Put My Old Hardrive Into Another Computer But Wont Update Os

Hi all I put my old good harddrive into a older computer but it was windows 8 and tried to update it to 10 but it would not let me it said I need a product key and would not accept my original so do I need to buy a new product Key for 10 or 8?

Thanks

 

So did it boot to Win 8 and operate normally? It connected to the net?

 

Yes to all the above. However it wont let me upgrade without a product key. crazy!

 

Win 10 should let you skip the key so you have 30 days to try it on you hardware before activating the new installation. Did you not see a 'skip' or 'I'll activate' later? Did you try to do a live install or download an ISO?

 

It may be that the original Win 8 installation was an OEM (the computer manufacturer contracted with MS for bulk licensing) in which case the original product key will only work on the original computer. OEM licensing ties the product key to the motherboard the OS was bundled with. The only way to do the upgrade without a valid product key is a full retail "cold" install and not an upgrade.

 

Okay you mean buy a full windows 10 disc or a an 8?

 

If you want '10 just go straight to it. Here is a good MajorGeeks article on '10 keys.

https://www.majorgeeks.com/content/page/do_cheap_windows_10_keys_really_work.html

At the bottom of the article is a link to a site to get keys....

https://mysoftwarekeys.com/product-category/windows/windows-10/ref/5/?campaign=Win10

Probably some members know of cheaper ways and maybe can chime in to help save you some $$s

 

I bought a windows 10 Pro key but it did not work so not sure what is going on. Argh!!

 

Read through this page and follow the steps that fit your situation

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

 

I already did that but it asks for an activation key and I put it in and it does not work. So frustrating

 

What did you select here?

 

Upgrade pc now

 

I am wondering how to uninstall it then reinstall it again.

 

You need to burn the .iso to a DVD, then use it to upgrade. The license key may very well work that way.

 

Can you show me steps on how to do that?

 

Pick the second option. Put a DVD in the drive. Let the Upgrade Tool burn the DVD. Use the DVD to upgrade.

 

After you pick the second option as @the mekanic is saying pick the 'ISO' option on the next screen.

 

Okay I will do that now.

 

Now the key I have is for Windows Pro now do I have to get a regular windows 10 key to install first, Or should this work?

 

Okay downloaded to flash drive what is the next step?

 

This is the steps on the next section in my original link... you're almost there.

 

Thanks but did not get my answer, about can I use windows pro key or do I have to buy a home windows key for the reinstall?

 

Have you got to the screen where is list version to select?


"When you create a bootable USB of Windows 10 using the ISO and attempt to install Windows 10 from it, the setup of Windows 10 automatically checks your BIOS/UEFI for embedded product key (if available), and installs the right version based on its findings. And when you are installing Windows 10 on a new PC or on a PC without the embedded product key, it displays the prompt asking you to select the edition of Windows 10 that you would like to install."

 

According to other threads here and also else where on the net, you can skip the key and put it in later. Look here to see about not putting it in.... you can activate your choice later.

https://www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key-to-install-and-use-windows-10/

 

Okay great thank you so much. I will see what happens when I install it. I will keep you posted.

 

Well this is interesting I am just now able to download windows 10 then the computer wanted to upgrade to windows 8.1, So now I waiting for that to finish so I can get started...

 

Techwoman said " I put my old good harddrive into a older computer ".

Where did the old good harddrive come from, and what older computer did you put it in?

 

That should have started happening yesterday if you were going through the steps that were being outlined.


What happened, or what changed?

 

I stated that in the beginning of all this. So nothing has changed. I put my old Hp harddrive in my friends Tosheba Laptop because they could not afford a new laptop. It is a good harddrive it was used for a short period of time. It is windows 8 and I was just trying to update it to 10 is all that, was why I was asking how do I go about doing that.

 

The laptop is a Tosheba C55D-A5120 Laptop that was also a windows 8 at one point. The same harddrive as the Hp.

 

At this point, I would do a clean install of Windows 10 using a DVD or flash drive using the original key from the laptop. Did you pull the original license key from the old hard drive/BIOS so you'd have it?

 

Yes I did ages ago but not sure it that was the windows 10 key or the original 8 key or does it matter? I put the old harddrive in to see if I could resurrect it but it keeps giving me a black screen so frustrating. lol I tried repairing it from the dvd boot but still a black screen it just wont boot. I finally got it to the sign in but then black screen. Argh! lol

 

You cannot just transfer a hard drive from one computer to another.
Drivers, both software and hardware, will be missing.

Your only option is to format the drive and do a fresh install of Windows.

 

At last!

 

Maybe.....

 

I am just learning this stuff have patients with me. Thanks

 

In hindsight, I would have kept the old, good harddrive as is for it's machine and bought a small harddrive for this project.

I recently bought a 1tb internal desktop drive for 54$ from a local non-profit. They had several 2.5" drive for less $. All new drives in new shipping wrap/plastic.

I had an existing '7 ultimate iso and used Rufus with a usb and then booted and installed to the new drive in 15 minutes flat.

Now you have the iso, and created the boot usb, how has the project gone?

 

Here goes my old "hardware mapping" speech. With Windows 10, you can swap the drive and it will rebuild the driver database. With older kernels, no so much.

Best bet is nuke the drive, and install W10.

 

I wonder if it's done already? But with 2 different owners and maybe distance involved (?) and the workweek, might be the weekend before we find out?

 

Ok well I wiped the original Harddrive clean that came with the laptop because it would not repair or recover to reinstall windows 10 but now I am getting the following error, Those who are helping me can you please tell me know to fix the error I would greatly appreciate it, Here is a picture of the error code I am getting.

 

Here's a page of a few things good to check.

The main being.... what bit is the machine -- 32 or 64 bit--- and does your iso match.

Is both the usb used to boot and the hard drive to hold windows both known to be good.

All memory in use known to be good.


https://windowsreport.com/windows-cannot-install-required-files-windows-10/

 

Thanks I put in my old but new harddrive in and it worked great! I did use the usb thanks! It is faster and is working wonderfully and I did not need a key for it to work just FYI if someone else runs into this issue..

 

Good for you!! Glad to see you got it done. Let us know the progress. Do you like? Do the owners like it. Did it activate and did you get’pro’?

 

Welcome to Windows 10, I'm loving it. Really feels like Windows has finally moved on.

 

Yes they love it and it is fast! No did not need a key to activate it.