Win 8 pc reinstall question

koolpc

koolpc

koolpc

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My mate has a PC with windows 8 on it that was pre-installed. Now, problem is that he cant get on the PC as it shows a black screen with writing on so OS needs re-installing.

Obviously there is no Product Key sticker on the case!

How can we re-install the OS as he didnt have any recovery media with it.

I do have a Windows 8 pro 64 DVD. Can i use that? What about the product key?

Any help would be appreciated. Ta
 
Glaucus said:
The key is in the bios. Which win8 will auto read.
What are the instructions for recovery from the manufacturer, is there a HDD partition with the back up stuff.

I would expect it used a different serial code to your copy.
Click to expand...

That what i was worried about. Mate should have made a recovery disc when he had the pc but didnt. Cant access hard drive now at all.

Any way around it or does it mean buying win 8 again?
 
Its a shame it is like this with win 8 as not everyone does a recovery. I know they should.
 
KIA said:
Easy.

1) Grab the latest version of 8.1: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B3c2hcaO4GgWbXB4Q0g5YkhHUVE&usp=sharing
2) Create a bootable USB key: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool
3) Boot from key and provide one of the placeholder keys (see first link)
4) Use RWEverything to extract the embedded key: http://www.nextofwindows.com/how-to-retrieve-windows-8-oem-product-key-from-bios/
5) Activate
Click to expand...

Fantastic!

Just did the above but didnt need to use the keys provided and 8.1 installed like a dream and activated on my new SSD! Many thanks
 
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