Windows 8.1 recovery refresh

Yes, Thanks for getting back, iv just given it a go , And it says "insert your windows installation or recovery media to continue" thats when i get to the refresh your PC option and click to do so.
Which is strange since its reading it from the burnt image of windows 8.1 on the flash drive in the first place.

Side issue, but now the new AMD card i have installed is having BSOD when watching youtube and turning side monitors on and off.
Thinking of going back to windows 7 from my retail disk and having done, such is the issues I now having frustration with.
 
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KIA said:
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
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Save me opening a new thread is anyone able to answer this for me?

My mate bought windows 8 direct from Microsoft and he's offered it to me. Would it be tied to the email address he used to buy it?

I also want to do a clean install of windows 8.1, could I do that with a place holder key then use my mates W8 key to activate it?
 
I used Rufus to created a Windows 8.1 Update 1 bootable flash drive from the downloaded ISO.

Can't remember if I disabled Fast boot in BIOS to install from USB.
 
Just to let you know where im at with this issue. I have had to roll back to windows 7 with my disk. I spent 5 hours with a tech last friday night, trying to get my key to work, but they have n ow blocked it, it took the women all that time to get the activation screen where you put in all those codes up, for it to decline, and say i may have been a victim of fraud, yet i have receipts and CC transactions for 3 windows 8 upgrades from 7, and iv been using them all for a year plus now.
They dont give her new keys, The free phone number on the activation page, just makes you go around in circles with no person to task to, and the premium number she gave me also just sends you to this automated system.
So i have no way of contacting microsoft to resolve this and i guess since there is no way to get to a human that can properly look into it, cant get my money back or have windows 8 or 8.1
Next time they offer upgrades i will just forget it. Since it will only last until you have to do a refresh. It seems pretty silly that you can make a recovery image, disk ect of windows that it boots from, and then it wont refresh cause that very image, will tell you to insert recovery, leave you to do a full re install and then not accept your keys on full activation.
I guess it might have something to do with perhaps being an upgrade key, not a full W8 key but that seems lost on microsoft technicians who dont have anyway of resolving it.
anyway in frustration just thought ild let you know where i was at.
 
Did you buy the Windows 8 digital upgrade from Microsoft website when they had the pre-order promotional price? Or from a reputable retailer (not including 3rd party sellers using market place style)?

If it's a legit key it is possible to use Windows 8.1 or 8.1 with Update 1 media and delete all partitions (don't manually make new one) on hard drive and do a clean install using a place holder key mentioned previously. Then once at Windows desktop change product key to your Windows 8.0 key and on-line activate. You might be required to use a automated free phone number to get an activation code.

To change product key right click on the Windows logo start logo in bottom right and click System. At the bottom right you will see Change product key. Can either type it or copy it from e-mail.

Edit: You can continue using Windows with place holder key for a while. So can check if that sorts out your original nvd3dumx.dll crash problem.
 
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Sigh Yep i used that one, once you follow the options and press the number for having a problem for setting up your windows, it transfers you to the automated activation system, so new human, and just a case of putting the same numbers in to be told that you may be a victim of fraud, that the code is incorrect or something to that effect last time i tried on friday.

Yes bane it does look like you could use that for a while, under my W& disks it countsdown i think 7 days to activate ect, but this does not on W8, But ~TBH i just wanted top get the whole thing dune and dusted, starting to add all the apps and software that you use day to day is tiresome, especially if you find that you have to keep doing it, and it was annoying me , that model number of the build at the bottom of screen lol.
As we speak, my daughters has just now given up the ghost and cant repair itself, looks like ill just cut the chase and re install W7 and save 3 days of ponsing about for nothing

Sorry forgot to add, that yes i downloaded w8 from the windows store, on that £25 offer about a year go, Somewhere in my outlook saved folder will be the receipts and about a year down the line somewhere i will also have a record on my debit card statement, i have also got the activation keys that microsoft sent me for the media center as proof, as they no doubt would not have sent me those add on codes if the numbers where fake. Which by the way still work when i was adding all the bits onto 8.1 before having to give up
 
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At least by obtaining them from Microsoft you should be able to get it sorted, eventually.

I logged in to the store page from Microsoft.com and on the right hand side is a grey box with links to Profile, order history, etc. Can click on order history or "Downloads, product keys, and subscription" and see if product code is listed. Or message below if bought pre September 2012.

If you made a purchase before Sep 18, 2012, you may not be seeing your order history or product keys due to recent site changes. If you need to return a product, re-download your software, or access your product keys, please contact us and one of our agents will be happy to help.
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Contact us
Microsoft Store Hours of Operation:
08:00-20:00 (GMT), Monday - Friday + 09:00-18:00 (GMT), Saturday

Microsoft Store Sales and Customer Support.
One of our representatives can process the order over the phone for you:
0800 026 0329

Worth giving the free phone number a go,. Up to you if want to mention previous tech support call put a block on key as potentially fake. But before doing that you have checked you installed and used correct place holder key for Windows key you have, e.g. Pro or non-Pro (core)?
 
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