Reinstalling windows 8

First of all, I apologize if this has already been covered.

We bought a Gateway NE56R (Windows 8, preinstalled) at Christmas time. Yesterday the hard drive died and instead of sending it out to be repaired (under warranty) I took it to a computer repair shop in my town that II've used before. He's always done good work for me and isn't expensive. I figured I'd rather pay a little and not have to send the machine out and wait for it to come back.

The guy from the repair shop called me a little later to say that it was fixed and ready but that since there wasn't a windows product key on the machine I would need to call Gateway for it. When I looked online, however, I found that the product key is embedded in bios and that when windows 8 installs it should automatically recognize the version of windows that should be there and go ahead with the installation without needing a product key.

I haven't picked up the computer yet or had a chance to ask more questions but now I'm worried...If the machine is asking for a product key, how do I get it if there isn't one....?

 

You can't, unless it is taped to the machine.

If it is asking for a product key, he is installing an illegal copy of Windows 8.

He should be using the installed recovery partition.

 

I freely admit to not knowing much. Wouldn't the installed partition recovery be on the hard drive?

If this is true...what do I do now?

 

It would be on the hard drive. Assuming he didn't wipe the drive or replace it, it still should be there.

Otherwise, you can call Gateway and pay a modest fee for recovery media. They include a media creator, but this requires the user to create their own discs.

 

Sorry, I wasn't clear. He did replace the hard drive.

 

Then yes, call Gateway. It will probably be 20-25 dollars plus shipping.

 

The OP clearly stated that the hard drive died. Obviously, a recovery partition on a dead drive is a moot point.

OP, you will need the recovery media directly from Gateway, as Adrynalyne stated.

 

Thank you! I will call Gateway in the morning.