African windows 8.1 key SOLVED!

[wavey]

@ohio_grad_06 With the new 1tb HDD the laptop is running fine, the problem was his key code not working with W8.1 HP. It needed W8 Single Language edition, that's all good now.
We can recover his ext HDD, no encryption, but he doesn't want to buy a replacement, he just wants a few folders saving which will be no problem when he tells us which ones he wants!

BTW is this a record 32,000+ pending bad sectors?

 

[Markverhyden]

@ohio_grad_06 With the new 1tb HDD the laptop is running fine, the problem was his key code not working with W8.1 HP. It needed W8 Single Language edition, that's all good now.
We can recover his ext HDD, no encryption, but he doesn't want to buy a replacement, he just wants a few folders saving which will be no problem when he tells us which ones he wants!

BTW is this a record 32,000+ pending bad sectors?

I've seen where the HD is fine and the USB2SATA bridge is the problem.

 

[wavey]

@markverhyden Yeah, we took the drive out of the housing, same result.

 

[sapphirescales]

If you have a Windows 8.1 ISO and are trying to use an 8.0 key, it won't work. You need to use an 8.0 ISO and then UPGRADE it to 8.1. It's pretty ridiculous, I know. But that's unfortunately the way that Microsoft wants to play it.

 

[freedomit]

If you have a Windows 8.1 ISO and are trying to use an 8.0 key, it won't work. You need to use an 8.0 ISO and then UPGRADE it to 8.1. It's pretty ridiculous, I know. But that's unfortunately the way that Microsoft wants to play it.

I don't think this comment is valid anymore, i'm pretty sure you can now use a 8.1 disk with an 8 key as Microsoft relaxed the rules

 

[nlinecomputers]

Yep. You need a newer ISO.

 

[sapphirescales]

I don't think this comment is valid anymore, i'm pretty sure you can now use a 8.1 disk with an 8 key as Microsoft relaxed the rules

It was less than 2 months ago that I talked with Microsoft about this directly. I expressed my disbelief that they were treating the SAME OS as two separate OS's with different keys. Unfortunately their response was pretty much "too bad, so sad. Like it or lump it. You need to use an 8.0 ISO and then upgrade it to 8.1 via Windows Update."

 

[NJW]

You need to use an 8.0 ISO and then upgrade it to 8.1 via Windows Update."

Well, next time you're talking to them, tell them from me that it's not true. You can install from a Win8.1 iso and activate it with the BIOS key issued for Win8 RTM.

I'm speaking of BIOS keys, mind – not keys supplied with a retail or OEM install disc.

 

[wavey]

I don't believe it! I've got another Windows 8 Single Language Edition laptop in the shop.

They seem to be like bus's, you never see one and then 2 turn up.

 

[NJW]

I don't believe it! I've got another Windows 8 Single Language Edition laptop in the shop.

Good! I had another thought after you had resolved the previous one.

If you get to the N&P stage, what happens if you try to install from a full W8.1 iso, using the generic Single Language key, then change to the embedded key?

 

[nlinecomputers]

Good! I had another thought after you had resolved the previous one.

If you get to the N&P stage, what happens if you try to install from a full W8.1 iso, using the generic Single Language key, then change to the embedded key?

It doesn't work. It's what prompted this thread to begin with.

 

[NJW]

It doesn't work. It's what prompted this thread to begin with.

I don't think the OP was aware that it was Single Language at that stage, so he used the core generic key.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I don't think the OP was aware that it was Single Language at that stage, so he used the core generic key.

Yes and when it tried to use the embedded key it failed. If you use the wrong ISO it will not activate no matter what you do. Single Language or N versions exclude software that ships on the full normal versions of Windows. Because the activation process has no way to remove or bypass the forbidden files all it can do is fail to activate. If he had used the correct ISO from the beginning it would have pulled the key from the bios and worked without needing any generic key.

 

[wavey]

@nlinecomputers is correct, you must have the correct key for whichever edition you have.

 

[NJW]

Sorry for the noise, you're both right, of course. As already mentioned, you can download a Single Language .iso anyway.

 

[sapphirescales]

Well, next time you're talking to them, tell them from me that it's not true. You can install from a Win8.1 iso and activate it with the BIOS key issued for Win8 RTM.

I'm speaking of BIOS keys, mind – not keys supplied with a retail or OEM install disc.

It doesn't happen every time. It's really weird. So far I've had a Dell laptop, HP laptop and two Surface Pro's refuse to accept an 8.0 key with an 8.1 ISO (all recovered from the BIOS). I have no explanation. That's why I called Microsoft. Total BS.

 

[wavey]

It doesn't happen every time. It's really weird. So far I've had a Dell laptop, HP laptop and two Surface Pro's refuse to accept an 8.0 key with an 8.1 ISO (all recovered from the BIOS). I have no explanation. That's why I called Microsoft. Total BS.

Did you download the latest 8.1 ISO from MS?