Lawrie Gormley
asked on
How to install windows 8.1 Pro with 8.1 Core installed factory
I have a load of brand new Acer laptops running Windows 8.1 issue is these need to be added to a domain.
When I attempt to install windows 8.1 Pro on these machines it automatically picks up 8.1 Core and installs that and never asks for a installation key.
I have a feeling 8.1 Core key is stuck in the bios and updates and selects Core as soon as a new system is installed.
Please help?
When I attempt to install windows 8.1 Pro on these machines it automatically picks up 8.1 Core and installs that and never asks for a installation key.
I have a feeling 8.1 Core key is stuck in the bios and updates and selects Core as soon as a new system is installed.
Please help?
Go to Control Panel, Systems, click on the new edition link and that should take you to a Window that allows you to enter new key.
The BIOS is tied to the original install.
The BIOS is tied to the original install.
Using the steps on this website - complete the formatting of the thumb drive:
http://www.blogsolute.com/create-windows-8-usb-bootable-pendrive-uefi-boot/25988/
Then create a file named PID.txt (as described below).
http://www.blogsolute.com/windows-8-clean-installation-product-key-do-not-match/25990/
When the windows installer find PID.txt, it uses that product code and ignores the one embedded in the computers firmware.
http://www.blogsolute.com/create-windows-8-usb-bootable-pendrive-uefi-boot/25988/
Then create a file named PID.txt (as described below).
http://www.blogsolute.com/windows-8-clean-installation-product-key-do-not-match/25990/
When the windows installer find PID.txt, it uses that product code and ignores the one embedded in the computers firmware.
Google 8.1 together with ei.cfg and Edition. It will lead to a how to that shows how to manipulate setup so it will offer to install pro.
Detailed instructions are here: http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-iso/creating-a-bootable-iso-with-an-ei-cfg-and-pid-txt-file/
Easiest would be however, to write an 8.1 pro iso to a usb thumb drive (using microsoft's "usb download tool" freeware) and then right on the usb drive modify the ei.cfg.
Sorry, was on the phone yesterday and found it hard to type in details.
Easiest would be however, to write an 8.1 pro iso to a usb thumb drive (using microsoft's "usb download tool" freeware) and then right on the usb drive modify the ei.cfg.
Sorry, was on the phone yesterday and found it hard to type in details.
ASKER
So I managed to create a USB drive with an extracted install from a windows 8.1 Pro ISO image.
I created a pid.tx and a EI.cfg with the correct windows 8.1 Pro key.
When I use the USB to install I still get 8.1 Core?
Any suggestions?
L
I created a pid.tx and a EI.cfg with the correct windows 8.1 Pro key.
When I use the USB to install I still get 8.1 Core?
Any suggestions?
L
Did you try the anytime upgrade I pointed to earlier?
ASKER
Hi John,
Sure did, it gives me "This key won't work. Check and try again, or try a different key.
Sure did, it gives me "This key won't work. Check and try again, or try a different key.
Did you supply the Key from your Pro DVD? It would have been purchased. If you do it online, the upgrade has to be purchased as well. I haven't tried this with Windows 8 yet, but it should work (in terms of Keys) similarly to Windows 7.
ASKER
John,
The laptop is running 8.1 core at present, the 8.1Pro key is from a purchased full version of 8.1 Pro.
Win Pro 8.1 x64 Eng Intl 1pl
DSP OEI DVD
The laptop is running 8.1 core at present, the 8.1Pro key is from a purchased full version of 8.1 Pro.
Win Pro 8.1 x64 Eng Intl 1pl
DSP OEI DVD
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Please quote your ei.cfg and make sure the key is not mistyped in PID.txt
ASKER
[EditionID]
Professional
[Channel]
Retail
[VL]
0
And the key is bang on in the PID.txt file.
Professional
[Channel]
Retail
[VL]
0
And the key is bang on in the PID.txt file.
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ASKER
Is there an exact way to tell whether it is a retail version?
It is not from the VLC and we have separate copies for each laptop.
So looking at your last comment the only real way to do this is using the 'add features' option?
It is not from the VLC and we have separate copies for each laptop.
So looking at your last comment the only real way to do this is using the 'add features' option?
we have separate copies for each laptop <--- Are you trying to use an OEM Windows DVD to upgrade a different laptop?
Did you try purchasing an upgraded via anytime upgrade? (Microsoft Licensing Support).
Did you try purchasing an upgraded via anytime upgrade? (Microsoft Licensing Support).
ASKER
Yes a windows OEM version to upgrade a Acer laptop.
We already have pro versions in stock so don't want to pay £99 to use the anytime upgrade option.
We already have pro versions in stock so don't want to pay £99 to use the anytime upgrade option.
Add Features is probably not the most appropriate route for this, I just need to get my head around the licencing arrangements you're intending for these machines. Are you upgrading and then adding them to a existing Domain or are you creating a whole brand new domain? If you're adding them are the others on a volume licence of any kind?
If you have separate keys it sounds like you have retail DVDs but your invoicing should tell you for sure.
I'd suggest you just take one machine and create the edited installation DVD using McKnife's plan but with the VL version of the ei.cfg file
(in fact the ei file can just contain the lines:
and should still work)
As McKnife said what you're dealing with here is a bug in the way some manufacturer's preinstalls handle the OAv3.0 BIOS Key. Effectively you need to break that link, which is what this installation method does. Once that's done any other installers will ignore the BIOS key unless you reinstall Core when it will activate without asking for a Key code.
