Erm im stuck with windows 8/10 new pc problem..

seanyc5 · 11 Aug 2015 at 18:16

Hi,

Well I had just upgraded from 8.1 to 10 and two days later my mobo fails!
So ive decided to upgrade to a 6600k system.

Problem is for soom reason ive lost my windows 8 key. Ill be able to get it of my harddrive/ssd when the new mobo come with a linux usb stick (I hope, im sure its save as a .txt on there but I was sure I also emailed it myself but its not in my email.)

That aside will I have to find a win8 iso do all the updates to 8.1 then update to win10? Or is there a another way around this?

Ill be installing to a new m.2 drive with my new system so will have access to all the files on the current win10 install.

Thanks,
Sean

seanyc5 · 11 Aug 2015 at 18:45

Ive just tried again to boot the failed mobo and it has booted. Its keeps corrupting bios and 9/10 wont boot not even post. Im now on my windows 10 install and have saved the windows 8 key to a usb. Is it possible to extract the windows 10 key (ive done this before with windows 8 on a work laptop) and then just download a windows 10 iso?

Really odd situation im in here stuck in limbo with a pc half working and a new one on the way haha.

Nutella33 · 11 Aug 2015 at 18:45

I dont get how you will have your current win10 install on a new and different drive.

If you do somehow, it might be worth booting into that with your new system and then going through the phonecall activation process when it fails to activate

As far as I am aware your old win 8 key gets invalidated when you progress through the update system. Win 10 meanwhile doesnt have a key (key reveal programs just show the BETA key that will be invalidated sometime in the future/now) and is connected to your Mobo hardware ID

If I'm right and the phone call job doesn't work. I'd look to pick up a cheap 7 or 8 key somewhere and install from there.

seanyc5 · 11 Aug 2015 at 18:55

Hi,

I just used this http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-view-your-product-key-in-windows-10-windows-8-and-windows-7/ Are you saying I wont be able to install with the key it gave me?

When my new parts come wont I be able to install win8 with my key that I now have and just update from there then? Are you saying that as the win10 is tied to the mobo (thats basically dead) Ive essentially lost my free upgrade and will have to stick to win8.1? My product ID does not have OEM in it and im on win10 pro if that makes any odds.

Thanks for trying to help I realize this is rather confusing haha.

Buffalo2102 · 11 Aug 2015 at 20:52

You can install 8 using the key you now have and if it doesn't activate you can go through the phone activation. It will then offer the upgrade to 8.1 through the store. Whether it will offer you another free upgrade to 10, I don't know (yet). I'm in the same boat and have got back to 8.1 now. Not sure whether I actually want to bother with 10, even if it is available as its a right PITA to recover if you have a failure or significant upgrade.

seanyc5 · 11 Aug 2015 at 21:24

Buffalo2102 said:
You can install 8 using the key you now have and if it doesn't activate you can go through the phone activation. It will then offer the upgrade to 8.1 through the store. Whether it will offer you another free upgrade to 10, I don't know (yet). I'm in the same boat and have got back to 8.1 now. Not sure whether I actually want to bother with 10, even if it is available as its a right PITA to recover if you have a failure or significant upgrade.

Ok thanks, Im hoping it will kind of just disable the current win10 and then activate that one! Guess ill find out tomorrow.