Help! Lappy with win8 key in bios, will that stop me installing win 8/.1 with different key?

UOcUK Poopscoop · 9 Dec 2015 at 21:57

Long story involving a secondhand laptop I just bought.

Has a key in the bios (which I can see with a utility) but has a HP OEM version of Windows installed which is being problematic (cant bypass the Admin password after hours of trying for a start).... also cant see the key for it, although its authenticated. Cant reinstall Windows as no media came with it.

Anyway, if I buy an OEM 8 disk/ key will it install onto the lappy even though the key in the bios is obviously different.

Thanks SO much for info!

lude1962 · 9 Dec 2015 at 22:06

check the documentation on hp website for your model, it may have a restore partition (possibly F11 at boot)

UOcUK Poopscoop · 9 Dec 2015 at 22:14

Ah.... there in lies another mystery..... its an MSI model lappy! lol

Past owner put an HP install on, even though there is a perfectly valid Win 8 key in the bios. No restore partition from the look of it either.

I guess if I could find out exactly what version that key relates to, I could get MS to supply me with it?

However..... Im just inclined to buy an OEM Win 8 and install it as long as the bios key (which wont match) doesnt mess it up?

Thanks for help!

Akagi · 9 Dec 2015 at 22:21

I think you should be able to install Windows 8 without the code, activate with the bios code (or use software to get the key and then enter it) and then upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

Will save you your £80 or whatever it is.

UOcUK Poopscoop · 9 Dec 2015 at 22:23

I have a genuine Win 8 DVD sat here from my tower install. So... I might be able to use that but activate it with the key I have got from the bios?

Cheers for info!

Orcvader · 9 Dec 2015 at 22:28

Any Windows 8/8.1/10 ISO will activate with the key in the BIOS just fine. You do not need a specific OEM ISO. If you install 8.1 follow this guide to activate it with the 8 key.