Windows 8 OEM Lenovo Required

[snagrat]

I'm on the lookout for a copy of Windows 8 OEM from Lenovo.

 

I need to return 120 laptops under a elase and they need to be returned to their original state.

 

I do hope this request is allowed and not breaking rules.

 

If anyone has a copy I would appreciate it.

[Arthur]

Download ISO from Microsoft.

 

www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows8

[snagrat]

That only allows 8.1.

 

How will OEM work with that?

[NB9457]

By original state, surely that would just mean charger, battery, no missing keys/parts and powers on?

 

Seems strange as they'll have to wipe them again anyway I'm sure to ensure they are empty for when they sell them.

 

Also, if you're volume licensed, get one there?

[snagrat]

Volume licenses wouldn't be OEM and therefore wouldn't activate would it?

 

Also this is a home license, not pro so I don't have that on my list of downloads

[NB9457]

I'm not sure with 10 whether you have to upgrade for it to activate, because you can get the ISO from their site for free!

 

Does seem odd them wanting them back with an OS

[snagrat]

They want the manuals as well....but no chance that is happening!

[NB9457]

They sound a bit of a nightmare company!

[Arthur]

How will OEM work with that?

That ISO will read the OEM product key that's stored in the UEFI or BIOS.

Edited June 28, 2016 by Arthur

[Guest WMITTech]

I might have a copy if you still need it?

[Arthur]

How will OEM work with that?

 

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/02/save-yourself-from-your-oems-bad-decisions-with-a-clean-install-of-windows-8-1

 

Windows 8 made reinstalling Windows on OEM systems much easier. Changes to SLP mean that vanilla Microsoft install media can still look for those text strings and activate if it finds them. That's why most PCs now lack the product key stickers that were stuck all over Windows 7 PCs; even for users who want to reinstall Windows, they're not really necessary anymore unless you're installing a version of Windows that's different from what came with the system.

 

Windows restore media created with the Windows Installation Media Creation Tool will install and activate just fine on systems that shipped with Windows 8.0 and include a Windows 8.0 SLP key in their BIOS.

 

http://www.askvg.com/official-tool-to-download-windows-8-1-setup-iso-and-create-installation-media

 

... there is no need to use any workaround as Microsoft has released a free official tool to download Windows 8.1 setup ISO and create its installation media. You can use this tool to save Windows 8.1 ISO file to your computer and then create bootable USB flash drive or bootable DVD to install Windows 8.1 in any computer.

Edited June 28, 2016 by Arthur

[snagrat]

It's not that I don't believe you but haven't had time to try it yet.

[snagrat]

I might have a copy if you still need it?

 

Would be great if it can be uploaded to somewhere?

[Guest WMITTech]

Yeah I have a couple of CD's that Lenovo sent me. When I'm in be office tomorrow I'll drop you a message

[Guest WMITTech]

Sorry it's 8.1? Is that any good still ?

[snagrat]

I can give it a go.

 

Is it home or pro?

[Allie]

This whole situation is bizarre, but I would honestly just install Windows 10. It'll activate against the key in EFI, pick the right edition, everything. It's easy and should keep them happy. It's... odd and a nightmare they'd want them back with an OS.

[snagrat]

I'm not sure that Windows 10 would activate but I've managed to get the Windows 8 setup now and all is good

[Allie]

I'm not sure that Windows 10 would activate but I've managed to get the Windows 8 setup now and all is good

 

As of now, Windows 10 will activate on any computer that was shipped with Windows 8 Home/Pro or newer (Windows logo program). Which is interesting, because supposedly that'll be a "paid" upgrade at the end of this month. I don't believe that for one second, but it'll be interesting to see if it changes.

[NviGate_Systems]

There is a Lenovo OneKey Restore DVD that is floating around the net which will restore the ability to use the "One Key Button" if the units are equipped with it. It's in Chinese and requires patience but does work. Or if you want, I can give you the scripts required to make Windows 8 Recovery USB's with one master installation image. The scripts will ensure each machine has a working recovery partition. Even if you do a OEM install, you can still "Lenovofy" it, install drivers, sysprep then add the image to a recovery USB to reload all the machines quickly and easily.

[Allie]

There is a Lenovo OneKey Restore DVD that is floating around the net which will restore the ability to use the "One Key Button" if the units are equipped with it. It's in Chinese and requires patience but does work. Or if you want, I can give you the scripts required to make Windows 8 Recovery USB's with one master installation image. The scripts will ensure each machine has a working recovery partition. Even if you do a OEM install, you can still "Lenovofy" it, install drivers, sysprep then add the image to a recovery USB to reload all the machines quickly and easily.

 

This whole situation makes me even more sceptical of leasing than I already was (I think it's rarely good value for money as kit often has useful life to the school long after its defined life cycle - it can get given to projects and labs with worse funding for example). But for them to make the OP re-image machines adds so much time that the value of the lease vanishes even further.

[snagrat]

This whole situation makes me even more sceptical of leasing than I already was (I think it's rarely good value for money as kit often has useful life to the school long after its defined life cycle - it can get given to projects and labs with worse funding for example). But for them to make the OP re-image machines adds so much time that the value of the lease vanishes even further.

 

Agreed.

 

The school also have to send them back at their cost.

 

This is 120 laptops so will need to go on a pallet and be packaged well somehow