Dell W8 disc with other laptops

AlecEiffel

NiftyDigits wrote: »

I have been specific. You either didn't understand or you simply ignored what I wrote.

I told you that the SKU have to match(for OEM) and I also gave you examples of SKU.

The is no such variation as Windows 8 Standard. Even if you were generalising it would be unlikely. As 'Standard' would more than likely refer to a 'Retail' licence. Substitute 'Core' for 'Standard'.

If you want to check what you have.....

Open an elevated Command Prompt and enter:slmgr.vbs /dlv

Thank you. I clearly didn't understand hence me asking you to be more specific. Yes you gave some examples, with no context or indication of how I check, which was why I asked.
I know there is no variation as standard, I was meaning that it wasn't Pro, or enterprise etc, it is just plain old windows 8 (which doesn't appear to have a name as such). I apologise if I am ignorant in these matters and not using correct terminology but that is why I'm asking.

AlecEiffel

gjchester wrote: »

The Dell Disk is most likely a OEM version. The key on the bottom of most laptops will be a OEM Key. There is no such thing as "generic media" it may be you have a unbranded (Or Microsoft retail branded) copy rather than a OEM version that your key is for.


It *may* also be set to check the BIOS not for a code but for model of the device, so the restore disc tries to make sure its a DELL device before it can be run. It may also be the Key is in the BIOS as well, remember that OEM versions live and die with the device they are on, so cannot be moved anyway.


Win XP and Win 7 (never really did much on Vista) were the same, OEM keys needed OEM media, and retail keys will only work on retail media. The Service version usually wasn't an issue just the media version in use has to make the key type.


It's also possible the Dell disk is coded to load a specific version, but as you said the disk and key were both for W8 standard that should not be an issue.


Hopefully that explains it better...

Thank you for the reply, that clears up some questions in my mind. Cheers!

NiftyDigits

Lum wrote: »

I'm well aware, am writing this post from a machine that has been installed in that way.

Not sure how it changes when embedded keys and stickerless PCs are involved, as mine is an upgrade install from Win7.

I've told you how it works. It's very simple. You just have to use the right disc for the install.
Generic key to install the correct edition and your extracted embedded key for activation. This only for 8.1, as the Windows 8 Installer should read the embedded key.

You can simplify the process further by using a ei.cfg designed to install the specific edition necessary, therefore skipping the need for the 'generic' key.

I've already created recovery discs for every occasion.

No need for 'naughty' torrents and 'dubious' methods. You just have to understand how the system works.
You are using a legitimate licence key in all instances.

NiftyDigits

AlecEiffel wrote: »

Thank you for the reply, that clears up some questions in my mind. Cheers!

Erm..... the problem is that most of it is either wrong or simply conjecture.

Sorry

NiftyDigits

AlecEiffel wrote: »

Thank you. I clearly didn't understand hence me asking you to be more specific. Yes you gave some examples, with no context or indication of how I check, which was why I asked.
I know there is no variation as standard, I was meaning that it wasn't Pro, or enterprise etc, it is just plain old windows 8 (which doesn't appear to have a name as such). I apologise if I am ignorant in these matters and not using correct terminology but that is why I'm asking.

So now you know how to check. It is not just a question of terminology.

For instance, 'Standard/Core' and 'Standard/Core Single Language' would require a different image to install and activate.

gjchester

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Erm..... the problem is that most of it is either wrong or simply conjecture.

Sorry

True. I only based it on 15+ years of dealing almost exclusively with HP and Dell Hardware.


Its not specific as the OP hasn't said exactly what they have, and used terms like "generic" that may mean a different thing to someone who does hardware support day in and day out and someone who just has to occasionally fix a PC.


Windows 8 "Standard" could refer to a Windows 8 install (ie not Pro) or generic "windows disks" which could mean non branded OEM disks from a smaller vendor, and they can easily be mixed up with Microsoft branded retail stock to the non technical user.


What does not help is without knowing all the details its 50-50 what the OP has.


Does either laptop have the unique hash of a W8 key in the BIOS (ie Activation 3.0) , or the older "generic OEM Key" (as required by Activation 2.0 if the machine came with W7) that the user then had to update with the one on the product label, or nothing at all in the BIOS? Both laptops should have the unique hash of a key if it was supplied with Win 8 from any major vendor and the BIOS key is used regardless of what the OP may try and enter.


Another alternative is that system may have a hidden partition with the key data in it, and the final thought is it all depends on the laptop vendor OEM agreement with Microsoft. Dell and HP can demand more flexibility than smaller vendors.


Your only "mistake" was to lapse in to technical terms, I understood you, but the OP didn't. You could probably answer the questions above, but the OP just needs more help to understand the terminology. Lets try and help him understand not confuse him more, its only simple if you do a lot of rebuilds and re-installs...

NiftyDigits

gjchester wrote: »

True. I only based it on 15+ years of dealing almost exclusively with HP and Dell Hardware.


