14 replies to this topic 1 votes

[THE_OBSERVER]

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.

[mrp04]

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.

[THE_OBSERVER]

mrp04, on 31 October 2012 - 01:28, said:

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.

[moloko]

Sure it is not on any paperwork that came with the computer. Either way might have to call Samsung.

[Piggy]

Did you check the manual? it could be in there.

[+skilithead]

th3r3turn, on 31 October 2012 - 01:24, said:

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.

There was a thread mentioning something about it earlier , here's the link to an article discussing it :http://www.tomshardw...soft,16636.html

[Ambroos]

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.

[THE_OBSERVER]

Ambroos, on 31 October 2012 - 02:03, said:

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!

[BajiRav]

Ambroos, on 31 October 2012 - 02:03, said:

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. Refresh my PC won't help if Samsung has saved the last state.

[typu]

i got a samsung ultrabook too and i need help with the following:

- i replace my ssd and obviously lose the windows 8 installation

- how can i re-install windows 8 on that new ssd?

[Aergan]

• 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

[xendrome]

CD-Key is built into the Bios. Windows 8 will detect it on a reinstall and load it automatically.

[Buzz99]

Your proof of license may be located under the battery....

[xendrome]

Buzz99, on 27 December 2012 - 19:18, said:

Your proof of license may be located under the battery....

Nope, see my post above.

[THE_OBSERVER]

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,