New Samsung Ultrabook with Windows 8


Recommended Posts

So i just got me a 13" Samsung Ultrabook. I want to do a fresh install of Windows 8, any ideas on where my CDKEY is?? Used to be CD Key on the bottom.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sometimes it's placed on the power adapter. Sometimes there's a little flap you can lift up. It really depends. Look at your manual.

Yea check everywhere. mmmm maybe i need to contact samsung.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You're not really supposed to fully reinstall Windows, you can use the "refresh my PC" thingy.

Microsoft has a completely new OEM installation type since Windows 8 that makes it a lot harder to pirate Windows. With Windows 7 all laptops of the same type shared an embedded license in the BIOS that could be validated with the right certificate file. With Windows 8 now every machine has a unique identifier.

You could try if ABR still works on Windows 8. It's a tool that backs up the license information on the software side: http://directedge.us/content/abr-activation-backup-and-restore

It worked brilliantly in 7 and will still only work on your own laptop since the license info is linked to the BIOS, but I'm not sure if Microsoft's changes in 8 broke the tool. Could be worth a shot.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You're not really supposed to fully reinstall Windows, you can use the "refresh my PC" thingy.

Microsoft has a completely new OEM installation type since Windows 8 that makes it a lot harder to pirate Windows. With Windows 7 all laptops of the same type shared an embedded license in the BIOS that could be validated with the right certificate file. With Windows 8 now every machine has a unique identifier.

You could try if ABR still works on Windows 8. It's a tool that backs up the license information on the software side: http://directedge.us...kup-and-restore

It worked brilliantly in 7 and will still only work on your own laptop since the license info is linked to the BIOS, but I'm not sure if Microsoft's changes in 8 broke the tool. Could be worth a shot.

thanks for that! yea i want to upgrade the HD to SSD!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You're not really supposed to fully reinstall Windows, you can use the "refresh my PC" thingy.

Microsoft has a completely new OEM installation type since Windows 8 that makes it a lot harder to pirate Windows. With Windows 7 all laptops of the same type shared an embedded license in the BIOS that could be validated with the right certificate file. With Windows 8 now every machine has a unique identifier.

what? It is completely legal to re-install a fresh copy using OEM key. :huh: Refresh my PC won't help if Samsung has saved the last state.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

  • Grab a retail ISO that matches your version that was installed by your OEM (Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro)
  • Use Windows 7 Store USB tool to create a bootable 4GB+ USB stick
  • Use the bypass product key request during install fix (Google/Bing for Windows 8 create ei.cfg)
  • Add your ei.cfg into sources dir on the USB stick
  • Boot off of USB stick
  • Proceed to fresh install
  • After installation connect to the internet and run Windows Updates
  • Fingers crossed, your EFI firmware should activate your copy of Windows 8

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had the same issue! On boot press F4 you should get into a a recovery option. Plug your SSD into a usb 2 sata port and then you can copy the HD onto SSD drive. BACKUP everything,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.