OS laptops with preinstalled win8

buzzer

buzzer

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I have a laptop which came with win8 preintalled.

normally if i format using the recovery option, the laptop doesnt need an activation key, activates itself when it goes online. ( as i believe this is how its done now)

My hardrive has failed and i cannot get into the recovery menu.
i'm not for paying silly money for recovery disks so it looks like i will have to "source" my own copy of win 8 or 8.1 and recover from than.

my question is , will the laptop activate itself as before?

there is no key with the laptop but seems a shame to use an activator when it its licensed for a genuine copy..

can i use the laptop seriel number somehow to get it activated properly?

or is there another way that i'm missing?

tia.. :)
 
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This is one of the reasons that the key is built into the BIOS/UEFI, rather than on a sticker on the base.

So, as long as you grab the same version (Pro for example), it should activate both the 64bit and 32bit editions.
 
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what a total nightmare..

installed win8 and the lappy activated but wanted to do updates before it would allow me to upgrade to win 8.1!!!!

so after:
2 o/s instals
24 device drivers/manufacturer updates
99 important microsoft updates (which it was very fussy about)
2 optional update
hours of head scratching trying to remember everyone's microsoft account emails and passwords

i now have an approximation of a usuable device... :)

definately going to start backing up hardrives..

15 minutes re-imaging a drive sounds soo much more appealing....
 
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I'm sick of trying to install 8.1 always stalls at 82% and reading inetnet I'm not the only one. As for updates I've had more than Microsoft I think
 
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seanicca said:
I'm sick of trying to install 8.1 always stalls at 82% and reading inetnet I'm not the only one. As for updates I've had more than Microsoft I think
Click to expand...

mines failed the first couple of times.

i am wondering if the lappy would have activated if i'd used a win 8.1 disk instead of starting with win 8..
 
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Welcome to my world that is how they usually bring them to me to fix, I normally get comfortable and put a good film on while it performs all it endeavors. LOL

Oh and a few Beers on the side :D
 
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Him Her said:
If you have a legit system just 'phone Microsoft to activate? Always worked real fast for me.
Click to expand...


its not the activation that's the problem , they activate themselves..

its the updates and shit.. nightmare..
@seanicca back up your drive now its working.

that's my next move.. maybe tomorrow lol
 
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buzzer said:
its not the activation that's the problem , they activate themselves..

its the updates and shit.. nightmare..
@seanicca back up your drive now its working.

that's my next move.. maybe tomorrow lol
Click to expand...
Don't normally but after this I think I'll be backing up tomorrow
 
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I had the same issue when i changed hard drive to SSD I went to local computer shop and was told the code for your activation is in the bios and for it to work you have to put on the version that was pre install in my case it was version 8, so I had to install that then it activated after that I could upgrade to 8.1 windows, hope that help.

Sent from my SM-T310 using Tapatalk
 
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Can't all the updates be slipstreamed in to the version you need? I know this was possible with win7
 
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banny32 said:
Dont forget you have the option of downgrading to windows 7, using your windows 8 key/licence.
Click to expand...

This only applies to enterprise licenses.

You could always use standard (i.e. non-OEM) media from digital river and use an activator like DAZ loader. But you will need to find and install all the drivers, updates, utilities, etc.
 
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oneman said:
This only applies to enterprise licenses.

You could always use standard (i.e. non-OEM) media from digital river and use an activator like DAZ loader. But you will need to find and install all the drivers, updates, utilities, etc.
Click to expand...

I was doubting myself then, although I was pretty sure here check for yourself mate -
Code: 
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Code: 
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banny32 said:
I was doubting myself then, although I was pretty sure here check for yourself mate -
Code: 
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Code: 
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Click to expand...

Sorry, what I meant by enterprise is that you need the business version of Windows 8 license which is Win8 Pro or Enterprise. You can't do it with standard edition which is what most consumer devices are supplied with.
 
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