My Win 8 got deactivated, how to reactivate...one more question..

By keysteele
in Microsoft (Windows)

 Share

Recommended Posts

Community Regular

keysteele

Posted
Posted

I had my laptop fixed and Win 7 was put back on by my OEM, I put Win 8 on it, and by playing with some applications while I was putting everything back on it it now says it's deactivated and when go to Windows activation click the activate button I get a error code: 0x8007232B and DNS name does not exist. I have a legit key so I don't quite understand.

And part 2 of my question, when I tried to a clean install of Win8 it wouldn't let me telling me that the primary partition couldn't be used. the only thing I could do was do a Win 7 to Win 8 upgrade. When I first got this machine in Oct of last year, I don't think it did that when I put Win 8 on it, I could be wrong, I can't remember. But I still want to do a clean install before I put too much stuff on it. Thanks in advance.

Mentor

ESC@PE

Posted
Posted

So should I back up that partition, I have an external harddrive.

I guess that's a personal preference thing. I don't particularly care about those built-in restore systems; I usually format the drive cleanly and just install the OS over it. I've never found those recovery systems to be worthwhile. (But that's just me, you should make a backup anyway just to feel safe)

As for your other screen shot there ^ I would just click OK for MBR, it should be fine.

Mentor

Radium

Posted
Posted

Try to use DISKPART.

Open CMD as administrator and start Diskpart.

Type HELP for a list of commands.

LIST will help you list your disks, volumes etc.

There are some attributes that should protect from being deleted. If you can't delete a partition, then you could do a force deletion through DISKPART.

There are plenty of DISKPART examples on the web. The ATTRIBUTES command will allow you to read and write attributes.

I'm not familiar how the GUI version works. If a partitioning software complies with the standard then you'll have do a bit more to remove OEM partitions.

You could give DISKPART a chance. :)

Community Regular

keysteele

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks it worked out...now I want to do a clean install of Win 8 since this was a upgrade from OEM Win 7, now its telling me that I have to change from MBR to GPT. From what I've been reading I have to delete the volume I'm currently using? Then convert it to GPT. Now I know in my BOIS my boot is set to legacy boot currently, do i leave it that way? And I do see that there is a program that will convert MBR to GPT its Paragon, now if I use this would all I have to is reboot with the install disk and install Win 8?

Mentor

Radium

Posted
Posted

I don't quite follow.

What's telling you that GPT is required?

If you're looking for UEFI support then legacy mode should be disabled. Doing so will remove the chance of booting the Windows 8 installation program with legacy boot loader.

DISKPART can convert from MBR to GPT.

Converting to GPT will clear the whole disk since the whole partition table is completely different and it has a copy of the table located at the end of the disc. So one bad sector will not screw your whole partition table.

So for simplicity and ease of use, conversion erases the whole disk.

If UEFI is fully supported, then you'll get UEFI boot loaders as boot options in your BIOS/UEFI menus.

If the Windows 8 installer is booted using the UEFI boot loader located on the installation medium and if you try to install Windows 8 on a GPT disk then it will create three partitions. MBR or legacy mode, will make it create just two partitions.

If you want to change from MBR to GPT without erasing Everything on that disk, then I can't help you.

I recommend that you start with an empty disk when you go from MBR to GPT and want to install Windows 8.

When I installed Windows 8 for the first time, then I converted my other disks to GPT as well.

Community Regular

keysteele

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I don't quite follow.

What's telling you that GPT is required?

If you're looking for UEFI support then legacy mode should be disabled. Doing so will remove the chance of booting the Windows 8 installation program with legacy boot loader.

DISKPART can convert from MBR to GPT.

Converting to GPT will clear the whole disk since the whole partition table is completely different and it has a copy of the table located at the end of the disc. So one bad sector will not screw your whole partition table.

So for simplicity and ease of use, conversion erases the whole disk.

If UEFI is fully supported, then you'll get UEFI boot loaders as boot options in your BIOS/UEFI menus.

If the Windows 8 installer is booted using the UEFI boot loader located on the installation medium and if you try to install Windows 8 on a GPT disk then it will create three partitions. MBR or legacy mode, will make it create just two partitions.

If you want to change from MBR to GPT without erasing Everything on that disk, then I can't help you.

I recommend that you start with an empty disk when you go from MBR to GPT and want to install Windows 8.

When I installed Windows 8 for the first time, then I converted my other disks to GPT as well.

When I try to install Win 8, not a upgrade since I'm already using it, so when I go to pick the c: partition it says that i cannot install on that partition, because it has to be converted to GPT. So basically this disk gets wiped then? I have Lenovo Ideapad P580, got it last fall, it has 8gb of ram and is a i7....So is it nessary for me to change the boot loader or do I just leave it the way it is?

