Windows 8.1 Product Key not working for install

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sbrown8

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There should really be another section for Windows 8.1 specifically, since in its own rights and the way that it operates, it's not just a simple update, but an entirely different operating system. Anyway, to the problem.

After days of scouring the internet, I've come up with nothing really for this specific problem. Now, this computer is just about a year old, meaning that it came with an original copy of Windows 8.1, it did not start with Windows 8, just to clarify. Now, the HDD went bad. Of course, being the typical consumer, said laptop had never had any recovery media created. However, I have managed to recover the OEM BIOS product key (which was different from the key I used to activate a copy of windows to reach the desktop to do so.) Regardless, the key does not activate when I put it in on a copy of Windows 8.1 64bit, saying that it couldn't activate this version. So, I created media for Windows 8.1 32bit (which I was pretty sure it was not a 32bit copy, but eh, why not?) During the activation (which the media should automatically detect the product key when installing, just as a Windows 8 clean install from Microsoft will) I entered the product key when it prompts. It tells me that this installation media does not have any files related to this version of windows. I tried the 64 bit version again, this time using my OEM key. It says the same thing. So, what version of Windows 8.1 did this computer have? Was it an enterprise edition or something? Is there any way that I can tell what version of windows the product key is? Because apparently the bootable installations can.

TL;DR
HDD went bad, not bootable, no recovery media. Got new HDD. I have the OEM product key, which is Windows 8.1. The standard retail Windows 8.1 32 and 64 bit installs say that I can't use that key to install them.
 
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Reyaz123
Do what USAFret said. It would save you a lot of trouble if you just called HP and asked them about this issue. Even request recovery discs if you need them.
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Reyaz123

Reyaz123

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If you are installing windows 8.1 onto a completely different computer with different motherboard, it wouldn't accept the OEM key. The motherboard has this embedded inside of the original hardware you bought it with. I doubt you may have enterprise because you need a special license to get that

My guess is that you had windows 8.1 pro or just windows 8.1
 
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sbrown8

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As I did say before, it was a bad HDD, got a new HDD, trying to install the OS. All other hardware has not changed.

I've tried both 8.1 and 8.1 pro. I'm also fairly certain, with this laptop only being a $200 laptop, that it is not 8.1 pro. It was originally just Windows 8.1 64bit as far as I knew. But, well, it isn't accepting that.
 
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Reyaz123

Reyaz123

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Did you try windows 8.1 RT edition?

Edit: Sorry, forgot the mention. If you remember how much RAM came with your system, that can help you figure out if you had a 32-bit or 64-bit system.
4GB of RAM or lower = 32-bit
4GB of RAM or Higher = 64-bit
 
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Reyaz123

Reyaz123

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If you still have the original box that your pc came in, there should be a sticker or manual attached to the box somewhere stating which OS version you originally had, not so sure if they include OEM product key numbers on these boxes anymore but its good to check.

Another alternative to find your OEM key, go to 1. (works on Windows 8, not sure about Windows 8.1)
https://itsolutionsblog.net/3-ways-to-extract-the-windows-8-product-key/
 
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sbrown8

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Ok, so, as I stated originally, yet again, here we go. I've tried 8.1 32 and 64 bit versions, both of which say that the key cannot be used. (Oh, ya, I do have the OEM key, as I said originally) I know that it is not RT because we did have programs downloaded on it, rarely using the windows store. The problem stemmed from the fact that I had the key and that it says that there are no files available to download this version of Windows onto the machine when I used both the 32 and 64 bit versions. Which is why I've come here to ask, how does it know my version but I don't? What is my version? Apparently it must be specific. Unless HP decided to use enterprise editions.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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You're doing this from a full reinstall? Where did you obtain the install media from?
What is the exact error message you are getting?
 
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sbrown8

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http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media straight from Microsoft for these types of situations. The exact error message is as I've paraphrased before, but it states "There are no recovery files to install this version of Windows. Please insert the correct recovery media." Which, that is what it says after I put in the product key. But, using a product key from a separate computer, the install does work just fine (of course it's not activated, saying the key is in use.) I've also tried putting in the key at the desktop and it says that "This key cannot be used to activate this version of Windows."

Honestly I'm wondering if HP cheaped out and just bought an Enterprise edition and made a couple thousand computers that way.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Right. You cannot use an OEM license key to obtain that download. Microsoft expects you to get it from the manufacturer (HP).
That download place only works for a retail license.

If we harken back to your original statement:
"Of course, being the typical consumer, said laptop had never had any recovery media created. "

That is where you should have built the recovery media from. Since you did not, you have 2 options:
1. Pay HP for a copy of that.
2. Buy your own OS.
 
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sbrown8

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Although, I did just try with the KMS client setup keys to get past the install, and it does have the files to install Enterprise. So, I don't think it's that anymore.
 
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sbrown8

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That install does work for OEM license keys, hence I've done it multiple times before. Which, I would understand if it gave me the error "You can't use this product key to install a retail version of Windows" which I have seen before when people use keygens. However, when recovering the product key from the BIOS, this has never failed me before. It's also giving me an error stating that it simply isn't the correct version. Which is why I want to know how it can tell the version and I cannot. What possible version could it be?
 
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sbrown8

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I don't know how to quote on this site yet, but that bit about having nothing to do with the enterprise edition. These keys are used for KMS hosts to install for their clients, however, the key can be used to install a version of Windows, however it will not be active. Since it continued with the installation, that's saying that the recovery media does in fact have files to install Enterprise edition (when using the enterprise key)
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Right. And a KMS (Key Management Server) has nothing to do with a consumer level HP device.

So do you have the OS installed, just not activated? Or what is the actual deal?
 
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sbrown8

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I've installed multiple OS's on the machine to reach the desktop, but of course they weren't activated. Using the OEM product key, they all gave me that this version of windows can't be activated with this product key. I've also tried using the key on multiple installs and that's when it tells me it doesn't have the files to install this version of windows.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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You need to obtain the recovery files from HP, or buy your own OS.
 
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sbrown8

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Ya, I just went ahead and called HP, managed to get a supervisor and explained to him it would be cheaper to just send me the recovery discs rather than replace the HDD under MFG. He went ahead and sent me recovery discs for no charge. I just think if the installation media can tell the version of Windows the product key is, shouldn't we be able to? From a computer repair shop perspective.
 
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sbrown8

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I know, I've had to turn people away telling them they need the original recovery media because they just don't have the key for windows 8 or 8.1 anymore. And it's only HP's really. Asus, Lenovo, Toshiba. Even without recovery media, the standard installation automatically detects the OEM key that's on the BIOS and just goes straight through to the installation. It really sucks that HP's doesn't as well.
 
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Reyaz123

Reyaz123

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I figured it was like that too, until you mentioned HP has problems like this. I have an Asus laptop and it automatically enters my OEM key in during the installation.

Well, at least we can all pass on this knowledge to others who have problems with HP like this.
 
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