New product key to upgrade from 8 to 8.1 Microsoft says mine is too old, to get new one from HP

[evoldog]

HP 2000 came with windows 8. I upgraded to 8.1 a whiile back. Couple of months ago machine acting up so I refreshed it, but 8.1 did not come back, only 8 did. Microsoft tried to use my original product key, but says it is too old, their system no longer recognizes it, so other than buying a new one (no thanks!) I should be able t get a diffrent product key from the manufacturer (HP) to do the upgrade. But they don't answer the phone if you're out of warranty, so how do I do that?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

See if this works...

Install W8.1 by creating the Microsoft installation media, using another Windows PC, if yours is not working...You want W8.1 64 bit.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

Only if you are asked to enter a product key during the installation process, use this generic key.

This is the generic key for W8.1 'standard.'

334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

If you had to enter the generic key, manually change the generic product key to the W8 'standard' key in your PC's BIOS in the PC settings menu.

After you get W8.1 installed, and you had to manually enter the W8.1 generic product key, you will need to run the free utility I zipped up and attached below, that will show you show the W8 product key in your PC's BIOS.

I have also zipped up and attached below, the Microsoft tool which hopefully will transfer the ISO file to a DVD or usb flash drive so it is bootable.

Then you can install the available drivers and software from your PC's support page.

As far as having HP give you a W8 product key, nobody here can help you with that.

If HP phone support won't talk to you without you forking over a ton of money, then I suggest you e-mail the HP executive team at the link below...

https://ssl.www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/connect-with-hp.html

[evoldog]

Thanks for responding; I have acouople of questions before I attmpt it:

1. My comp works, so I assume no need to use another, and that I start by clicking on the first link in your message?

2. Is there any part of this pr9ocess that does not save all my data? The Microsoft person helping me in chat to get this far, got to a spot where even with a workable key, I believe she said it would wipe out all my data, which is unacceptable.

3. The first zip link you give says Windows 7 - can I still use it even though I have Windows 8.0?