I want to create a bootable flash drive after upgrading from Windows 8 to 8.1.
Instructions say you need a Windows 8.1 product key. I downloaded 8.1 from the MS Store. Will using my original Windows 8 product key work?
My system: dell inspiron 14R 5421
O.S. Windows 8.1
Dell Backup and Recovery 1.7.1.2
All software updated
Dell Backup and Recovery software has not been able to detect or use "the second dvd blank disk" on my computer.
I'm trying to recreate win 8.1 pro system reserved partition on my ssd. Initially I installed windows on my ssd (c: ) and windows created the sysres partition on my unformatted hd (without telling me anything). After some trouble I managed to be able to boot from ssd directly without going through the sysres partition on the hd. Now if possible I'd like to recreate the sysres on the ssd (by disconnecting my hd so that windows has no other options than creating this on the ssd). If a try a system refresh it tells me it would wipe away all my user installed apps.
View 4 Replies View RelatedI have a Windows 8 pro oem copy and I want to create a bootable Windows 8.1 pro Usb stick in uefi format to do a clean install.
Now I built my machine myself so I am sure there is no embedded windows key in the bios? But I cant seem to download anything that will create the media, it says it my key wont work in a retail copy of windows 8.
I'm trying to understand the licence on my Windows 8 Media. I bought Windows 8.0 last year, not an upgrade, and not with a PC.
It's got a section on installing on a PC for personal use. I want to un-install/remove from 1 PC, and install it on a New PC.
It's not clear how I achieve this.? The only 3 things it's say's I cant do:
- Use as upgrade
- Legalize a non-genuine install
- License more than 5 copies for commercial use.??
So is there a method to follow to avoid activation issues.? And it telling me this is already installed on another PC.?
I don't know what Windows 8.1 has done to my system but after getting rid of it and re-installing Windows 8 ENTERPRISE again I cannot create Windows to GO any more
It doesn't matter if I plug in an SSD, a standard USB stick or a standard external USB HDD - I get No suitable devices found when launching the application from the control panel.
(I can do it manually the old fashioned way but I don't know why the standard method is broken when it was working perfectly before).
I upgraded Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 via the Windows store and so. Do not have a DVD or any media to do a refresh or recovery ... I need to refresh Windows 8.1 as many of my apps do not open.
I tried this from this site here. All went fine but when i went to refresh windows cannot find any media again.
How to: REFRESH your Windows 8.1 installation without installation media.
I have in my possession an HP Pavilion a1230n desktop compulator. I was told that it crashed some time ago and was only used for simple things as it was deemed not trust worthy and stable. It was running Windows xp until about two weeks ago when the power at the person's house went out suddenly and the ntldr was corrupted and wouldn't boot, obviously the solution to that was to do a clean install but as xp is to be dead soon, the decision was made to go to the Windows 8.1.
It seems as if this is genuinely possessed by an evil spirit, as I was told by the owner, because LITERALLY NOTHING I've done is allowing me to install Windows 8.1, not even booting into the USB installer of 8.1, or even trying to run Windows 8.1. Normally I deploy Windows through DISM and my custom .wim file onto the hard drive and I boot into WinPE or a neutered Windows installer USB and apply boot files to the drive and it works just fine. That hasn't worked. I had 8.1 on the target drive, was actually able to get the DVD installer to run, although this was the second time since the first run of it didn't even find a hard drive when I plugged it back in, and apply boot files successfully. I restarted, but it ran for about a few seconds and ran into continuous reboots before it said that the install needs to be repaired.
Then I tried to actually run the DVD installer of straight up vanilla Windows 8 to see if maybe there was a CPU requirement not being met, but the installation failed about 47% through. I THINK the error code was 0xc0000221, not sure though. Next I tried remaking a THIRD USB installation of 8.1, but EVERY single time when I boot off into the USB drive, it takes at least five minutes (normally it shouldn't take so long) before any activity on screen shows. But EVERY time, it hangs up and restarts. The error code I got for sure with that was elxstor.sys 0xc0000221. In one of the failed attempts of installing, it was the same thing but with a different .sys file.
