Windows 8.1 install problem

Choimaloy75 · 12 Mar 2014 at 00:05

I've just installed a new gigabyte z87oc and 4770k and did a full format of my hard drive as I was changing from amd well the problem is when I installed w8 again I had to activate it so did so by telephone.the problem is it won't install 8.1 what I had before,it's saying activation key is wrong,can someone help.

MagicBoy · 12 Mar 2014 at 00:08

Is it an upgrade version?

jh30uk · 12 Mar 2014 at 00:32

You install 8.1 using a generic key then swap to your key to activate.

Your legit Win 8 key will not install 8.1.

Choimaloy75 · 12 Mar 2014 at 06:45

It's windows 8 pro which I got 24.99 ages ago,when I first installed it I got to upgrade to 8.1 no problems when 8.1 came available and I don't think I got a key when I updated online when it was released.

MagicBoy · 12 Mar 2014 at 07:55

Whats the error code?

Officially you can't activate the upgrade version if you clean installed it. A previous qualifying version of Windows must be installed before you upgrade to Windows 8.

jh30uk · 12 Mar 2014 at 09:36

As I said, you install 8.1 (if this is a 8.1 ISO not 8.0) with a generic key then one installed use your own Win 8 key to activate.

If you are installing Win 8 then updating is should work as before.

KIA · 12 Mar 2014 at 09:45

8

Core: FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3
Pro: XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH
Pro WMC: RR3BN-3YY9P-9D7FC-7J4YF-QGJXW

8.1

Core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

Choimaloy75 · 12 Mar 2014 at 11:31

jh30uk said:
As I said, you install 8.1 (if this is a 8.1 ISO not 8.0) with a generic key then one installed use your own Win 8 key to activate.

If you are installing Win 8 then updating is should work as before.

Yeah it's windows 8 pro I have the ISO and installed it and activated it over phone,then I try to install 8.1 over internet it asks for a key?

Choimaloy75 · 12 Mar 2014 at 13:05

So how do I go about getting 8.1 on my pc again?

MagicBoy · 12 Mar 2014 at 13:06

Officially? Install your qualifying product for the upgrade, then Install Windows 8, then update to 8.1.

jh30uk · 12 Mar 2014 at 13:13

IMO!

1) Grab a 8.1 .ISO (you can find them if you look) but not TPB FGS, msg me if you want a legit source.

2) Install with above key, it will not be activated till you swap to your legit Win 8 key.

Choimaloy75 · 12 Mar 2014 at 13:29

MagicBoy said:
Officially? Install your qualifying product for the upgrade, then Install Windows 8, then update to 8.1.

So you mean put windows 7 on then windows 8?

Choimaloy75 · 12 Mar 2014 at 13:54

So my windows 8 is just an upgrade for windows seven

PapaLazaru · 12 Mar 2014 at 14:17

Choimaloy75 said:
So my windows 8 is just an upgrade for windows seven

Officially yes, but no not really.

You can clean install Win8 on your PC, have a look here - http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/a/clean-install-windows-8-upgrade.htm

Pretty easy to follow and has worked for me twice. It formats the hard drive before installing so in no way can know it is 'upgrading' from Win7.

MagicBoy · 12 Mar 2014 at 14:49

Choimaloy75 said:
So you mean put windows 7 on then windows 8?

Yes.

I had a similar problem with a Windows 7 upgrade for a family member. Installed fine as clean but subsequently refused to activate with a cryptic error code. After tracking the error down the fix was to install XP and activate it, then install Windows 7 (which nuked the old installation) and it was all fine. The old 2000/XP method of clean installing and providing the media for the qualifying upgrade doesn't work.

It's a backwards way of doing it but deters casual piracy.

PapaLazaru said:
It formats the hard drive before installing so in no way can know it is 'upgrading' from Win7.

Same with XP to 7/8. Obviously passes some check hidden in the installer.

Choimaloy75 · 12 Mar 2014 at 16:45

It's all sorted,don't need windows 7,used windows 8 on install full format clearing all partitions then when installed I downloaded all the updates then went into the store app and downloaded 8.1 from there and it's all installed.
Thanks to papalazaru