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    Install Win8 after downgraded to Win7?

    Discussion in 'MSI' started by kewkie, Jan 31, 2014.

  1. kewkie

    kewkie Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys,

    i'm having an MSI Laptop with Windows 8 pre-installed and i downgraded to windows 7 (so, i have had to delete the partitions, so.. no recovery partition is there anymore). Now what if i want to go back to windows 8?

    What i have to do exactly? Because i've read that the Win8 Key is saved in the BIOS? i tried to read it with "Read & write utility" and i found it, but when i try to use it to download Win8 it says i cant use this key with this product?

    Any ideas? Thanks
     
    kewkie, Jan 31, 2014
    #1
  2. Kevin@GenTechPC

    Kevin@GenTechPC Company Representative

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    You can install Win8 in 2 ways.

    1. UEFI mode with fastboot, and GPT partition.
    Change the boot mode in BIOS, and insert the installation disc, press F11 and select UEFI CD/DVD to boot from, delete the partitions, and let Windows auto-manage the GPT partitions.
    Note: It's easier if you use the original recovery discs, but if you didn't create it then you con contact MSI directly for it and fees may apply.

    2. Legacy mode without fastboot, but with MBR partition.
    Without changing any settings in the BIOS, simply install Win8 using the installation disc.
    The key is embedded in the BIOS therefore you will not be asked for the key if your installation disc is a retail version.
    OEM disc will require you to enter a key since it's incompatible with the key in the BIOS.
     
    Kevin@GenTechPC, Jan 31, 2014
    #2
  3. zipperi

    zipperi Notebook Deity

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    Not necessarily - may depend on the area where the NB is bought. My GT70 didn't accept the Iso I downloaded so I bought an OEM DVD in my language
    (HRM_CCSA_X64FRE_FI-FI_DV5) and it installed without asking the key - so I have one key in reserve...
     
    zipperi, Jan 31, 2014
    #3
    Kevin@GenTechPC likes this.
  4. Kevin@GenTechPC

    Kevin@GenTechPC Company Representative

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    I see, I previously tried to do it for a customer awhile back and it couldn't accept the OEM disc. Glad that it worked for you.
     
    Kevin@GenTechPC, Jan 31, 2014
    #4
  5. hacktrix2006

    hacktrix2006 Hold My Vodka, I going to kill my GPU

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    You need to Download a OEM Copy of Windows 8 and use a Generic Windows 8 OEM key to install with.
    After you have done that you then run SLMGR.VBS /upk and reboot the system.

    Upon your system booting backup you simply run slui 3 and type in your OEM Key from the bios and boom your sorted.
    You can use RW Everything to get the Windows 8 OEM key from your bios.
     
    hacktrix2006, Apr 8, 2014
    #5
  6. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    I would not bother with Window 8.0,install Windows 8.1

    Download a Windows 8.1 RTM iso and burn it to a DVD using Microsoft's USB/DVD Tool

    There's keys supplied by Microsoft for installation only and not activation.

    Windows 8.1 Pro installation key XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
    Windows 8.1 Core installation key 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

    After it's installed use your legal Windows 8 Pro key to activate or the Core Key retrieved from your bios if your notebook shipped with Windows 8 preinstalled.

    I got my RTM ISOs with correct hashes from the Windows 8 forum Windows 8.1 Repository on forums.mydigitallife.info

    BTW,yesterday Windows 8.1 received a major update via Windows Update
     
    WhatsThePoint, Apr 8, 2014
    #6
  7. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    That was just a cumulative update

    Edit: apparently not, funny enough that the official link in windows update said it was. :)
     
    hfm, Apr 9, 2014
    #7
  8. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    After the updates the build of Windows 8.1 Kernel version will change to 6.3.9600.17041
     

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    WhatsThePoint, Apr 9, 2014
    #8