Windows 8.1 recovery refresh

Associate
Joined
6 Jan 2011
Posts
893
Location
Stoke on Trent
Hi, I want to do a refresh or clean install, but as windows 8.1 is an update, i cant download anything from microsoft as my key only relates to windows 8 and is not recognised. When they did the online upgrade, they i guess did not include recovery or ISO.
Is their a workaround ? Cant get hold of microsoft,it keeps directing me to tech support, but no one answers.
Maybe i might give up on windows 8.1, and use my disk for windows 7 and go back to that, Would the product key still work, as i guess upgrading has given me a different product key that has overwritten it for windows 8.

The issue i have is a file that keeps crashing iracing "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\nvd3dumx.dll" I had the problem on windows 8, windows 8.1 has not fixed it.
I can keep changing my cards over , and re installing drivers but it still keeps coming back.
Wondering if the registery is corrupt as it says "may contain false entries" perhaps from moving from W7 to 8.

Another question as its a DLL file issue, would an AMD card get around it ? since i dont believe they use the same files ?

Thanks in advance
 
Best way to do a clean install is grab an ISO of Win8.1 or 8.1 with update 1 online(use MD5 etc to check ISO) then do this,

The Windows 8.1 installer from the ISO does not accept Windows 8 keys. You need to install the system with a generic key (334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT for Core, XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB for Professional) and then enter your Windows 8 key after installing.


Basically you use one of the above keys(depending if you have 8.1 or 8.1 Pro activation key) just for installation only then use your Win8 key for activation after complete install.


Sounds like a Nvidia driver issue,best thing is try a clean install and get latest official drivers from Nvidia and see how it goes.

Useful link http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/33164-how-download-windows-8-1-iso.html

Here also for ISO http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/53855-Windows-8-1-with-Update-ESDs-Repository
 
Last edited:
Thanks, Yeah its a driver issue, But i was thinking are those files actually windows files, part of the OS, What nvidia drivers do is read them use their resources if that makes any sense, in my thinking ?

"(use MD5 etc to check ISO) Not sure sorry what that means ?
 
Thanks, Yeah its a driver issue, But i was thinking are those files actually windows files, part of the OS, What nvidia drivers do is read them use their resources if that makes any sense, in my thinking ?

"(use MD5 etc to check ISO) Not sure sorry what that means ?


It verifies the download has not changed etc,a lot of download links have a MD5 or SHA key number for the download in question for checking later.



Why should I use Md5Checker?

To verify the integrity of downloaded files: With Md5Checker, user can calculate MD5 checksum of downloaded files and compare them with provided when downloading via HTTP, FTP, P2P, etc.

To detect unknown viruses: Only-for-existing-viruses DB based anti-virus programs can rarely detect all emerged new (i.e. not in the DB) viruses in time. As a supplement, Md5Checker checks whether files are original. By that user can detect any change of file including virus infection.


To make sure that the installation files are secure: System will be re-infected by viruses time and again while reinstalling software if the installation file had been infected. To avoid this, Md5Checker user can calculate and save the MD5 checksum right after downloaded/copied installation files, i.e. make sure these files are original (This step can be skipped if there are MD5 checksum downloaded/copied along with these files), and verify these files again upon using them.

MD5-Checker_2.png



http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/File-Management/MD5-Checker.shtml

http://download.cnet.com/MD5-SHA-Checksum-Utility/3000-2092_4-10911445.html


As to the cause of crashing ,best to start with clean install,could be other things like overclocking,faulty card but you have tried other cards right?..Also make sure PSU is up to the job for gaming at a stable level,basically you have to rule them out one at a time,I would also run memory test as well basically leave no stone unturned as they say.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the record i have done memetest86 i think its called,Intel burn test,prime95, all come back with no errors. running 4.5ghz 2700k on a z77MB
was 680 SLI, both check out on card tests like afterburner, as for PSU i am running one at a time, taking one out, So there is less stress on the 750 watt anatec 3 yr old PSU.
It runs more demanding games like BF4 on SLI no problem.
As you say, Working my way through, its only this one game , and this one file.
Unfortunately , its the main game and purpose for the rig lol.
 
No joy with that work around, it just gives me that windows 8.1 box and asks me for the key again, and again.
When i use the generic version key above on this thread, it says iv have not got an internet connection, and to try later.
I guess the only solution is to go back to windows 7 with my disk, then upgrade to 8, then 8.1 and get an iso at the same time
 
1) Download Windows 8.1 Update 1 ISO.
2) The ISO comes straight from Microsoft. Compare the SHA-1 file hash to verify authenticity.
Windows 8.1 with Update (multiple editions) (x64) - DVD (English-United Kingdom)
File Name: en-gb_windows_8.1_with_update_x64_dvd_4048142.iso
Languages: English
SHA1: 1F18420D65956DFE56E2359DA71AB6C363146570

You can use HashTab to calculate the SHA-1 hash of the file.

4) Install using one of the place holder keys:

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

4) Activate Windows 8 using your own key after the installation has finished.
 
Thanks guys, Iv managed to get the download now, Have put it onto a flash drive to boot from, though i dont know if it will work as a clean install, as im trying to avoid that for now, it wont let me refresh, the other options come up, however it wont accept the flash drive as valid, I dont have a working DVD rom.

Im wondering if its because the UEFI bios wont accept anything but fat 32. Iv used windows USB/DVD tool, which formats it to normal so, i have to remove everything, and re format back to FAT32, then put the files back on.
Perhaps something in that is why it wont let me use it for repair ?
 
Thanks guys, Iv managed to get the download now, Have put it onto a flash drive to boot from, though i dont know if it will work as a clean install, as im trying to avoid that for now, it wont let me refresh, the other options come up, however it wont accept the flash drive as valid, I dont have a working DVD rom.

Im wondering if its because the UEFI bios wont accept anything but fat 32. Iv used windows USB/DVD tool, which formats it to normal so, i have to remove everything, and re format back to FAT32, then put the files back on.
Perhaps something in that is why it wont let me use it for repair ?

There is a guide here http://forum.notebookreview.com/windows-os-software/735517-how-install-windows-8-1-clean-your-windows-8-upgrade-key.html
 
Thanks guys, Iv managed to get the download now, Have put it onto a flash drive to boot from, though i dont know if it will work as a clean install, as im trying to avoid that for now, it wont let me refresh, the other options come up, however it wont accept the flash drive as valid, I dont have a working DVD rom.

See post #7 if you want to clean install.

Do you see any option to refresh?

Detailed information would be nice along with photos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHDf0h-PzH4
 
"Do you see any option to refresh? "

Yeah it was there with all the other settings and options, it just would not let me, if i remember right it said i would need to install media or something to that effect.
Anyway it would not have it so i gave up, am gona try again tonight, but iv got to download it all again, something has gone wrong with the ISO and windows dvd tool freezes half way through
 
"Do you see any option to refresh? "

Yeah it was there with all the other settings and options, it just would not let me, if i remember right it said i would need to install media or something to that effect.
Anyway it would not have it so i gave up, am gona try again tonight, but iv got to download it all again, something has gone wrong with the ISO and windows dvd tool freezes half way through



I had to use 8GB USB drive for my USB Win8.1x64 ISO,4GB was not big enough.
 
"Do you see any option to refresh? "

Yeah it was there with all the other settings and options, it just would not let me, if i remember right it said i would need to install media or something to that effect.
Anyway it would not have it so i gave up, am gona try again tonight, but iv got to download it all again, something has gone wrong with the ISO and windows dvd tool freezes half way through

The full error message would be handy to have.
 
Back
Top Bottom