The thing is I KNOW for sure my .iso images of Windows are perfectly fine I was just recently used the previous USB installer to deploy 8.1 onto a laptop just yesterday but doesn't work on this PC. The compulator in question is 64 bit capable and as far as I know meets the Windows 8 CPU requirements. I've disconnected EVERY peripheral even the keyboard, and obviously reconnected the keyboard and ran it again. I've cleared the CMOS. I have the USB and keyboard connected to the motherboard's USB ports and not the headers. I've also gone to the extent of using a third party, non-partisan hard drive with Windows 8.1 deployed on it to try and install boot files on that to see if hard drive issues may be present from the PC's drive. That also didn't work nor did installing Windows onto that separate drive from the DVD work either. I've checked the PC's hard drive for errors, everything is ok.
I've installed Windows at least over 100 different times from VMs to many different PCs, but this is literally the first one to cause such an issue I can't even think of why. Although, thinking about it, I do remember once with a slightly older HP desktop when I was trying to run a Windows 7 To Go drive off of it, it just wouldn't run whatsoever and I had to fix the bcdboot files for it run again.
I am trying to make a DVD with UEFI/GPT support for Windows 8
I have an ISO from MSDN - Windows 8.1 Pro VL (x64) - DVD (Danish)
File Name:da_windows_8_1_pro_vl_x64_dvd_2971937.iso
[URL] .....
The SHA1 for the ISO matches the one on MSDN
SHA1: 3142B1DCBDFFC7E46ACE0E89BDB858D2C9B1F233
I used Hashtab v.5.1.23 to verify [URL] .....
If I burn the ISO and boot from the DVD created, it boot just fine in UEFI Bios.
But if I change the ei.cfg file to one of these:
[EditionID]
[EditionID]
Core
(Blank) to have the choice to install Core or Pro
[Channel]
[Channel]
OEM
Retail
[VL]
[VL]
0
0
It will not boot in UEFI Bios, it work just fine in Legacy Bios. I can use the program Rufus [URL] .... to create a bootable USB drive, this works perfect. But I would really like to know how to make this work on a DVD. Or/and what I am missing.
This is the original ei.cfg file from the ISO.
[EditionID]
Professional
[Channel]
Volume
[VL]
1
For some reason Windows 8 Pro keeps corrupting after installing updates i have used the DVD to refresh in the past but i can't boot into Windows so i can refresh without media ie copying install.wim to C drive
I'm dual booting Windows 8 Pro With Windows 7 VHD.
Its corrupted 3 times now each patch Tuesday.
Is it possible to install Windows Media Player 10 onto Windows 8.1? Or at least, a workaround to degrade from my Windows Media Player 12?
View 5 Replies View RelatedOk so i am trying to install windows 8 X64 onto a different hard drive as windows 7 so i can switch between the two at startup.Ok so my problems started yesterday when trying to install windows 8 onto the Hard Drive i was getting"Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks."To fix this i converted the disk to a GPT disk in Disk ManagerNow im getting the Error "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the setup log files for more Information." Here is a screenshot of disk manager at the moment.I am trying to install Windows 8 to Disk 2.
View 9 Replies View RelatedAll of a sudden I can't reliably play any video media on my Win 8 64bit computer -- was working fine yesterday and AFAIK nothing (other than perhaps Windows automatic updates) changed. My first thought was to try and restore but even though I'm sure I created a restore point it tells me there isn't one. Sigh.
Okay, so then I try to perform a reset (but keeping all my files) and it tells me some files are missing and to insert my recovery media. All well and good, I actually have that (and know where it is) but when I insert the disk it tells me it is NOT a recovery disk.