As for the conversion from MBR to GPT, I don't have a empty disk, I'll be using what I'm writing this right now, but Since I just got it back not too long ago, from being fixed, I don't really mind losing everything.

Community Regular

keysteele

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Copy all important files to a USB device or another PC via LAN.

That's the only advice I can give.

Ok I just want to know if I even need to bother with the messing with the bootloader, switching from legacy to UEFI?

Community Regular

keysteele

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I haven't gotten around to changing it yet, but I'm going to do it now soo, I'm going to convert it using diskpart. I have a system drivers partition, bedsides my OS partition, when I went to delete that volume in diskpart it said that it the device is in use, does it really matter? Do I just override and delete? And when I do should I extend my OS volume to gobble it up? One last thing...when I am going to delete my OS volume and then convert to GPT will this all really take place after I reboot, I guess what I am saying is I can do all of that while I'm in the OS I'm deleting and converting to GPT?

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • Creative Sound Blaster AE-X PCIe review: your headphones will love it

      By Taliseian · Posted

      Thanks for the info, but I'm still not sure if I need this....
    • We check out the SKG PS700 Neck Massager

      By Steven P. · Posted

      We check out the SKG PS700 Neck Massager by Steven Parker I was offered the chance to test out the SKG PS700 Neck Massager, and full disclosure, they let me keep it regardless of my findings. Anyway, I jumped at the chance due to my long hours sitting at my desk; I figured it could offer some neck pain relief. What's in the box: SKG PS700-2 Neck Massager Rechargeable Battery (inside massager) Type-C USB cable User Manual Quick Start guide 1-Year Warranty In short, everything you need to get started. According to the official listing, here are the key features: Biomimetic Kneading & High Torque Motor: Designed with innovative biomimetic kneading heads that perfectly simulate the touch of human hands. Powered by a high-torque motor, this massager delivers powerful and precise deep tissue relief to effectively target stiff neck muscles and release built-up tension Soothing Heat & Integrated Sound Relaxation: Experience the ultimate Relaxationation with our dual-action approach. The soothing heat function gently warms your neck, while the built-in sound Relaxation provides calming audio tracks, helping you achieve a state of mindfulness and mental tranquility during your physical massage Cordless Convenience & Travel-Ready & Father's Day Gifts: Crafted for maximum portability and ease of use. Its lightweight, cordless design allows you to enjoy a premium massage anywhere without the hassle of tangled wires-whether you're taking a quick break at your desk or winding down at home Versatile Relief for Home & Office: An essential wellness companion for office workers, gamers, frequent travelers, or anyone looking to integrate mindfulness into their daily routine. It seamlessly fits into your lifestyle, providing instant neck relief whenever and wherever you need it Safe & Premium Materials: Manufactured with high-quality, skin-friendly materials to ensure a safe and comfortable experience without irritation. SKG backs this device with dedicated customer service, making it a thoughtful tech-health gift for family and friends App & Bluetooth Music Control: Connect via Bluetooth to control your massage settings through the dedicated app and enjoy your favorite music during your massage session for a fully customizable and immersive relaxation experience Red Light Warmth Technology: Features advanced red light warmth technology that penetrates deep into neck muscles to enhance blood circulation and provide soothing comfort while relieving muscle tension and stiffness Design With all that out of the way, here are my own findings. SKG does not say what materials are used to make the neck massager. However, on the product website, it mentions "soft-touch silicone" with what looks like PU leather cushioning, with the rest being mostly made up of plastics. On the inside of the massager, there are two "biomimetic kneading heads" that are motorized for the different styles of massage, which are not actually listed at all in the paper user manual, but the standard included modes are: De-stress mode, Mediation mode, Relax mode, Shiatsu mode. The massager looks quite premium and is actually very comfortable to wear. This massager is small and light enough to go anywhere, as it doesn't get in the way of anything, so I was able to use it in the chair while writing this review. Unlike the back massager, SKG does not warn in the user guide not to use it for more than 30 minutes a day (or two 15-minute sessions). However, there is a long laundry list of important safeguards to consider before and during the use of the device, and it is warned that the neck massager is not waterproof. It also includes a 1,400mAh battery with a rated power of 14W and input of 5V, which is the standard for up to USB 3.0 power (although the Amperage is not mentioned at all). SKG does not say how long it takes to charge, but a quick calculation at 2A (if that is what it is) would mean it would take roughly 1.5 hrs to charge from empty. In any case, the light around the button changes from orange to green on a full charge. In addition, it is not possible to use the device while it is charging. On the right of the neck massager is the On/Off and modes button, which also acts as a joystick. You can operate all the modes directly from the power button, as well as the app, which I'll get into a bit later: Push up: Short press to adjust Heat levels On/Off button: long press Mode Switching: Short press (while in operation) ➕ Push left: increase Music volume ➖ push right: decrease Music volume Push down: Short-press to turn Music on or off The massager defaults to De-stress mode, and it is not stated anywhere if the neck massager has overheat protection. This time around, regarding heat, the only detail I could find is that it has "triple action soothing heat." The temperature stages are not listed anywhere in the paper manual, Amazon listing, or official website. The heat levels can be adjusted through the app or directly on the device using the joystick button. Usage There's also the SKG Health app, which makes using the massager far easier than feeling around for the button on the side of your neck. If the app is stopped, you are required to log in with a verification code over email, which I am not too pleased with, as this means it will only work that way for however long SKG decides to support it through said app. However, I was not able to get the app to connect to the OS500, which I have reported back to my contact. Bluetooth appeared to be working on the neck massager as it became available to pair with my phone, but the SKG app failed to discover it. Before I forget, there's also a switch next to the USB charging port to deactivate and activate the Voice Prompt, which, when enabled, audibly tells the user when switching intensities, modes, or connecting to the app and informs when the massages start and are completed. That said, on to my likes and dislikes, which are listed below. What I didn't like Unable to connect the Neck Massager to the app Use through the mobile app relies on continued support from SKG What I liked Can be used without the app Cordless use Light and comfortable to wear Heat is also quite comfortable Where to buy: According to the official website, this has an MSRP of $249.99, but is currently $50 (on Amazon). To sweeten the deal a bit more, there's also an in-page coupon that knocks a further $20 off the price. SKG PS700-2 Neck Massager for $179.99 on Amazon (was $199.99) Apply the in-page $20 off coupon for the final price of $179.99 Just like the back massager, this gets a confused thumbs up (due to the cost). However, I cannot rate it through app usage as it failed to connect. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • This Samsung T7 external SSD deal lasts less than a day

