Very basic question here... Can I format a partition with win 8 on it now and put win 8.1 on it?

I'm just going to put windows 10 on it. I don't know what to do. nothing is working with trying to work with windows 8. I must be doing something wrong because I'm getting a forced prompt for these keys.

The link that was provided above says this....


Warning
  • Don't format your hard drive before installing Windows. Your current version of Windows must be running when you begin installing Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.
Unless I can get it to run in safe mode, I can't do anything.
 
nlinecomputers said:
Are you trying to run this from windows or are you BOOTING with your USB? You need to nuke and pave.
Click to expand...

I'm just trying to download it and I'm getting this prompt for a key with one thing from M$. With the media creation tool it is telling me that it can't prepare it after I waited for so long for it to download. Says there isn't enough space, and there is PLENTY... I have over 100 GB on my external drive.

I'm trying to put win 10 on it now. Having issues with the GPT scheme on their computer. so I'm redoing the thumb drive with GPT partition scheme for UEFI hoping that it will boot UEFI. Before it was only booting in legacy mode even though I was using a MBR scheme with both with rufus.

Of the several hundred computers I have done since starting, I have never encountered a case that has been this annoying. I feel like I am hitting a dead end everywhere.
 
lazerorca said:
I'm just trying to download it and I'm getting this prompt for a key with one thing from M$. With the media creation tool it is telling me that it can't prepare it after I waited for so long for it to download. Says there isn't enough space, and there is PLENTY... I have over 100 GB on my external drive.

I'm trying to put win 10 on it now. Having issues with the GPT scheme on their computer. so I'm redoing the thumb drive with GPT partition scheme for UEFI hoping that it will boot UEFI. Before it was only booting in legacy mode even though I was using a MBR scheme with both with rufus.

Of the several hundred computers I have done since starting, I have never encountered a case that has been this annoying. I feel like I am hitting a dead end everywhere.
Click to expand...

The media download/installer tool can be very cranky and the reasons for failure are not readily evident.
 
It is an exe file. It should fit on your external drive with out issue. If you're running the file and then pointing to your external drive as the destination then it is trying to convert your external drive into a giant flash drive. You need a thumb drive to boot with.
 
lazerorca said:
well I thought it was all over, but now windows 10 is not activated and it is throwing an error ::sigh::
Click to expand...

Well, I think it's time to step back and talk to the customer. Sounds like there is a problem with the motherboard, etc. And, unless it's under warranty, could be expensive to repair.
 
markverhyden said:
Well, I think it's time to step back and talk to the customer. Sounds like there is a problem with the motherboard, etc. And, unless it's under warranty, could be expensive to repair.
Click to expand...

everything appears to be running just fine with the exception of it not being activated. I keep waiting for it to call home, but I keep getting an error saying that the key is invalid
 
lazerorca said:
everything appears to be running just fine with the exception of it not being activated. I keep waiting for it to call home, but I keep getting an error saying that the key is invalid
Click to expand...

So, when you try to activate you get a invalid key message? Download and install RWeverything. It will pull the OEM key from BIOS. FYI, I just went to the downloads page and it's being reported as unwanted software by FF but should be safe.

1. Have you verified that the machine came with W8? Go to partsurfer.hp.com, plug in the serial number of the machine. It should pull up the BOM which will give you which version OS it shipped with.
2. Ask the customer if the machine has been serviced, especially if the motherboard has been replaced. If the motherboard was replaced and the BIOS not properly updated there is no key or an old key. Even OEM serviced machines need to have the BIOS updated with a new key. This is a problem with non-OEM service as many do not have the tools to properly update the BIOS. This link is a doc from HP explaining what goes on. Each OEM key is tied to a hash of the hardware of each motherboard. This prevents OEM key harvesting.
 
At the risk of being Captian Obvious, I am going to outline the steps to install Windows 10 on a previous Windows 8 device.
1. First you must download the latest copy of Windows 10 Version 1511 using the media creation tool. Do this on your OWN PC not any PC belonging to a client. http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209
2. You Run the tool and create a USB key. You must use a flash drive for this. It cannot be an external hard drive. It must be a flash drive with at least 16 GB of space for both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Select US English and Windows 10.
3. On the target machine make sure that the BIOS is set to boot first from an external USB drive. Make sure that UEFI and Secure boot are ON.
4. Boot from the USB key. When prompted for a KEY HIT SKIP. Again when prompted for a KEY hit skip.
5. Delete all partitions.
6. Install Windows 10 fully.
7. Activate Windows (on an OEM machine you shouldn't have to input a key.) If this does not work then the motherboard is bad.
 
Ok installation went fine and registered key with Microsoft. Now bringing it back because it is not compatible with corel draw or his drivers for the engraver. I need a copy of win 8 since I've nuked his drive. Battled with the media creation tool too many times and digital river is down. Ugh......
 
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