Factory reset questions

Clayf700

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Do you need to re-enter your serial key when you do a factory reset from within the settings? Same thing when you refresh your PC, My license ran out. And when factory reset, will it get rid of my Radeon Drivers? (I want them gone, I'm going NVidia soon).

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro, Mac OS X Mavericks (Hackintosh), Ubuntu 14.04
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom (Mostly Asus)
    CPU
    Intel i7 - 4 Core 8 Thread 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V LK
    Memory
    16GB RipJaw
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia ASUS GTX770
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There are a couple of options to get rid of left over files. One is Driver Fusion. Try that before doing a complete reinstall.

Driver Fusion: Driver Fusion - The Complete Driver Solution

What license do you have that "ran out"? The Windows key is valid for reinstalls. If its an OEM version then its only valid for the system it was initially installed on.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
There are a couple of options to get rid of left over files. One is Driver Fusion. Try that before doing a complete reinstall.

Driver Fusion: Driver Fusion - The Complete Driver Solution

What license do you have that "ran out"? The Windows key is valid for reinstalls. If its an OEM version then its only valid for the system it was initially installed on.

My case is a little different, I upgraded from windows 7. That windows 7 was not the OEM version, and was used on multiple PCs. So I got completely new hardware, and then freshly reinstalled windows 7 and then upgraded to 8. Only I needed to call Microsoft and spend 2 hours on the phone in order for them to overwrite my "bad" serial key. So what I am wondering is if I factory reset, will I need to reenter my serial? Because if I do, I doubt it will work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro, Mac OS X Mavericks (Hackintosh), Ubuntu 14.04
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom (Mostly Asus)
    CPU
    Intel i7 - 4 Core 8 Thread 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V LK
    Memory
    16GB RipJaw
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia ASUS GTX770
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23.5"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB (Windows 8.1 Pro)
    500GB (Mac OS X Mavericks Hackintosh)
    80GB (Ubuntu 14.04)
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG 2014 Business Edition
I can't say whether it will work or not. However, I have one system that had an upgrade version of Win 8 installed on it (the Win 7 was an OEM version). The motherboard died and I couldn't get the exact replacement and I installed a different brand. When I booted up I got a message that the product key was invalid (most likely caused by the different hardware). I had to contact Microsoft and get the new key installed (I did it on line and the tech did what was needed). I posted a question here about the Windows 8 product key I had and if it changed because Microsoft had to reactivate Win 8. I was told my original product key was still valid.

If you install, you don't need to install Win 7 first, on an upgrade version of Win 8. You can do a clean install of Win 8 and use the procedure listed on this forum to activate it. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13375-clean-install-windows-8-upgrade.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
So what I am wondering is if I factory reset, will I need to reenter my serial? Because if I do, I doubt it will work.

As you have a Windows 8 upgrade, you have NO factory reset.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Good point on the "factory reset", theog.

But, if the user has a legal copy of Win 8 they can do a "clean install" using the procedure I linked him to (if its an upgrade copy) or just install if its not an upgrade copy. A "clean install" means reformatting the hard drive, reinstalling windows, all drivers, and all applications software.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
So what I am wondering is if I factory reset, will I need to reenter my serial? Because if I do, I doubt it will work.

As you have a Windows 8 upgrade, you have NO factory reset.
Are you sure? Because it seems to be in my settings anyway
Screenshot (1).png
But aside from that, If I press that shiny button, and my PC reboots, will it prompt me to enter in my serial?

P.S. Sorry for the confusion, just curious to see if it asks.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro, Mac OS X Mavericks (Hackintosh), Ubuntu 14.04
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom (Mostly Asus)
    CPU
    Intel i7 - 4 Core 8 Thread 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V LK
    Memory
    16GB RipJaw
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia ASUS GTX770
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23.5"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB (Windows 8.1 Pro)
    500GB (Mac OS X Mavericks Hackintosh)
    80GB (Ubuntu 14.04)
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG 2014 Business Edition
That is a "stock" option listing. If you want to reinstall, you will have to reinstall Windows 8 only. If you have an upgrade version of Windows 8, use the procedure I linked you to. If you have a full version of Windows 8, again as I noted, do a full "clean" install which includes reformatting the hard drive and install Windows 8, any needed drivers and any applications software you want to install.

You use your original Windows 8 product key (this all assumes you have a legal copy, whether upgrade or full version).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
To use Refresh, reinstall, reset, you need the upgrade disc in the USB/DVD drive. To do a factory reset, you would need a factory Recovery Partition.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Alright, thanks guys for the help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro, Mac OS X Mavericks (Hackintosh), Ubuntu 14.04
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom (Mostly Asus)
    CPU
    Intel i7 - 4 Core 8 Thread 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V LK
    Memory
    16GB RipJaw
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia ASUS GTX770
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23.5"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB (Windows 8.1 Pro)
    500GB (Mac OS X Mavericks Hackintosh)
    80GB (Ubuntu 14.04)
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG 2014 Business Edition
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