      By hellowalkman · Posted

      This Samsung T7 external SSD deal lasts less than a day by Sayan Sen Recently we had covered some nice deals of internal NVMe SSDs which include the 4TB TeamGroup G50 for only $400, the WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB for just $243, as well as the Samsung 990 PRO 1TB for $370. If however you require an external SSD for portability and quick data transfers and have a budget of less than $200 the Samsung T7 1TB model is currently on a limited time deal at just $190, it's lowest price in nearly three months. The deal ends today so you better hurry if you need one (purchase link below). The T7 weighs in at just 72 grams meaning it should be fairly easy to carry around helping in the portability department. Via its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface the T7 promises sequential read speeds of up to 1050 MB/s and writes of 1000 MB/s. It is also fairly robust with a drop protection of up to 2 meters, though bear in mind that this is not waterproof. For that you will have to choose the rugged T7 Shield. The technical specifications of the Samsung T7 1TB are given in the table below: Specification Value Model Code (1TB) MU-PC1T0T / MU-PC1T0H Interface USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Dimensions (W × H × D) 85 × 57 × 8 mm Weight 72 g Sequential Read Speed Up to 1,050 MB/s Sequential Write Speed Up to 1,000 MB/s Drop Resistance Up to 2 m (6.6 ft) Encryption AES 256-bit hardware encryption Operating Temperature 0°C to 60°C Non-Operating Temperature -40°C to 85°C Humidity 5% to 95% (non-condensing) Shock Resistance 1,500 G, duration 0.5 ms, 3-axis (non-operating) Vibration Resistance 20–2,000 Hz, 20 G (non-operating) Get it at the link below: Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, MU-PC1T0T/AM, Gray: $189.98 (Sold and Shipped by Amazon US) Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Microsoft confirms Windows 11 26H2 to finally get one of the most requested features

      By notta · Posted

      I just wish they would put more love into Virtual Desktops. There is just so much more they could do.
    • Creative Sound Blaster AE-X PCIe review: your headphones will love it

      By Steven P. · Posted

      Sounds like you just skimmed over the review, I answer all those questions in it. Although I admit I did not test if DTS works over the headphones, when I get some time I will test this. My personal use case is more speaker-driven (I cover this in the review too).

  • Recent Achievements

    • Dedicated
      Almohandis earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • Dedicated
      JuvenileDelinquent earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • First Post
      DrWankel earned a badge
      First Post
    • Reacting Well
      DrWankel earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • Week One Done
      Supreme Spray LV earned a badge
      Week One Done

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      505
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      184
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      84
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      78
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      76
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!