Installing Win8 to new HD

[moverton]

Just a general "Do I have to" question. But first, back story...

Purchased a HP desktop PC with Windows 7 in 2012. Took advantage of the upgrade to Windows 8 at a discount and received the key via email. All good to go, PC upgraded in 2013 to Win8. All is happy in the world...

Fast forward to Early May 2015. HD is DEAD. PC will not boot into Windows. I can access the disk through a live cd so sorta ok with that. Few more weeks pass and I'm finally ordering a new HD. I should arrive via UPS in the next couple hours. Now I'm trying to get prepped for the reinstall...

What I would like to happen is a straight reinstall of Windows 8 using my key from 2013. Would rather not have to install Win7 then upgrade to Win8. Chatted with MS and they said I would have to do Win7 to Win8 since key is an upgrade key. True? Do I have an alternative?

 

[teamgs]

Greetings,
Here is a site (sorry, new member, can't post links yet) that may be of interest: lifehacker.com/5984278/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-8-with-an-upgrade-disc

Looks like a simple regedit will correct any licensing issue after a fresh install with an upgrade cd. In the "olden" days, it was easy to use an upgrade CD for a fresh install, provided you had a CD of an older version of windows handy to plop in the CD tray when asked for it. The installer just needed to verify the key of an OS eligible for upgrade. Didn't have to actually be installed.

BTW, I had a similar issue with my Win8.1, where it suddenly booted only to a flashing cursor. First step was to run an HD diagnostic. After it passed that, I then booted to the Win8.1 DVD, and ran the repair option. Worked perfectly. I suspect something happened during some updates and the boot file was damaged.

Hope this helps!

Gary

 

[moverton]

Unfortunately, I don't have a Win8 disc. Only an upgrade license key. Gonna hunt through some backups and see if I can find an ISO to make a bootable USB or something....

 

[teamgs]

I am guessing that you used the MS upgrade assistant and didn't select the install using media option. In that case, I am not sure what your options are. If you did use the Install using media option, then there should have been an ISO saved somewhere.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

At least if you can do the install Win7 then upgrade route, it is just time spent, and you don't have to spend actual $$ for another version.

Gary

 

[moverton]

Yes, I did do the "Install using media" option... It's just finding that media now.

 

[moverton]

Got Win7 installed and got to thinking. Should I even bother with installing Win8? With Win10 coming at end of July, should I just wait?