TBH in practice I've only done this with volume licences but I can't think why it wouldn't work with the Retail ei.cfg (but then we are talking about Microsoft here so try not to think logically about it) at worst the VL should install fine, break the BIOS Key link but then demand VL activation which you can't do, at that point you should be able to reinstall the Retail DVD you have and the BIOS Key issue will be gone. At best you'll get prompted on install for the Retail Activation key and you're good to go.
If you have separate keys it sounds like you have retail DVDs but your invoicing should tell you for sure.
I'd suggest you just take one machine and create the edited installation DVD using McKnife's plan but with the VL version of the ei.cfg file
(in fact the ei file can just contain the lines:
[Channel]
Volume
[VL]
1
and should still work)
As McKnife said what you're dealing with here is a bug in the way some manufacturer's preinstalls handle the OAv3.0 BIOS Key. Effectively you need to break that link, which is what this installation method does. Once that's done any other installers will ignore the BIOS key unless you reinstall Core when it will activate without asking for a Key code.
TBH in practice I've only done this with volume licences but I can't think why it wouldn't work with the Retail ei.cfg (but then we are talking about Microsoft here so try not to think logically about it) at worst the VL should install fine, break the BIOS Key link but then demand VL activation which you can't do, at that point you should be able to reinstall the Retail DVD you have and the BIOS Key issue will be gone. At best you'll get prompted on install for the Retail Activation key and you're good to go.
You cannot use an OEM disk from computer A to upgrade OEM on computer B. That is probably why it is not working.
If you are not using Volume Licensing, then each Windows 8 Home machine must be upgraded with the Purchased Anytime upgrade to Pro.
If you are not using Volume Licensing, then each Windows 8 Home machine must be upgraded with the Purchased Anytime upgrade to Pro.
Ahhh! Missed the OEM upgrade bit - yep that will definitely cause hassle as all the OEM disks are installer not upgrades and will install the version matching the Key in the BIOS. This is because you shouldn't be "Upgrading" an OEM system supplied with a lower version you can only "Downgrade" to a previous version. Sounds like you have the wrong media. What's been suggested would take you outside of the licensing you have.
ASKER
So would an upgrade license of Pro 8.1 work from the VLC?
That's not true. OEM disks can upgrade without any problems. Did that often.
ASKER
Now I'm confused? So the OEM full version of 8.1 Pro should work? I am not bothered about an upgrade. A simple format and re install will suffice.
>>So would an upgrade license of Pro 8.1 work from the VLC?
Yes, but the bug with Acer BIOS still needs undoing
>>That's not true. OEM disks can upgrade without any problems. Did that often.
True for earlier/non-UEFI installs but soon not to be the case if Microsoft get their way & use OAv3 to enforce restrictions which match their EULAs
They would work but not if they are using the BIOS Key to activate, With 8.1 and onwards OEM installers come in one format and activate the version according to the BIOS Key. M$ have built this in to OAv3 to restrict users upgrading using OEM installation disks. Sure you can edit the image but see the last part of my last post.
>>Now I'm confused?
I'm not surprised!
Yes, but the bug with Acer BIOS still needs undoing
>>That's not true. OEM disks can upgrade without any problems. Did that often.
True for earlier/non-UEFI installs but soon not to be the case if Microsoft get their way & use OAv3 to enforce restrictions which match their EULAs
They would work but not if they are using the BIOS Key to activate, With 8.1 and onwards OEM installers come in one format and activate the version according to the BIOS Key. M$ have built this in to OAv3 to restrict users upgrading using OEM installation disks. Sure you can edit the image but see the last part of my last post.
>>Now I'm confused?
I'm not surprised!
ASKER
Wow thanks Microsoft! ....again!
Thanks for your reply MASQ!
Thanks for your reply MASQ!
You know what, take the ISO with pro x64 english with update 1 included from somewhere here:
[LINK REMOVED: ]
To make sure it's original and not tampered with, calculate the hash using md5sum, it should be cdadc5a76634651770a365f457 702803
You can also search for that correct hash
[LINK REMOVED: ]
I calculated that hash myself using our Microsoft download.
[LINK REMOVED: ]
To make sure it's original and not tampered with, calculate the hash using md5sum, it should be cdadc5a76634651770a365f457
You can also search for that correct hash
[LINK REMOVED: ]
I calculated that hash myself using our Microsoft download.
What is wrong with original media? There are no keys involved.
So would an upgrade license of Pro 8.1 work from the VLC? <-- It might (check with Microsoft Licensing Support). But you need the license availability to do the upgrade.
You can't use an OEM Pro disk from a different machine because that license is in use already.
You can't use an OEM Pro disk from a different machine because that license is in use already.
ASKER
The OEM Pro disks are unused, fresh out the packaging.
This is all a little crazy. I think I may have to call Microsoft to clarify. At least then I have someone to blame :)
This is all a little crazy. I think I may have to call Microsoft to clarify. At least then I have someone to blame :)
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It's not about the keys it's about downloading the media from sites that Microsoft don't authorise, I have no doubts about the authenticity of the image but strictly even DigitalRiver's direct links aren't allowed.
Separately as we've now established we've already posted enough info to move these machines onto a platform that unintentionally the asker has the wrong media for. Lawrie really needs a non-OEM installer as well as a fix for the bug forcing Core to be selected everytime.
Separately as we've now established we've already posted enough info to move these machines onto a platform that unintentionally the asker has the wrong media for. Lawrie really needs a non-OEM installer as well as a fix for the bug forcing Core to be selected everytime.
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ASKER
So microsoft assure me it is a generic 8.1 disc and not a pro version. Even though the packaging and even disc is plastered with 8.1Pro Full Version!
Seems I will to buy a separate upgrade disc.
Seems I will to buy a separate upgrade disc.
Maybe this migbt help with the install problem
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/44415-how-install-windows-8-1-8-1-oem-key.html