DVD.
- Restart the computer.
- Press the correct key to enter the boot menu (see this link for help). Or, if you have a Lenovo computer, you can also press the NOVO button when the computer is turned off and then select "Boot Menu".
- Select your USB/DVD from the boot menu.

Tip   Tip
Select the Repair your computer option (see screenshot below) if you want to repair your computer, for example, "Reset your PC" or "System Restore".

-or-

Press SHIFT+F10 to bring up command prompt if you want to manually repair your computer, for example, you want to repair by using the bcdboot command.

View attachment 64001


After you have selected the Install now option (see screenshot above).

Note: If you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key, the Windows 8.1 installer should automatically detect product key from UEFI firmware (BIOS).

Note: If you are being prompted for a product key, it means that you have the wrong installation media and that's when the Windows 8.1 installer can't detect Windows 8/8.1 product key from UEFI firmware (BIOS).

On the Which type of installation do you want? screen, select the "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option (see screenshot below).

View attachment 59140

warning   Warning
Do not delete the partitions on your hard drive, if you have important files on your hard drive and you will not be able to backup your important files.

- Select the partition on which Windows is installed (see screenshot below).
- Click on the "Next" button.

View attachment 63470

- You will receive the following message (see screenshot below): If the partition you've chosen contains files from a previous Windows installation, these files and folders will be moved to a folder named Windows.old. You'll be able to access Windows.old, but you won't be able to use your previous version of Windows.

- Click on the "OK" button.
- The installation of Windows will begin.

View attachment 63471

Be sure to copy any files that you may want out of the Windows.old folder before you delete it.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2527-windows-old-folder-delete-windows-8-a.html



If you want to do a complete clean install and if you have backed up your important files.

On the Where do you want to install Windows? screen, you'll need to delete all of the partitions (see screenshot below). Select a partition and click on the "Delete" option for each partition.

View attachment 53024

Once you have deleted all of the partitions, you only see Drive 0 Unallocated Space (see screenshot below).

Click on the "Next" button. The installation of Windows will begin. All the required partitions are created automatically during the install.

Or, if you know what you're doing, you can click on the "New" button and create a separate data partition.

View attachment 53025

3. When installation is finished.

Note: When installation is finished, Windows 8.1 will be activated automatically, if your internet connection is up and running (see screenshot below).

View attachment 53535

Other instructions.

- How to create a bootable Windows 10 USB flash drive. -> link
- Installing using UEFI boot mode or Legacy BIOS boot mode. -> link
- How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 if you don't have an OEM computer that came with Windows 8/8.1 preinstalled. -> link
- How to transfer Windows 8/8.1 license to new computer. -> link
- How to split the system partition to two partitions. -> link
- How to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 8/10. -> link

How to view Windows 8/8.1 OEM product key from UEFI firmware (BIOS).

Open the command prompt and type (or copy and paste) the following command.

Code:
WMIC Path SoftwareLicensingService Get OA3xOriginalProductKey

View attachment 64023
The command returned Error : Description = Not found
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home (64-bit)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS K55N -DS81
    CPU
    AMD A8-4500M
    Motherboard
    ASUSTeK Computer Inc
    Memory
    4GB
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
The command returned Error : Description = Not found

Showkey - Windows 10 Forums

ShowKeyPlus.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
So I made an account because I'm having this same issue as others here (original HD stopped working altogether) and... I don't have an option to boot from DVD? I have USB and a large flash drive I can grab from the car, but for those that don't have a flash drive... Is there a way to make my BIOS give me that option? I see no way to enable that. Or do I need to find a way to update my BIOS? My Windows Update is starting to eyeball this update to 10 I have sitting and the last thing I want is for my laptop to get bricked @_@

Edit: Or can I just use the CMD command to get my key and enter it that way?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
So I made an account because I'm having this same issue as others here (original HD stopped working altogether) and... I don't have an option to boot from DVD? I have USB and a large flash drive I can grab from the car, but for those that don't have a flash drive... Is there a way to make my BIOS give me that option? I see no way to enable that. Or do I need to find a way to update my BIOS? My Windows Update is starting to eyeball this update to 10 I have sitting and the last thing I want is for my laptop to get bricked @_@

Edit: Or can I just use the CMD command to get my key and enter it that way?