It is, of course, precisely that -- a Windows 8 Recovery Media for Windows 8 Products 64 bit. I am running an official copy of Win 8 (well, 8.1, but I have no media for that since it was a free update). Yes, it's OEM (Dell) but that shouldn't make a difference. And, more importantly, what I am to do now?
I have a windows 8 laptop. I bought a SSD and want to move windows to the SSD and use the HDD for media and games.
How do I do this without windows forcing me to the error page
I installed Windows 8.1 Pro Update using the MSDN iso (untouched) of Windows 8.1 Update (Multiple Edition).
Now, I would like to add the Windows Media Center feature. How should I do?
Is it possible to add this feature even if your computer does not have an Internet connection?
I'm trying to get my existing installation of windows to boot as an external hard drive. I had it installed on an internal drive, then removed the hard drive and put it in an external enclosure. Then trying to boot off the drive results in windows loading the recovery screen and giving me a bunch of options. The only thing I can do is restart the computer with all the other options (refresh, reinstall) saying that the drive is locked. Putting the drive back into the computer will allow me to boot normally from it, but I want to be able to boot from it via USB 3.
What can I do to either create a fresh install of windows on this drive that can be booted by usb or migrate/modify my existing installation to work.
I have upgraded my system from windows 7 to windows 8 through digital delivery (no dvd). later it was upgraded to 8.1 pro now its in 8.1 pro with media center. Now i want to do a clean install of windows 8.1 pro with media center but i have no media, i have only windows 8 purchase product key and current product id.
View 9 Replies View RelatedI am trying to install a oem copy of windows 8 64 bit onto my desktop, using a microsoft install dvd. I've installed xp, vista, and windows 7 onto it without any issues whatsoever, however when trying to install windows 8, I keep getting an error in windows setup that states the following:
Load Driver : A media driver your computer needs is missing. This could be a DVD, USP or Hard disk driver. If you have a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive with the driver on it, please insert it now.
Since I'm using an actual microsoft disc, and the hash checks out okay, I'm not really sure how to proceed, as it doesn't seem to be the disc image.
The solutions I've come across are vague, and usually relate to USB/VMware installs instead of using a retail DVD. How I can get past this error?
My system:
EVGA Z77 FTW Mobo, updated firmware/bios
Intel 3770k CPU
Antec Quattro 1000 PSU
Kingston HyperX 3K SSD
EVGA GTX 580 3GB GPU
LG M-Disc Super Multi DVD/CD Reader/Burner
I did a factory reset on my windows 8, and it messed up, not completing. so it is now stuck on a cycle of 'preparing automatic repair' and 'diagnosing your pc'.
And I today recieved the windows 8 cd to reinstall the os.
But after I've chosen language, I get error message saying I'm missing 1 of the media drivers.
Computer: alienware m14x r2 laptop
I installed Media Center & now I can't download a key for it!
I have 2 computers running Windows 8 Pro. I got the key for Media Center on one computer & everything works!!
I then loaded Media Center on the other Windows 8 Pro computer, but it will not let me download a key for it. It insists that I have downloaded a key!
I tried to reactivate back to my original installation & refuses to accepted that valid key!
I don't know how they know I have downloaded a key.
What do I do know? Reinstall the original Windows 8 Pro? There must be a way!!
My computer crashed(?) and wouldn't go past the setup utility screen. I finally got my Windows 8 installation disc, now my computer is telling my it can't find a media driver.
View 1 Replies View RelatedBrand new laptop. HP. 17e UEFI +GPT etc. Upgraded to 8.1 from 8, first thing. Then clicked on the MS, create recovery. (in blind hope of a clean 8.1 restore). Inserted (32gb stick) (later found out is illegal windows 8 version, that is not removable.) SD-extreme, 32gb. list on toms HW, as winner of all, (and is useless for this app).
So I pull out my very old SD cruiser glide, 32gb (old , slow and not win 8 cert (a good thing). Yes all 32gb extremes are mapped as HDD not removable media and is doomed. (known on all forums) but same error.
