reinstall Win 8.1

trackrat · 8 Dec 2014 at 20:32

My friend wants to buy my Acer 17" laptop.
Originally when new this came with a 256GB hard drive and Vista installed.
I changed the drive for a 500GB Seagate hybrid drive and when the windows 8 offer was on, I upgraded to Win 8, then to 8.1.

The problem I have is as it was an online install and originally Win 8. how do I do a clean install so he can have the laptop.

Orcvader · 8 Dec 2014 at 21:07

Do you still have the product key for Windows 8?

You can grab a Windows 8.1 ISO, install that with a generic product key, and then when you're in desktop activate it with the Windows 8 key via system properties.

8.1 generic key: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
8.1 Pro generic key: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

trackrat · 8 Dec 2014 at 21:25

Unfortunately I do not have the original product key.

Orcvader · 8 Dec 2014 at 21:49

Use this to find your product key: https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

My friend recently used this as he got a new SSD but didn't have his product key on him for a new install.

trackrat · 8 Dec 2014 at 22:05

I installed the media centre update and that is the key it now gives me, but that is being rejected as a valid key.

point decay · 8 Dec 2014 at 22:22

if you have the order number, you can get your key here.

https://www.mswos.com/

If you dont, You can call them

http://support2.microsoft.com/gp/esd-support-phone-numbers

live chat

https://sales.liveperson.net/hc/216...IONVAR!skill=EMEA.EN.UK.CS.CON.PRESLS.GENERAL

trackrat · 8 Dec 2014 at 22:38

Thanks for the phone number, I will give them a ring tomorrow.

point decay · 8 Dec 2014 at 22:40

trackrat said:
Thanks for the phone number, I will give them a ring tomorrow.

just edited to add the live chat link, If you have your details at hand they should be able to re-send the purchase email that had your key.

trackrat · 9 Dec 2014 at 19:45

Thanks to every one for there help, the live chat gave me a number to ring, and it is now all sorted, just 114 updates to go.

koolpc · 17 Dec 2014 at 06:56

How does one know is the laptop etc comes with either generic or pro?

point decay · 17 Dec 2014 at 09:32

should tell you on the COA (usually on the bottom or under the battery)

koolpc · 17 Dec 2014 at 17:45

When i looked at my mates laptop today after we installed win8.1 with generic key (As he had to install a new hard drive as other was toast) When we put in a keyfinder to search for original key in Bios it did not find one! Came up as not activated or similar!! Tried a couple of programs and still the same issue!!