Missing OS for a full restore

[Nignags]

Hi Paul. I can see that I have my weekend cut out for me 😉 I will come back to you if I need help - but I've got a pretty good idea about how to run this. For now - thanks and have a beautiful weekend. BR Alberte

[Paul_Tikkanen]

OK, Alberte.

You need to be able to recover that W8 product key in the BIOS, so you can change the key.

See if you can read the key this way...

Open a Command Prompt window and run the following command:

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

Otherwise, see this link for other free software programs to retrieve the key.

https://www.nextofwindows.com/how-to-retrieve-windows-8-oem-product-key-from-bios

[Nignags]

Hi Paul. The CMD path didn't work - just got an error - I'll try to install W8 via USB. From the Microsoft page schould I choose 8.1 N for nordic launguage? I'm from Denmark 😄

Regards Alberte

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Alberte:

Since Denmark is a member of the EU, I think you should try the N version first.

Here is the generic key for W8.1 Pro N...

JRBBN-4Q997-H4RM2-H3B7W-Q68KC

If that doesn't work, then use the plain W8.1 Pro version.

[Nignags]

Hi Paul. So - W8.1 DK installed and with the DK  key manually change in the start process - and here's a copy af the showkey

KEY_1

ShowKeyPlus - Windows Product Key Information

Product Name: Windows 8.1 Pro N

Version: 9600. (64-bit OS)

[edit]
-------------------------------

KEY_2

ShowKeyPlus - Windows Product Key Information

Product Name: Windows 7 Professional

Version: 7600. (64-bit OS)

[edit] 

What to do now - I can't figure out if the system is ok or if I have to manually change something....

BR Alberte

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi,  Alberte:

Go to the Windows Control Panel>System and Security>System>View Amount of RAM and Processor Speed and at the bottom of that window (Windows Activation section), it will indicate if Windows is activated or not.

If it reports windows is activated, then you are good to go.

[Nignags]

Hi Paul - thanks - ant the message is: not activated - what to do now? BR Alberte

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Alberte

Then you need to change the product key where indicated to the W8 OEM DM key shown in your PC's BIOS.

If it does not accept the key, then you should try installing the non-N W8.1 version.

[Nignags]

And access to the bios setup is at the re-start and press esc - correct? BR Alberte

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, that is correct.

But you don't go into the BIOS to change the product key,

You do it right there where it shows Windows is not activated.

There is a change product key link next to the report.

Then you manually type in the W8 OEM DM product key the Showkey Plus report gave you.