The cruiser shows up i device manager under removable media....btw i want to find out why the missing files error. I have a HDD and SSD, with latter mirrored. both the orig, HDD fails and SSD fails. same way. I parked the HDD , and run only SSD. but both fail... (my guess is , upgrades 8.0 to windows 8.1 is cause).
now the screen,
attached
How can i find the log of these errors, it's not in event viewer.. oddly. sfc/ scannow works. as does chkdsk, and restore (create) works,. and system is Fast a lightning. All HP apps works, cept there version of create disk for same reasons.
My HP create recovery now works on the GLIDE. (old very old 32gb stick i had laying about). So now I am thinking HP? blocks the MS create so you will use theirs? But I'd lilke to know this, what files are missing....
I installed Windows 8/8.1 on a system with a Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H MB. When I look at the SSD where Windows is installed I have one partition. I also installed Windows 8/8.1 on an ASRock Z77 OC Formula MB. When I look at the SSD where Windows is installed I have three partitions - 300MB (Recovery Partition), 100MB (EFI System Partition) and 111.27GB (Boot,....Partition). Why did the Windows 8 installer create three partitions on the ASRock system? I think I understand the EFI partition since the ASRock BIOS has a "Load UEFI Defaults" option. The Gigabyte MB does not have this option in the BIOS? Is that because the ASRock MB has truly implemented EFI and uses the EFI System Partition to store boot information?
Why was the Recovery Partition created? I built this system from scratch so there is not any third party involvement. If I reinstall Windows 8 using a new - never used SSD will I get the three partitions? If I format the SSD with one partition prior to Installing Windows 8 what will I get?
I not concerned about the loss of 300MB,why I got different partition configurations on fresh installs of Windows 8 on two different MB's/Systems?
I have a new Sony vaio duo 11 running (or not) Windows 8 64 bit. I was away when it arrived. Number one son decided to set it up for me so that it would be working on my return. I now need to refresh or recover but am being told that some Windows files are missing. I have no media disk or backup. So how do I go about getting the missing files?
Every web site tells me to stick the Windows 8 media in. This doesn't seem to be a rare problem so why don't Microsoft make them available online? Alternatively, if I was to buy a Windows 8 64bit pro upgrade and install over, would this provide me with the missing files?
Can i move old activated Windows 8 Pro with MC key to new computer (complete new build)? And how?
View 5 Replies View RelatedSo for some background I basically stream music, pictures and video content from my computer to an Xbox 360 in the lounge room for my family to enjoy. This has worked for quite a long time with Windows 7.
I installed Windows 8 Consumer Preview today and got settled in with it and indexed my libraries with Windows Media player so this could resume. But to my dismay this doesn't seem to work in Windows 8.
I have each folder and hard drive shared on windows for network use, I have a little experience from LANs in this area. I have enabled all streaming options in WMP that I know of and the entirety of my library has been fully indexed. This is WMP 12 and everything I possibly know of is up to date.
I haven't got the Homegroup feature active as I never had to use this before.
The only other thing I have noticed that has changed is this. A little green icon that in windows 7 would appear on top of the xboxs, I'm assuming this means something.
On the Xbox end it used to display the Libraries such as 'Recorded TV', 'Music', 'TV Shows', 'Movies' and other things but now when I try to access video content it gives me a folder called 'Videos' which contains nothing.
Trying to create an ISO of the windows 8.1 dvd. I want to make a bootable USB stick when I go to install it to speed things up and make a backup copy. I can create the ISO using Alcohol 120 but when I use the Windows 7 USB/DVD tool to open the ISO it says it is not a valid ISO file.
Every other bit of software can read it okay so it is an ISO file as far as I can tell.
I already have a Windows 8 Pro USB installer setup but I don't think it can be used to do a repair install for my Windows 8.1 Pro upgrade. So I'm trying to create a new USB installer setup specifically for Win 8.1 Pro. However, the Windows 8.1 setup window is not accepting the 8.1 Product Key that I extracted from Belarc, ProduKey and WPkey. Is there a way to get around that issue so that I can create the Win 8.1 USB installer?
