This post is more than 5 years old
3 Posts
0
155238
April 5th, 2015 12:00
Windows 8 Install - Won't Read OEM Licence Key From BIOS - Dell XPS 8500
Hey there,
I've been trying to reinstall Windows 8 onto my PC while using the original key as my hard drive stopped working. When trying to use the Dell installation media, the Windows installer prompts you for a product key no matter what. I've loaded the BIOS defaults and tried booting the disc from Legacy BIOS mode as well. Any Ideas?
Thanks
Hitik
No Events found!
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
0
April 6th, 2015 15:00
No MSDM tab = no product key. If the system is meant to have one there is a fault with the mainboard (I have seen this a few times but it is very rare).
You will need to call Dell Technical Support if the system is in warranty to have it replaced as the key is now considered hardware.
The system will work fine otherwise. If you have no warranty you'll need to purchase a new Windows license or you could install Windows 10 Technical Preview and hold out to see if you are upgraded to Windwos 10 for free or for a discount.
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
0
April 5th, 2015 13:00
It sounds like Dell have probably sent out old installation media or the wrong Edition. Follow the instructions here:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/
The main difficulty is selecting the correct Edition. The correct Edition will take you straight to the license agreement and automatically input your product key. The wrong edition will ask for your product key.
If you have no MSDM tab with RWEverything then you have no Windows 8.x "Edition" product key.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
April 5th, 2015 13:00
What Color is your windows Genuine label? Windows 8.1 media will not recognize an 8.0 key in bios for install. In those cases you must use a generic Key to install and then get online to activate.
The Generic Keys WILL NOT activate Ever. And you must use the appropriate key aka Home or Pro. If you have home sticker and try to get pro to activate it will fail.
XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB (Windows 8.1 Pro)
334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT (Windows 8.1 Home)
Install Windows 8.1 using the generic install key and then once when Windows 8.1 is installed remove all product keys using slmgr.vbr /upk and then restart your computer to see if the 8.1 install picks up the 8.0 key within the system BIOS.
Windows 8 keys are encrypted stored in the Bios installed at the factory. There are no more COA Stickers due to piracy. (OEM System Builder Versions Do Still have COA Stickers)
Windows 8 now comes with a Genuine Microsoft Label there are NO MORE Certificate of Authenticity (COA) Labels.
See the following examples of labels to look for.
Color-Shifting Ink
The color shift on the label is designed to change from one color to another when viewed from different angles,
making it easy to determine if it is genuine.
Windows 8: magenta to green
Windows 8 Pro: blue to purple
Windows RT: turquoise to purple
HitikG
3 Posts
0
April 6th, 2015 04:00
Thanks, I will give that a go.
HitikG
3 Posts
0
April 6th, 2015 04:00
Yeah, in RWEverything I've looked under ACPI tables and MSDM but there was no tab listed. Does this mean that there is no key embedded in the BIOS?
Thanks