Windows 8.1 OEM disk installing retail version.

[radzer0]

Just got off the phone with microsoft and they said the MSDM key is valid. But the install im trying to activate on is a retail install. Its an original oem microsoft disk not a download from an oem sleeve. Any ideas on this one for me? I only ever see this on toshiba laptops. Never on other brands.

Any ideas for me on this? It also only appears to happen on super cheap toshiba laptops. Most without even having a cdrom.

 

[popeye]

I didn't think there were OEM discs. I'm curious to see replies myself.

 

[radzer0]

Well what i consider oem is the copys you buy at amazon, newegg, etc etc that list as oem. Sleeve with a key on the outside. "System builder" as they are called sometimes now.

 

[popeye]

Oh, gotcha now, threw me off with the "OEM" thing. So the key you have won't activate? Have you tried the phone activation?

 

[radzer0]

It says the key is invalid in windows than when I call up microsoft they tell me the key is valid but I installed a retail edition that I need to install a OEM edition. No clue what this issue is at this point. Its stupid how they are supposed to pull the key from the bios but usually they dont. I believe microsoft changed something recently too as this has now happened on 3 computers here. Different oem disks even.

 

[popeye]

It wouldn't be in the BIOS if a home build, only in BIOS from manufacturer installed systems. Did you go through the automated phone activation where you have to read off a long string of numbers?

 

[radzer0]

Its not a home build. But thats the only way to get a OEM disk. Its a toshiba laptop. Oem disk when you type in the actual key from the bios it tells you it has no supported images.

 

[popeye]

I'm still a bit confused, sorry. So you are trying to use a disc install on a machine that has already had OEM 8.1 installed? It is not going to activate off the old BIOS key, you have to use the new key from the disc.

 

[radzer0]

Im trying to make a windows 8.1 oem disk install a oem load. I have an OEM key that microsoft says is valid but they are saying my load is loading in a retail version. Im trying to make the oem disk load a oem windows.

 

[popeye]

I don't think that is going work. I'll let somebody else chime in. Wiped/lost the old recovery partition?

Have to use the disc key.

 

[radzer0]

Microsoft is telling me to use an OEM disk and the code should work. Recovery partitions are a joke on windows 8. There about as functional as trying to get into safemode once the machine wont boot into windows.

Im dealing with multiple machines with this issue. Funny thing is just a week ago these disks worked fine with the bios keys. So I have no clue what microsoft started messing with getting ready for the windows 10 launch.

 

[radzer0]

It will also show the toshiba boot screen when booting the disk so it knows what brand it is. It just wont take the damn key. Oddly enough another windows 8.1 dell next to it didnt even ask for the key with the same disk. What is this bullshit anyways?

 

[KYHI]

What is this bullshit anyways?

not sure what your issue is.. But most OEMs embed the product key in the pc's firmware..
with System Builder OEM software the product key can only be used (activated) on 1 PC and can not be transferred to or used on another pc..

You can download and create windows 8.1 setup media that will read windows 8 / 8.1 oem and retail product keys > Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

if you have a Pro product key - download windows 8.1 Pro OS
is you have single language product key - download windows 8.1 single language OS
if you have standard core product key - download windows 8.1 OS
if you have the Bing Edition product key - there is no download > oem only OS

That is where windows recovery comes into play.. can clean install windows with system drivers and product key in a matter of minutes.. No Joke..

 

[radzer0]

Got a little more info for those who end up finding this post.
System builder is NOT oem. Its OEI. Cant find explination on the difference but apparently windows 8 and 8.1 all the vendors still call it oem yet its not. True OEM copys have the bing crap on them. I ordered a dell recovery oem disk that is supposed to have all images just to have on hand.

Toshiba that im dealing with turns out to have the bing crap, no clue for the HP as its a higher end all in one. So atleast one of the 2 problem machines ive figured out.

Also some PN's.

Windows 8.1 w/Bing
32bit - X19-57134
64bit - X19-57272

 

[KYHI]

You can download and create windows 8.1 setup media that will read windows 8 / 8.1 oem and retail product keys > Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

Works for everything, except for Bing.. Which just as I thought, you have..

 

[alphanumeric]

The "with Bing" is the issue. That's a custom SKU/version. Your OEM key will only get used automatically if you install the Windows 8.x Single language with Bing edition. Which is very hard to find. It's not listed on MSDN, and not included in the Media Creation Tool downloads. That's why Microsoft is saying get it from the OEM, AKA the laptop manufacturer. As far as I know retail Disks will read and use 8.x keys and 8.x Pro keys. They will not use the SL keys or SL with Bing keys. The Media Creation Tool will let you download the SL edition but not the SL with Bing. I do believe the SL with Bing is only offered on inexpensive devices with small screens. Only the OEM's get to install that version. If you do buy a disk from HP etc, check to see if its branded, when you use it. What I mean is, is it full of HP logo's etc. Open the system page and see if there is an HP logo there, and if the Support web Site etc is listed on that page. If it is they have added custom OEM info to the disk. there should be a $OEM$ folder in the sources folder. Delete that $OEM$ folder and it should kill all the OEM branding. Then that image can be used on any PC. The OEM key in the BIOS will still be used so no activation issues there. Test it out and see, if it works it will save you having to find multiple images for each manufacturer. I do it in reverse. I add an #OEM$ folder to my install images and customize it for each PC I own. I add the OEM logo and some system info for the system page. I also add a PID.txt file with my product code for that PC. The PID.txt file also lets me bypass the OEM key and install 8.1 Pro.