I'm not sure what your asking to be honest? Why do you need your key? What OS is that PC running now?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I'm not sure what your asking to be honest? Why do you need your key? What OS is that PC running now?

The key that returns from the CMD command line. I'm running on 8.1 right now, but my laptop has tried to download 10 on it's own once now and F10 doesn't return an option to boot from DVD, only USB.

(Thank you for the response ♥)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
I'm not sure what your asking to be honest? Why do you need your key? What OS is that PC running now?

The key that returns from the CMD command line. I'm running on 8.1 right now, but my laptop has tried to download 10 on it's own once now and F10 doesn't return an option to boot from DVD, only USB.

(Thank you for the response ♥)

showkey will get you your key info, Showkey - Windows 10 Forums You still didn't answer why you need it? Windows 8.1 will not upgrade to 10 without you giving permission. Is the DVD your tying to boot from bootable?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
showkey will get you your key info, Showkey - Windows 10 Forums You still didn't answer why you need it? Windows 8.1 will not upgrade to 10 without you giving permission. Is the DVD your tying to boot from bootable?

Oh, sorry, thought I had replied to that part. I mean, my original hard drive stopped working altogether like I mentioned, so obviously I got a new one, unobviously it is an SSD I'm on now and (something I should have mentioned) the universal keys for 8 have been blocked, so I keep getting the Activate Windows now which isn't too bad, though it interrupts my Netflix. Windows 10 did try to download itself until I turned off automatic download/install of updates, so that's one issue conquered.

I followed the instructions on making the recovery disc, and it said it was successful, but when I tried to boot from it it only showed USB, HDD/SDD, and... a third one I can't recall as an option to boot from. I guess I didn't follow it as correctly as I had, ugh.

But I should be safe to use the key that it gives me using CMD right? I'm just concerned that it won't take it and that's the correct key that's on my MB/BIOS before I start entering it (x _ x)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
showkey will get you your key info, Showkey - Windows 10 Forums You still didn't answer why you need it? Windows 8.1 will not upgrade to 10 without you giving permission. Is the DVD your tying to boot from bootable?

Oh, sorry, thought I had replied to that part. I mean, my original hard drive stopped working altogether like I mentioned, so obviously I got a new one, unobviously it is an SSD I'm on now and (something I should have mentioned) the universal keys for 8 have been blocked, so I keep getting the Activate Windows now which isn't too bad, though it interrupts my Netflix. Windows 10 did try to download itself until I turned off automatic download/install of updates, so that's one issue conquered.

I followed the instructions on making the recovery disc, and it said it was successful, but when I tried to boot from it it only showed USB, HDD/SDD, and... a third one I can't recall as an option to boot from. I guess I didn't follow it as correctly as I had, ugh.

But I should be safe to use the key that it gives me using CMD right? I'm just concerned that it won't take it and that's the correct key that's on my MB/BIOS before I start entering it (x _ x)

Ok, now I'm on the same page. Official Microsoft install media will read and use the OEM embedded key automatically. If you had to use a generic key to install you likely installed the wrong version. Run showkey and look at what it lists for OEM Edition. Then go here, and download the matching 8.1 edition, Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help. If it was 8 or 8.1 Core download Windows 8.1, if it was 8.0 Pro or 8.1 Pro download 8.1 Pro etc. Get it right and it will install without asking for a key and activate just fine.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
'kay, so it says my original edition was Win Next Starter Retail with an OEM edition of 8.1 RTM Core. Since this is officially way over my head, wouldn't it be just 8.1? Or is it 8.1 N? And, provided it not automatically pick up the key, for whatever reason, would I use the original key or the OEM key? I know it matters for the version that actually gets installed. And would I be able to use one of the keys here in the Activate screen or does it just not quite work that easily?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
'kay, so it says my original edition was Win Next Starter Retail with an OEM edition of 8.1 RTM Core. Since this is officially way over my head, wouldn't it be just 8.1? Or is it 8.1 N? And, provided it not automatically pick up the key, for whatever reason, would I use the original key or the OEM key? I know it matters for the version that actually gets installed. And would I be able to use one of the keys here in the Activate screen or does it just not quite work that easily?

