I've been performing computer repairs for several years now. Now I've encountered a problem which I have not encountered before. Performing a reinstall of Windows 8 on an OEM PC with a failed hard drive?
With previous versions of Windows I could just install off my universal retail disc or USB key (Win 7) that I made. Then use the product key off the OEM sticker. Using the phone activation system to get it to activate. Now it seems that is no longer possible with Win 8 since the product key is hidden in the UEFI.
So does anyone know of a way to get a retail USB flash drive to install the OEM version? So that it will accept the product key automatically from the UEFI then be able to activate online.
I would rather not have to say to people that Windows cannot be reinstalled unless they pay the manufacturer $40+ to send new installation media. Then wait one or two weeks for it to arrive.
I know that there are activators to "patch" Windows 8 once installed. But this is not acceptable either. Since they have a legitimate license. They shouldn't have to make the reinstall illegitimate and face possible issues in the future from a Windows update breaking it.
I've tried editing ei.cfg but that no longer seems to be valid with Windows 8. I also need a sure fire method. Since I have no way to test. My laptop is a Mac and my desktops are home built. So there is no way to test if it will accept a UEFI key until I try on a customers computer.
With previous versions of Windows I could just install off my universal retail disc or USB key (Win 7) that I made. Then use the product key off the OEM sticker. Using the phone activation system to get it to activate. Now it seems that is no longer possible with Win 8 since the product key is hidden in the UEFI.
So does anyone know of a way to get a retail USB flash drive to install the OEM version? So that it will accept the product key automatically from the UEFI then be able to activate online.
I would rather not have to say to people that Windows cannot be reinstalled unless they pay the manufacturer $40+ to send new installation media. Then wait one or two weeks for it to arrive.
I know that there are activators to "patch" Windows 8 once installed. But this is not acceptable either. Since they have a legitimate license. They shouldn't have to make the reinstall illegitimate and face possible issues in the future from a Windows update breaking it.
I've tried editing ei.cfg but that no longer seems to be valid with Windows 8. I also need a sure fire method. Since I have no way to test. My laptop is a Mac and my desktops are home built. So there is no way to test if it will accept a UEFI key until I try on a customers computer.