How the heck do I reload this thing?

[thecomputerguy]

Customer brings in an ACER ultrabook non-booting with two 128GB Kingston memory chips in RAID 0 to bring it to 250GB of total capacity.

Laptop originally came with Windows 8, it has a Windows 8 sticker, it's been upgraded to 10. At this point the laptop needs to be nuked, how do you handle the CD-Key/Installation media issue?

I have an OEM Windows 8 CD from when I upgraded my computer to W8 but I've used it before and I end up just using my own product key in the laptop because I can't figure out the key problem.

I have an OEM W10 disk but again ... the key?

 

[nlinecomputers]

Just install it. It will activate. Win 10 has been out for 6 months now. Doesn't every tech know how it is is activated by now?

 

[Markverhyden]

OEM keys are embedded in BIOS.

 

[nlinecomputers]

To clarify, when it asks you for the key. Hit skip. Once you are fully installed and can see the internet it will automatically activate. One because it can read the embedded bios key that Windows 8 has, which is valid for the upgrade, and it has been previously upgraded. And TWO because ALL previously upgraded to Windows 10 machines can be installed without a key. The hardware hash is on file and Windows will retrieve the key again once online.

 

[Ktex]

Not my instructions, but this should help for a clean install. Windows 7 must be validated, don't know about win 8/8.1, do this BEFORE doing the installation (1. to 2.2). I copied gatherosstate to desktop, generated output was copied to USB drive and after rebooting the ticket SHOULD dissapear from pasted location. Your machine was previously upgraded so try the .exe right away.

1. Validate your w7 SP1 (W8.1) online, best using IE.

2. Generate a genuine ticket of your installation by:

2.1 Copy gatherosstate.exe from your downloaded Windows 10 10240 ISO to your installation which should be upgraded.

2.2 Run it on your activated and validated Windows. It'll output GenuineTicket.xml. Save this on a USB thumb drive or something.

2.3 Then do a fresh install with your suitable w10 ISO, skip to enter key at setup procedure.

2.4 Once it's installed make sure your internet connection is DISABLED/do not enable the internet connection! Reboot w10.

2.5. Copy GenuineTicket.xml to C:\programdata\microsoft\windows\clipsvc\genuineticket\ of your w10 installation and reboot again.

2.6. Connect online, it should activate.

 

[nlinecomputers]

There is a newer ISO your instructions are out of date.

 

[Ktex]

Thanks for the heads up. I only have the june version.

 

[nlinecomputers]

You need to get the November update. Version 1511
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

Microsoft will issue new ISO about every 6 months. You should grab them when they come out.

 

[Ktex]

Thank you, It's been slightly over half a year and I am already outdated? Gotta love Microsoft.
Anyway, in case OP still needs help, RWeverything is what I use for getting those pesky keys from win 8/8.1. Click on ACHPI(sp?) tab then MSDM tab. Get it here: http://rweverything.com/download/

 

[nlinecomputers]

Beats downloading 100s of updates. Microsoft is slipstreaming the ISO for you. It's a good thing.

 

[thecomputerguy]

errr merrr gerrddd I'm a noob ... sorry hate reloading these things

 

[HFultzjr]

As already noted:
Wipe old OS
Re-install newest version Win 10.
Doesn't even ask for a key on the ones I've done.
Activates just fine.

 

[kwisher]

If you wish to install to the Raid-0 it might require a driver to be loaded during the install to recognize the Raid. You might want to visit the mfg's website and d/l the driver in advance and have it ready on a USB drive.

 

[Knightsman]

Just install it. It will activate. Win 10 has been out for 6 months now. Doesn't every tech know how it is is activated by now?

wtf... apparently not if he is asking. Why do you have to be so condescending?