Windows 8 Pro 64 bit OEM activating as standard

[Dwarfboysim]

Hi,
I recently got a new PC via my insurance company that came with Windows 8 standard. I requested pro be included with it and they gave me an OEM Windows 8 Pro 64 bit. I have blanked the hard drive and installed it. During the install it does not ask for the product key. Once the install is complete I go to system info and it says Windows is already activated and shows a product key that ends in OEM. At the top it shows the name of the product as Windows 8. If I go to add features it tells me I need to buy pro. If I try to change or use the product key that came in the oem packaging for pro 64 bit it says that product key will not work and to try another.

I contacted Microsoft activation and all they said was to take it back to the retailer and they will help me.

HELP

Thanks,
Dwarfboysim

 

[popeye]

It does sound like they botched the install. Is it UEFI Bios with embedded key? There are tools to get the embedded key and then you could try it. If it doesn't work then it may never have been Pro to begin with.

Are you saying the computer came with 8 installed but then they gave you a Pro key? I'm a bit confused.

 

[Dwarfboysim]

The machine came with standard out of the box. I was given an oem by the retailer. Is there a a way to over write the one in the bios or would I need to buy a pro upgrade once I have installed windows 8 oem to get around the problem?

 

[Dwarfboysim]

I have a full sealed Microsoft oem which I have opened, blanked the hard drive of the machine (which is a HP) and then loaded the oem disk.

 

[popeye]

I think you are stuck with doing an upgrade. The BIOS is seeing the OEM 8 standard key.

PS: You may be able to do a non-UEFI install since you have the discs and key. Switch to legacy mode in BIOS.

 

[theog]

Try the Pro key in
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6673-add-features-windows-8-a.html

 

[Simmons]

Dwarfboysim,

I found myself in precisely the same situation that you're dealing with. I ended up finding this excellent step-by-step post on one of Microsoft's forums:

Cannot install Win 8 OEM version to notebook. Unmatching product - Microsoft Community

As I'm new here on these forums, I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to copy the post here, so hopefully the link will work. If not, post back and I'll outline the steps I took.

Almost forgot: See the link in the post for additional details on the additional info you'll need. By the way, the Edition ID you'll want to use is "Pro" and the Channel you'll want to specify is "OEM". - Hope this helps.

 

[genet]

edit:

Note: The PID.txt file is no longer needed.

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

1. Download Windows 8.1 Pro installation media (see this link for help).

2. Clean install Windows 8.1 Pro from USB/DVD.

Enter your Windows 8/8.1 Pro product key (see screenshot below).

 

[theog]

Try the Pro key in
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6673-add-features-windows-8-a.html

If the OEM Product Key will not work in Add Features you will need to do a clean install of Pro.

Make a UEFI USB drive installer.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html


Open Notepad & make a file called ei.cfg add the code below.

[EditionID] 
[Channel] 
OEM 
[VL] 
0

Add the file to SOURCES.



Than install

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html

 

[genet]

Note that you must use the edition configuration (EI.cfg) file or the product ID (PID.txt) file, but not both files.

 

[caperjack]

in the immortal words of my English teacher ,its "then install" ,not than , lol ,just kidding really, I see it used incorrectly a lot online