View 3 Replies View RelatedI recently picked up an Asus laptop, a SDD to replace the the laptop's HDD, and a HDD caddy to hold the HDD in place of the CD/DVD drive. After a fresh Win 8.1 install on the SDD, I made system images of both the SDD and the HDD with the Win 8 OEM install (both stored on external drive). I also created a USB recovery drive and then formatted the HDD.
Fast forward a few weeks... It's last Friday. I'm about to leave for a business trip. I boot up my laptop and a screen comes up telling me to "reboot and select proper boot device". I pull the SDD out, hook it up to my desktop, and see that the drive shows up, but it's blank. A little googling turned up a few reviews from other people with the same issue. On rare occasion, it will wipe itself. Using the USB recovery drive and the Win 8.1 system image, I got things up and running again.
Now for my question, instead of constantly carrying around the 2 USB drives holding the recovery and system image, can I create a recovery partition on my HDD that I can boot too if my SDD wipes again? (Could I copy or clone my Recovery USB to a partition on my HDD?) Then I could just keep the SSD system image on the HDD in case I need to restore it, right?
Disk 0: SDD disk that wiped itself
Disk 1: HDD that I'd like to have a recovery partition and system image on
I also have: Win 8 OEM system imageWin 8.1 system imageRecovery USB drive (8.1)Win 8.1 USB Install drive
Why windows 7 and windows 8 introduced a limitation when using Disk Management, and is NOT possible to create more than 3 Primary Partitions? However, using DiskPart from command line it is VERY possible, no warnings or notices.
Code: C:Windowssystem32>diskpartMicrosoft DiskPart version 6.3.9600Copyright (C) 1999-2013 Microsoft Corporation.On computer: PAINKILLERDISKPART> listMicrosoft DiskPart version 6.3.9600DISK [code]....
As far as I know, there is a maximum of 4 Primary partitions on a hardisk, or 3 primary and one extended, and IN the extended partitions more that 4 logical drivers.However, from any disk utility like the old, deprecated, and buggy Partition Magic, acronis disk partition utility, gparted Linux, parted, cfdisk, fdisk, or even on the older Windows like Xp, nt, 2000, 98, me, ms-dos, freedos, I WAS ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO CREATE 4 PRIMARY PARTITIONS, but with the new WINDOWS 7 and the new WINDOWS 8, it appears this limitation of only 3 PRIMARY PARTITIONS instead of 4. Don't know about Vista as I have skipped that version of windows on every PC that I have build or worked.
Or is working like this because of some hidden reason which I can't figure out by myself what could It be, and the only thing that I can observe is that while technology is evolving (hardware and software), we have limitations like this, to create only 3 primary instead of 4 primary while using Disk Management from administrative tools or right clicking on the computer and "manage" console.
Personally I am a little irritated/annoyed that now the disk management is having "handicap" and I can NOT find a serious reason for this idiocratic limitation. As we are "evolving" the normal path It would be more normal to be able to use more that 4 primary on a hardisk, from my point of view, not limiting to ONLY 3 Primary.
I have sony vpceh3aen laptop with windows 7 home basic. I have IOS file of embedded windows 8.1 industry pro with update via dreamspark.com. just now I run windows 8.1 upgrade assistance and its says "your pc's firmware doesn't support secure boot so you won't be able to use it in windows 8.1". Some persons says that not a problem. I not like to upgrade my OS but I want create dual boot with windows 7 home basic and embedded windows 8.1 industry pro.
my questions:
1. can I possible to dual boot? if possible how to create it and what are changes(in BIOS and windows 7 settings) needs to make in my laptop?
2. I have pen drive and DVD, which is best for create dual boot with IOS file?
3. I have 100GB free logical partition. that is enough for embedded windows 8? if not how much need to increase?