How to Verify if Hard Drive is Dead or Alive?

NiftyDigits

Install from boot, not from within Windows. Just choose the Core Edition option on installation.

pennypincher3562

Ok, I am afraid it is indeed asking me for an activation key. I did not use the original link supplied by Nifty Digits as it was 2am (don't leave laptop on at night as power supply often overheats.)

I have downloaded Windows 8.1 English Edition 64 bit, direct from Microsoft using my own link.

pennypincher3562

_gav_ wrote: »

*IF* you used the correct version of Windows 8.1 then no key should be necessary, as it should be within the BIOS.....that's a big if! Did you install the exact same version that was on there before?

I downloaded Win 8.1 Single Language (English) 64 bit. In response to Nifty Digits, I am trying to install it from boot - it's successfully booting up, but asks for key before installation proceeds.

NiftyDigits

Choose to skip that part for now.

en-GB or en-US?

NiftyDigits

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

I downloaded Win 8.1 Single Language (English) 64 bit. In response to Nifty Digits, I am trying to install it from boot - it's successfully booting up, but asks for key before installation proceeds.

Wrong image. It's not the Single Language edition.

pennypincher3562

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Wrong image. It's not the Single Language edition.

I am presuming that it's just the Windows 8.1 ISO I select (first option)?

Thanks, will try again later...

NiftyDigits

One more time...

Windows 8.1 English International 64bit

pennypincher3562

NiftyDigits wrote: »

One more time...

Windows 8.1 English International 64bit

Thanks, Will download now.

pennypincher3562

So far so good. Windows 8.1 is now installing (without being prompted for activation key,) after I downloaded the correct ISO.

I also had to format C:, and use the Windows setup to delete the existing partition, and then create the correct ones before it would install.

Will get on to the drivers later. Thanks for all the suggestions.

NiftyDigits

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

So far so good. Windows 8.1 is now installing (without being prompted for activation key,) after I downloaded the correct ISO.

I also had to format C:, and use the Windows setup to delete the existing partition, and then create the correct ones before it would install.

Will get on to the drivers later. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Yes. You need to choose Drive options (Advanced) during the installation in order to delete the existing partitions in order to install to unallocated space.

Before you get too involved with setting the machine up, you might wish instead to run an upgrade or clean install of Windows 10 by Friday, in so that the owner is registered for Windows 10 digital entitlement. They may chose to keep it or to roll back to Windows 8.1.