"This key cannot be used to install a retail version of windows 8"

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by v1sa, Dec 19, 2012.

  1. v1sa

    v1sa MDL Novice

    Dec 19, 2012
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    Hi guys,

    I own a hp tm2. The previous owner upgraded it to windows 8 in the hp service centre. While trying to reinstall the os i got the following error:

    "This key cannot be used to install a retail version of windows 8"

    So i ran ultimate PID checker and it says: Windows 8 RTM professional volume: GVLK.

    So which version of windows 8 installer should i use and where can i download it legally.

    My laptop is 64bit and has no cd/dvd drive
     
  2. Jachra

    Jachra MDL Member

    Apr 5, 2010
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    You could download a MSDN version of Windows 8 Pro from anywhere. But you must make sure that it has not been tampered with.
    If you search this board, you can find the hashes with which you can compare your downloaded version so that you can see if it is original or not.

    If your key is legit, then you might be able to activate it against a Microsoft Activation Server or you must resort to a available KMS Server.
    Several KMS servers can also be found on this board through searching.
     
  3. Josh Cell

    Josh Cell MDL Developer

    Jan 8, 2011
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    You need to install the GVLK version of the Windows 8. But Retail also accepts Volume licenses.. There's strange.
     
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  4. Jachra

    Jachra MDL Member

    Apr 5, 2010
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    That could be by design of the install medium. The file named ei.cfg could be responsible in restricting this. Without further details from the original poster it is hard to determine the cause of this. The best remedy would be to download a valid MSDN version of Windows 8 Pro and create a install USB.
     
  5. 100

    100 MDL Expert

    May 17, 2011
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    Are you asking how to install it with that key, or how to install a legal version? Because that key will not get you a legal installation.
     
  6. v1sa

    v1sa MDL Novice

    Dec 19, 2012
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    Why not? Its a legal key, my windows is activated. I just wish to reinstall the OS as i've purchased the laptop from the previous owner.

    Am downloading msdn iso right now. Ill update as to how it goes
     
  7. Shenj

    Shenj MDL Expert

    Aug 12, 2010
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    If you have Pro/Core the MSDN Iso will work fine, if you have CoreSingleLanguage or whatever instead of "Core" the MSDN Iso will not work.

    Also you don't actually need to reinstall unless you actually want it Clean, simply use the "RESET" feature inside Windows, this will wipe everything clean and reinstall with a base image, your OEM Laptop should have a Recovery partition and the partition should have a recovery image on it which gets used when you use this feature.
     
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  8. v1sa

    v1sa MDL Novice

    Dec 19, 2012
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    As I said I have Windows 8 Pro x64

    Ive already tried the reset feature. I get the "some files are missing.your windows installation or recovery media will provide these files" error. So ive got to download the iso anyways

    Ive also tried booting into recovery by pressing f11 during startup. It just boots windows 8 normally. I think this is because the laptop came pre loaded with windows 7 and the guys at the hp service center messed up the recovery.
     
  9. 100

    100 MDL Expert

    May 17, 2011
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    It's a volume license key, which means that it is not for resale and only valid as part of an organization's volume license agreement with MS. So no, if that volume license doesn't apply to you it will never give you a legal license.
     
  10. urie

    urie Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 21, 2007
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    I honestly don't think your machine was updated by HP service center I think person you bought it off has installed windows 8.
     
  11. Michel

    Michel MDL Expert

    Jul 29, 2009
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    HP does not use GLVK keys!, as urie said the person you bought it from installed windows 8 with a kms activation (either a loader or from a host someone hosted)
     
  12. Snuffy

    Snuffy MDL Expert

    Jan 7, 2008
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    Also the questions I have is Did you check to insure that F11 was active. By Default my HP Restore Key is NOT ACTIVE...you have to turn on in the BIOS...
    My Acer Laptops are the same,, RESTORE keys are OFF by Default....
    My Dell is the same also. OFF by DEFAULT....
    now if some files are missing why did you not try SFC /scannow to fix....
    if that failed they why not RESTORE back to not REFRESH...