I have an Acer Aspire V3 551G-X419 laptop, and it came pre-installed with Windows 8 (I assume Pro). I took note of the installed product key (got the key via some app). This laptop has UEFI boot, along with Secure Boot. This laptop was refurbished, so no OEM recovery discs. The HDD was wiped clean, so no recovery partition either. The RTM disc of Windows 8 I have won't work, saying "The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key.". Install won't let me enter another key, and thus, doesn't proceed. Using the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistance program with the key leads to a "This product key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8". I'm looking for a way to cleanly reinstall Windows 8 pretty much. Any ideas?
So you wiped the disk before checking the sticky about preserving OEM activations on Windows 8? I think the laptop has Windows 8 CSL thats why it doesnt accepts Pro or Core from your install media.
Nope; just figured at the time I could get the key and be safe, but that doesn't seem to be the case :/ Is there any way to tell exactly what the key is for?
OK. I think it has Windows 8 CORE... so you will need this ISO image en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso Download that file and try again with the key you have (I believe you dont even have to enter a key if you install Windows 8 with ISO file)
The sticker on the bottom just has a Windows logo, followed by "Windows 8". That checker is pretty cool, here's a snippet of what it told me about my key: Not entirely sure on the SHA1, I have it burned to a disc (no iso available atm).
He should really check to make sure that key is in fact a windows 8 key before wasting time downloading. Okay so Core it is. Now you need to download either the 86-biy or 64-bit version of Windows 8 unless you want to go thru the process of finding out what edition is on that dvd you have.
Hmm, so it turns out I have a different Win8 disc burned that works fine for install... interesting. So it seems the Win8 image downloaded from Upgrade Assistant and en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440 (almost positive this was the image I downloaded in the past) accept different keys?
I think that the key doesn't work with the DVD you have because it is an upgrade disc, so you have to install windows 8 from windows 7/vista... (not sure!)
If bought the Upgrade Key online from MS, it's for sure a Pro Key! Normally OP should be able to use an RTM ISO for to install and use the function of Clean Installation. If still didn't install, just start to install windows 7, let create the Partitions and copy of the first files, hard shout down the laptop and use now the RTM ISO again for to start install, also as clean install. That should work with no problems.
Well, maybe it was the VL build of Windows 8, that ISO does only contain PRO (the ISO you get from the Upgrade thingy is PRO-only as well). CORE is on the RETAIL ISO only.