Win 8.x • Win 7 • Vista - 'Multi-OEM' ISO Project

Does OEM tool for Windows 8.x get serial number from motherboard even if UEFI/Secure boot is set to disabled and Hd is diskparted as MBR?

 

For win 8.x it will search for win key in bios and if found it will apply it during setup. This is for OEM machines of course.

 

Yes, my notebook is an OEM hardware, with Windows 8 Single Language and UEFI enabled.
I understand the funcionality of OEM tool.
My question is because of my plan to future:
format my notebook with UEFI disabled and HD diskparted as MBR, because my system has 2GB RAM and 250GB HD.
OEM tool will search key in BIOS even in these conditions above or key is available only in UEFI mode?

 

It works on both partitioning schemes and BIOS/UEFI, but only for Core/Pro. Not CoreSingleLanguage.

 

I did find a bug in this project if using audit mode first. If you are in audit mode then sysprep and capture image for recovery partition, when oobe kicks in, it fails to install the lock screen pic and also the backup in the $OEM$ folder at the root of the drive (in my case it says $DELL$). I had to replace the lock screen pic manually. I think I have found a solution but need to test it in VMware to make sure. Just sharing what I have encountered. If not using audit mode it works correctly. Think win 8.1 is just a pain. lol

 

Well, at the OP says Core/Pro only. Thought Single Language was not included.

 

Solution found...

Find this in the oobe.cmd file:
IF EXIST "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.jpg" IF EXIST "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" MD "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen" >nul && MOVE /Y "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.jpg" "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen\original.jpg" >nul && COPY /Y "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen\LockScreen.jpg" >nul && COPY /Y "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.jpg" >nul

IF EXIST "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.png" IF EXIST "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" MD "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen" >nul && MOVE /Y "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.png" "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen\original.png" >nul && COPY /Y "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen\LockScreen.jpg" >nul && COPY /Y "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.png" >nul

Replace with this:
IF EXIST "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.jpg" TAKEOWN /F "%windir%\Web\Screen\*.jpg" >nul & ICACLS "%windir%\Web\Screen\*.jpg" /reset /T /Q >nul & IF EXIST "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" MD "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen" >nul && MOVE /Y "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.jpg" "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen\original.jpg" >nul && COPY /Y "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen\LockScreen.jpg" >nul && COPY /Y "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.jpg" >nul

IF EXIST "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.png" TAKEOWN /F "%windir%\Web\Screen\*.png" >nul & ICACLS "%windir%\Web\Screen\*.png" /reset /T /Q >nul & IF EXIST "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" MD "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen" >nul && MOVE /Y "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.png" "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen\original.png" >nul && COPY /Y "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" "%systemdrive%\$%MAN%$\LockScreen\LockScreen.jpg" >nul && COPY /Y "%windir%\Setup\scripts\OEM's\%MAN%\Backgrounds\BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.jpg" "%windir%\Web\Screen\img100.png" >nul

This resolves this issue of lock screen not being replaced and backed up. Tested and working in audit mode with win 8.1. This is only needed if you are going to be using audit mode but it will not hurt anything to add it if not using audit mode.

 

But after the change you propose, if I do not use audit mode could I have an new issue?

 

No you will not have any issues if you add it. I have tested it just now. If you don't add the takeown and icacls it wont install the lock screen if using audit mode is all nor will it back it up of course. Repeat it will cause no issues if you add those lines into it. It just insures that the lock screen is installed and backed up. Tested and working here.

 

my dear Single Language...

 

Well, why don't you try it? Then tell us how it did work out.

 

3 reasons: Because my dear manufacturer didn't send media installation disk of Windows 8 x64 Single Language. (UEFI BIOS)
Upgrade to Windows 8.1 already performed from store.
Online activation with less than 4 months. Second activation will fail

Question: Windows 8 Keys works with fresh installation of Windows 8.1?

 

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Just thought I would share something I came upon. If needed the f8 key to help troubleshoot windows 8 or windows 8.1 (on computer) by default is disabled and in order to turn it back on you will need to add this to a setupcomplete.cmd file or firstlogon.cmd file:

bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy >nul

Just sharing what I found out.