Its not specific as the OP hasn't said exactly what they have, and used terms like "generic" that may mean a different thing to someone who does hardware support day in and day out and someone who just has to occasionally fix a PC.


Windows 8 "Standard" could refer to a Windows 8 install (ie not Pro) or generic "windows disks" which could mean non branded OEM disks from a smaller vendor, and they can easily be mixed up with Microsoft branded retail stock to the non technical user.


What does not help is without knowing all the details its 50-50 what the OP has.


Does either laptop have the unique hash of a W8 key in the BIOS (ie Activation 3.0) , or the older "generic OEM Key" (as required by Activation 2.0 if the machine came with W7) that the user then had to update with the one on the product label, or nothing at all in the BIOS? Both laptops should have the unique hash of a key if it was supplied with Win 8 from any major vendor and the BIOS key is used regardless of what the OP may try and enter.


Another alternative is that system may have a hidden partition with the key data in it, and the final thought is it all depends on the laptop vendor OEM agreement with Microsoft. Dell and HP can demand more flexibility than smaller vendors.


Your only "mistake" was to lapse in to technical terms, I understood you, but the OP didn't. You could probably answer the questions above, but the OP just needs more help to understand the terminology. Lets try and help him understand not confuse him more, its only simple if you do a lot of rebuilds and re-installs...

I'm sorry, but there were a lot of words there, but none of them corrected your mistakes.

I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible.

Windows 'Standard' can be referred to as Windows Core. Roughly translated to Windows 7 Retail.

But the OP SKU(installation) may not be of Windows Core, but of Windows Core Single Language or Windows Core Country Specific , roughly translated to OEM.

If he tries to install a Single Language on a Country Specific install, he'll come up against problems that he simply won't understand.

Remember that the OP is not the only one reading this thread.
So better to give the correct information from the start, rather than let someone fumble along thinking that they 'have it in the bag'.


But I'm sorry, most of your post was just wrong.

I don't really want to go through it all, but as an example....

Win XP and Win 7 (never really did much on Vista) were the same, OEM keys needed OEM media, and retail keys will only work on retail media.

Is just wrong. For example you can activate a retail Windows 7 or XP for that matter, with the key on the COA at the bottom of the laptop. It's not a 'retail' key as such, but you can use it to activate the machine.

So that kind of statement is even more confusing than anything I have written. Simply because it isn't correct.

Better that I confuse the OP with the facts, than convince him with inaccuracies.

The OP has already told us that he has a DELL disc, so of course not from a 'smaller manufacturer'. Quite possibly Core Single Language. But then that would be written on the disc and the OP has made no mention of it.

If he used a Single Language disc on a Country Specific install he would get an incorrect product key message.

In your latest statement, you mention 'Activation 2.0 if you machine came with Windows 7). that would be SLP 2.1. 2.0 would be for Vista.

I really don't want to go through every line of your posts, especially as you are trying to be helpful and certainly
not wishing to get into a big debate about it, as I'm on holiday. So I want peace and love.

AlecEiffel

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

To clear up Qs-
-One laptop is Dell, the other (new) is HP.
-Both have 64 bit W8 non-pro or enterprise versions. I didn't call it 'Core' as I have never seen it called this anywhere (MS seems to simply refer to it as 'Windows 8' with no edition after it).
-Both had W8 installed at time of manufacture, no COA sticker is on either machine.
-The disc Dell sent is branded by Dell, but the install doesn't include any Dell software (such as was originally on the laptop when purchased) or Dell specific drivers, it appears to install a clean version of W8 and doesn't ask for any key during install. That was why I wrongly called it generic.

Anyway, I am happy to draw a line under this now, I will make the usual recovery discs for the HP and will leave the Dell disc for the Dell.

Thanks for the replies I have learned some things at least.

NiftyDigits

AlecEiffel wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

To clear up Qs-
-One laptop is Dell, the other (new) is HP.
-Both have 64 bit W8 non-pro or enterprise versions. I didn't call it 'Core' as I have never seen it called this anywhere (MS seems to simply refer to it as 'Windows 8' with no edition after it).
-Both had W8 installed at time of manufacture, no COA sticker is on either machine.
-The disc Dell sent is branded by Dell, but the install doesn't include any Dell software (such as was originally on the laptop when purchased) or Dell specific drivers, it appears to install a clean version of W8 and doesn't ask for any key during install. That was why I wrongly called it generic.

Anyway, I am happy to draw a line under this now, I will make the usual recovery discs for the HP and will leave the Dell dosc for the Dell.

Thanks for the replies I have learned some things at least.

You didn't clear up any Qs, you've simply repeated what you have already written.

Did you run the Command? What result did you get?

That's the whole point of Windows. It's all hidden underneath.

AlecEiffel

I am honestly happy to leave this now.

It will most probably never be required as I am making recovery discs, I was just really wanting to know for possible future reference if there was an issue with the recovery discs or if I decided to try a clean install.

I appreciate your input, and I have learned a little so I hope you don't feel you have wasted your time, but I will just keep things simple I think.