Hello,
I have an ASUS Q500A laptop which I bought about two years ago. It came pre-installed with Windows 8.0 (not 8.1). Last week, the original hard drive in the computer crashed (I kept getting the Automatic Repair loop and could do nothing to get past it). So I purchased a new hard drive. Now I am trying to re-install Windows on the same computer with the new hard drive.
Unfortunately, I have NO installation disk (as ASUS seems to not provide those). I did NOT create a recovery disk when my computer was still in working condition and cannot boot the computer on that old hard drive. In addition, I have NO backup (long story short, I backed up with Acronis but backed up in increments instead of doing a full backup, rendering what I have worthless).
I know this question has been asked a lot, and I have searched multiple places all over the internet but would like a straight answer. Is my only hope to purchase a new copy of Windows? I do not have access to the product key, as those are apparently embedded and encrypted in the Bios now. It is not on the back of the computer or on the back of the battery, etc. I have read online where ASUS support refuses to give you a product key (have not tried myself), which boggles my mind especially since they will not provide a re-installation disk.
If repurchasing Windows is my only hope, fine. Obviously I'm upset but have obviously learned a lesson to make several backups in case something like this happens again.
Thanks for your help!
I have an ASUS Q500A laptop which I bought about two years ago. It came pre-installed with Windows 8.0 (not 8.1). Last week, the original hard drive in the computer crashed (I kept getting the Automatic Repair loop and could do nothing to get past it). So I purchased a new hard drive. Now I am trying to re-install Windows on the same computer with the new hard drive.
Unfortunately, I have NO installation disk (as ASUS seems to not provide those). I did NOT create a recovery disk when my computer was still in working condition and cannot boot the computer on that old hard drive. In addition, I have NO backup (long story short, I backed up with Acronis but backed up in increments instead of doing a full backup, rendering what I have worthless).
I know this question has been asked a lot, and I have searched multiple places all over the internet but would like a straight answer. Is my only hope to purchase a new copy of Windows? I do not have access to the product key, as those are apparently embedded and encrypted in the Bios now. It is not on the back of the computer or on the back of the battery, etc. I have read online where ASUS support refuses to give you a product key (have not tried myself), which boggles my mind especially since they will not provide a re-installation disk.
If repurchasing Windows is my only hope, fine. Obviously I'm upset but have obviously learned a lesson to make several backups in case something like this happens again.
Thanks for your help!
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