Complicated Dell/Windows 8/Secure Boot Issue

By JustinTime
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JustinTime

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Just got my new Dell, it had Windows 8 Home 64-bit on it and tons of bloat/spamware. Some stuff you can't uninstall, including some mandatory apps. So I decided to do a clean install with my Windows 8 Pro disc. However I got "The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key." I found that has to do with Dell embedding the product key that came with it in BIOS, so a workaround is to install Vista or 7, which I did and then upgrade to 8 pro. Worked fine but now whenever I turn PC on, it says something like no boot device is found, SATA 0: Installed, SATA 1: Installed. So I changed boot mode in BIOS to Legacy from UIFE (I forgot the name) and it loads Windows 8 fine. However why can't I use UIFE with secure boot anymore and how do I restore that?

Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.

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SharpGreen

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Just got my new Dell, it had Windows 8 Home 64-bit on it and tons of bloat/spamware. Some stuff you can't uninstall, including some mandatory apps. So I decided to do a clean install with my Windows 8 Pro disc. However I got "The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key." I found that has to do with Dell embedding the product key that came with it in BIOS, so a workaround is to install Vista or 7, which I did and then upgrade to 8 pro. Worked fine but now whenever I turn PC on, it says something like no boot device is found, SATA 0: Installed, SATA 1: Installed. So I changed boot mode in BIOS to Legacy from UIFE (I forgot the name) and it loads Windows 8 fine. However why can't I use UIFE with secure boot anymore and how do I restore that?

Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.

Probably has something to do with the certificate used to make the UEFI SecureBoot work. Your Dell machine likely only has the certificate to make an Dell-specific copy of Windows work with secureboot, so really the only way to make it work again given that constraint is reinstall your OEM Window copy from the recovery disks (if you got them).

Unless I'm completely misunderstanding how SecureBoot works.

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

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  • MVC
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Just got my new Dell, it had Windows 8 Home 64-bit on it and tons of bloat/spamware. Some stuff you can't uninstall, including some mandatory apps. So I decided to do a clean install with my Windows 8 Pro disc. However I got "The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key." I found that has to do with Dell embedding the product key that came with it in BIOS, so a workaround is to install Vista or 7, which I did and then upgrade to 8 pro. Worked fine but now whenever I turn PC on, it says something like no boot device is found, SATA 0: Installed, SATA 1: Installed. So I changed boot mode in BIOS to Legacy from UIFE (I forgot the name) and it loads Windows 8 fine. However why can't I use UIFE with secure boot anymore and how do I restore that?

Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.

Are you using a full windows 8 disc or the upgrade disc?

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JustinTime

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In case anyone has a similar issue, the Windows 8 Home 64-bit DVD worked perfectly. I restored UEFI and SecureBoot, popped the disc in and it automatically began the installation process with SecureBoot enabled. If anyone buys a Dell, call and request the DVD so you can format without hassle. Thanks for helping, Sharp.

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SharpGreen

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In case anyone has a similar issue, the Windows 8 Home 64-bit DVD worked perfectly. I restored UEFI and SecureBoot, popped the disc in and it automatically began the installation process with SecureBoot enabled. If anyone buys a Dell, call and request the DVD so you can format without hassle. Thanks for helping, Sharp.

You're welcome :)

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SharpGreen

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Ya I think the upgrade disc was your issue. You need a full version disc. It doesn't have to be from dell.

It does have to be from Dell if Dell's keys are the only ones that UEFI recognizes on his machine.

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

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It does have to be from Dell if Dell's keys are the only ones that UEFI recognizes on his machine.

IF that is the case then yes. But we won't know if that's the case and I doubt it was. He was just using an update disc. At least on an HP probook which came with windows 8 preinstalled I reinstalled using a pro disc on a new drive. It never asked for a key and it activated by itself.

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SharpGreen

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IF that is the case then yes. But we won't know if that's the case and I doubt it was. He was just using an update disc. At least on an HP probook which came with windows 8 preinstalled I reinstalled using a pro disc on a new drive. It never asked for a key and it activated by itself.

I was just reading about how the SecureBoot thing works with Win8, and it seems MS leaves it up to OEM to make the keys. I would also guess that different OEMs use different processes. I really don't know.

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

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I was just reading about how the SecureBoot thing works with Win8, and it seems MS leaves it up to OEM to make the keys. I would also guess that different OEMs use different processes. I really don't know.

I would think there would be a pretty standard process. I don't think it matters the OEM. If it mattered it would be a repair nightmare with out a sticker. Seeming my experience with a clean install it worked just as i hoped it would.

Apprentice

Empyrean Glow

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The embedded key will match whichever version of 8 shipped with the PC. A downloaded 'Core/Home' disc would have installed and been automatically activated, just the same as the OEM disc shipped to you by Dell.

I know this because I, too, just purchased a Dell system and jumped through the same hoops. A DigitalRiver .iso installed and auto-activated exactly the same as the Dell OEM disc I had them mail me.

Grand Master

spaceelf

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Just got my new Dell, it had Windows 8 Home 64-bit on it and tons of bloat/spamware. Some stuff you can't uninstall, including some mandatory apps. So I decided to do a clean install with my Windows 8 Pro disc.

Just for future reference

http://blogs.msdn.co...et-your-pc.aspx

Our solution in Windows 8 consists of two related features:

  • Reset your PC ? Remove all personal data, apps, and settings from the PC, and reinstall Windows.
  • Refresh your PC ? Keep all personal data, Metro style apps, and important settings from the PC, and reinstall Windows.

I don't think you needed to reinstall manually at all.

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