I don't know what "Win Next Starter Retail" is? Superfly likely does though, post it in the showkey thread and he can likely sort it out. My guess is it was Windows 8 with Bing. Each different version has its own set of keys that are not interchangeable. A Pro key will not work for 8.1 for example. I'm pretty sure you don't want N or KN, and it's not Pro. So it's 8.1 or 8.1 Single Language, or 8.1 with Bing. If it's the With Bing edition that could be a PITA. That's a hard ISO to find. If it was the With Bing, and you installed Core or Pro, the embedded key will not work. It will be rejected when you type it in. Let me get back to you in a while.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
'kay, so it says my original edition was Win Next Starter Retail with an OEM edition of 8.1 RTM Core. Since this is officially way over my head, wouldn't it be just 8.1? Or is it 8.1 N? And, provided it not automatically pick up the key, for whatever reason, would I use the original key or the OEM key? I know it matters for the version that actually gets installed. And would I be able to use one of the keys here in the Activate screen or does it just not quite work that easily?

Win Next Starter Retail keys are generic inteded for Win10 preview releases - I'm not sure why that is still part of the registry, but that key can be ignored. Core is just the full name for plain 8.1 ( it would say Core N or whatever for the other versions)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
Thanks Superfly. @ Chevko , what version do you have installed? If it's Pro, that's why you have the key issue. You'll have to clean install just 8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
'kay, dumb question time!

Where would I see which version I have installed? I'm looking at System and it says just 8.1. I don't really remember what my tech guy said he put on the original install disc, but we've been using the Universal Key for plain 8(.1).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
'kay, dumb question time!

Where would I see which version I have installed? I'm looking at System and it says just 8.1. I don't really remember what my tech guy said he put on the original install disc, but we've been using the Universal Key for plain 8(.1).

Under Windows edition on the system page. If it just says Windows 8.1, that's the Core/basic edition. If it was Pro it would say Windows 8.1 Pro under Windows Edition. You can also run winver. There was a time when you had to install with an 8.1 generic key and then activate with your 8.0 key. Then latter on Microsoft updated their install media so it would install with 8.0 keys too. I guess it couldn't hurt to try entering the OEM key showkey shows. It will either work or not, you won't be any worse off.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
You can run showkey, then click on the keys shown and it will fill them in with x's, just leaving the last 5 characters. Then you can post the screen shot and not give away any of your keys.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
asdf.png
I had the image already prepped to go since I didn't see that there was a new page here xD

Then... I should be safe to use the OEM Key, right? I just want to be sure to not put in the wrong one xP I did sign up for the Win10 release as soon as it was available for me, so that may be why it's showing Win Next then?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
Yes the OEM key is the correct one - I'm not sure where that installed key came from - It's a Win 8.0 System Builder key and your PC came with Win 8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
View attachment 65948
I had the image already prepped to go since I didn't see that there was a new page here xD

Then... I should be safe to use the OEM Key, right? I just want to be sure to not put in the wrong one xP I did sign up for the Win10 release as soon as it was available for me, so that may be why it's showing Win Next then?

Try entering the OEM key. It will either accept it or reject it. You won't be any worse off than you are now as far as I know. If it accepts it it should activate. If that happens your all set without having to reinstall 8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I just tried it but it says that the key didn't work... Do you have any idea if I should try the Retail key or should I call Microsoft about it?

Thanks for the help guys!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
Does OEM DM mean its the Single language version? I googled it but didn't find anything conclusive? In the past showkey would say Single Language if it was the SL version. Only other thing I can suggest is start over with a clean install of 8.1 downloaded from here, Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help There is something weird about your current install, makes me wonder what install media was used. Starting over with the correct version should sort it all out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
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