Slight kink in the plan.

RedGalaxy00 · May 8, 2014

So, I bought all the parts for my new PC. Shelled out almost 2900 dollars for it. I needed an OS, so I bought Windows 8.1. I, however, did not buy a Disc Drive, as I was already about 100 dollars over budget, and couldn't get it in.

I was told I could install windows 8.1 through USB, but, apparently, to do that... I need a access to a disc drive, so I can create an ISO of the disc. However, my Macbook Pro doesn't have a disc drive... so that's not at all helpful, as you can imagine.

When I asked around other places, no one really gave me an answer that would work for me. Mainly, they kept saying borrow a computer from someone... but I'm new to the city I live in, and don't really know anyone yet, except a couple of school mates, who happen to only have the same Macbook I have, which doesn't have a Disc Drive.

What I'm trying to figure out is what I can do. It would suck if I paid all that money for a computer I won't be able to use. Could any of you help me at all?

Thanks in Advance

Entomber · May 8, 2014

an optical drive is $20 though

bignastyid · May 8, 2014

Download windows 8.1 here and use the option the create a bootable usb drive.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

ThatVietGuy · May 8, 2014

I guess you can give this a try: http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-download-the-official-microsoft-windows-8-1-iso/

zeph_yr · May 8, 2014

Yeah, you can get an optical drive for $15... Might be easier than borrowing a random person's computer.

USAFRet · May 8, 2014

It would really suck if you couldn't increase the budget by 0.5% to include a $20 DVD drive.

4745454b · May 8, 2014

Library? When I was in school (I admit, a "long" time ago...) the computers there had drives.

Entomber · May 8, 2014

Usually public computers won't allow you to download giant files like entire OSes

RedGalaxy00 · May 8, 2014

Again, I'm living on student loans at the moment, and used every penny of saved money to get my computer. (plus about 100 dollars as I said.) I'm living month to month, and really can't get a disc drive. That $20 dollars can feed me for a week. I just hope I can use one of the above suggestions on a mac.

Entomber · May 8, 2014

seems a little unwise to spend $2900 on a computer but be "living month to month" but we aren't financial advisers here I guess.

USAFRet · May 8, 2014

I've not heard of a valid option to get an official Win8 ISO, and create a boot USN, from a Mac.

Throw yourself on the good graces of a friend with a 64bit recent PC.
Or borrow just the DVD drive, either internal or external.

A little upfront investigation would have precluded this line of questioning.

RedGalaxy00 · May 9, 2014

That is correct USAFRet. I should have done a bit more searching on the actual process of installing windows 8.1 through USB before I decided I'd do it. (I did that was 7 back when it came out, on my last computer. Which I no longer have.

RedGalaxy00 · May 9, 2014

Heres a question I can't find an answer for. Is it possible to install and activate windows 8 with a windows 8.1 product key, and update then update it to 8.1?

USAFRet · May 9, 2014

RedGalaxy00 :

No. The activation key is specific to the version.

4745454b · May 9, 2014

Does this help? I think you can install win8 30 day trial can't you?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

I had this issue recently as I bought 8.1 for a friend of mine who had a pirated copy of windows. I wanted to get her something legal. I bought the key from someone off a forum. But that means no link like I should have got if I bought from MS. I had to use my win7 disk to get windows onto her system, then use the link I just gave you to get 8.1 from MS. Not sure if you can go this route.

USAFRet · May 9, 2014

4745454b :

That would work from a Windows PC, not a Mac.

RedGalaxy00 · May 10, 2014

Okay, so I think I found a solution. I'm going to run Parellels and Windows 8.1 Enterprise trial to create a bootable USB. I'll post if it works or not.

USAFRet · May 10, 2014

RedGalaxy00 :

Yes, that might work.

RedGalaxy00 · May 10, 2014

Okay, so that didn't work. Apparently, from searching around, I can't use the suggestions above because my copy of Windows 8.1 is an OEM copy. So, yeah. (It's looking like I will have to cave and buy me a disc drive.)

Slight kink in the plan.

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