Guide to preserve Windows 8.x OEM Activation

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by Tito, Dec 11, 2012.

  1. sanjose

    sanjose MDL Member

    Jan 23, 2012
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    @Tito My friend has just bought a New DELL Laptop - installed Windows 8 Single Language - including Reinstalling DVD. I open Sources folder => $OEM$. There's no Logo or Background in there, is there something wrong or where are Logo and Background placed ? any ideas please ? Thanks
     
  2. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
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    Nov 30, 2009
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    Its not necessary that they are placed under $OEM$ folder only. They can be integrated directly in the install.wim.
     
  3. Humphrey

    Humphrey MDL Expert

    Dec 13, 2011
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    If that is a english version then you should upload it for US. :worthy:
     
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  4. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
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    Or even a delta.

    :busted_blue:
     
  5. Humphrey

    Humphrey MDL Expert

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    Quick, post a guide Tito!
     
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  6. Carlos Detweiller

    Carlos Detweiller Emperor of Ice-Cream

    Dec 21, 2012
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    Yeah please, because the ru-RU to en-US conversion ISO is shot.
     
  7. sanjose

    sanjose MDL Member

    Jan 23, 2012
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    #107 sanjose, Jun 26, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
  8. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
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    He means the whole ISO.
     
  9. Carlos Detweiller

    Carlos Detweiller Emperor of Ice-Cream

    Dec 21, 2012
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    Thanks, however, I'm pretty sure we need the whole thing. MDL lacks an original Windows 8 Single Language source. Best would be a Genuine ISO, but even a homebrew one is still better than the ru-RU image we have (the converted en-US ISO has totally b0rked Servicing).
     
  10. BTOR

    BTOR MDL Addicted

    Nov 18, 2009
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    The share is now supposed to be with boot.wim and that includes the personalized help file .mshc [ for all lang ]

    .mshc is a Microsoft Help Container, and the auto-unattended file should contain the value <HelpCustomized>true</HelpCustomized>
     
  11. Humphrey

    Humphrey MDL Expert

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    #111 Humphrey, Jun 26, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
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  12. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
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    First post updated; added English CoreSingleLanguage.

    Thanks to iSkyfree & Humphrey.

    :tea:
     
  13. PIAOWAKA

    PIAOWAKA MDL Novice

    Jul 5, 2013
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    ADDRESSED TO BTOR

    2. Slmgr -ipk "your key from RWEverything"
    WHAT IS THIS AND WHERE IS IT IN RW EVERYTHING. THANKS.
     
  14. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
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  15. electrictesla

    electrictesla MDL Novice

    Aug 16, 2013
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    I have an Asus laptop with Windows 8. It's giving repair needed errors and now it won't boot.

    I'm trying to do a complete reinstall using the RTM ISO: en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440

    It's asking for the key, which I read it isn't supposed to do. When I entered the BIOS key manually it says it doesn't match the disc. I used to ProduKey to extract the key from the BIOS while it was booting.

    When I run PID Checker, it says:

    Edition Type: Core
    Description: Win 8 RTM Core OEM : DM
    Key Type: OEM : DM
    EULA: OEM

    What ISO image do I need to do a complete reinstall while using the OEM key in the BIOS?

    Thanks!
     
  16. Humphrey

    Humphrey MDL Expert

    Dec 13, 2011
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    #116 Humphrey, Aug 16, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Seems like you are doing everything correctly.

    This is the ISO and SHA-1, verify them:
    Code:
      File: en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso
    CRC-32: a5889f86
       MD4: 1c06c693f1e68ce4d2ff4ecc45dd0388
       MD5: 0e8f2199fae18fe510c23426e68f675a
     SHA-1: 1ce53ad5f60419cf04a715cf3233f247e48beec4
    
    Only thing I can think of is that you are selecting Pro and not Core while installing.

    Tell me, are you from the USA? If not you may need a CoreSL iso and not the normal Core.

    If you seen something like this:

    Code:
    Edition Type    : CoreSingleLanguage
    Description    : Win 8 OEM CoreSingleLanguage OEM
    then a coreSL iso you will need.
     
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  17. electrictesla

    electrictesla MDL Novice

    Aug 16, 2013
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    Hi Humphrey,

    I've included a screencap of the info. Checksums match and my Key strictly says Core without the additional words.

    You stated... "Only thing I can think of is that you are selecting Pro and not Core while installing."

    I didn't see any selection during installation, was I supposed to? I just clicked "Install" and it went straight to the screen asking for a key.

    Thanks. View attachment 23065
     
  18. Humphrey

    Humphrey MDL Expert

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    #118 Humphrey, Aug 16, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    No, the way Windows 8 MSDN iso's work is they will ask for a key and then install the edition that matches the key. If you are entering the key and it errors then it could be that you may be entering a incorrect key but seeing how your image shows pretty much a valid result, I am not sure why it isn't working. One thing you could try is burning a new dvd that has a EI.CFG added to it. Adding the EI.CFG will force the edition selection and after you have made your selection you will be able to enter the key.

    Below is a EI.CFG that I have for OEM's. Place it inside the sources folder- you will have to modify the iso to do so unless you are installing via usb. (One way to SKIP entering a key during setup is to change Channel to VOLUME and VL to 1. Once installed and you are going to enter the PC name, then it will ask for a key.

    Code:
    [EditionID]
    
    [Channel]
    OEM
    [VL]
    0
    Make sure if you download the attached file that you change the file type to CFG from txt.

    ~ed~

    I just made a Win8 ISO with a OEM EI.cfg and it allowed me to install it without entering the product key.
     
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  19. electrictesla

    electrictesla MDL Novice

    Aug 16, 2013
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    I appreciate your help, but nothing worked. I edited the ISO using PowerISO and burned it. I just installed Windows 7 Ultimate and called it a day.
     
  20. Humphrey

    Humphrey MDL Expert

    Dec 13, 2011
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