Problem with a Dell tablet

[tinpanalley]

Ok, I need advice, I have no idea what to do...
I have a Dell Venue 8 Pro that's still in great shape. Hardware works beautifully. I bought it when it came out and it had problems, they were know at the time so Dell offered to fix it for me on warranty, they did, I got a new Product Key with that repair. It ran 8.1.

When Windows10 came out they were talking about how the tablet would upgrade fine. So, myself and several others upgraded to 10.

Turns out 10 didn't run so fine, slowness issues, network adapter bugs, etc so several of us contacted Dell (this was about 4 years ago) and Dell told me, "we're sorry... here, take this free flash drive and special OTG adapter and it will let you flash back to what it was when you bought it". I didn't do it right away, left it on Windows10, but I decided this week since I had turned it into a full time reader and web search device for the coffee table that I just wanted 8.1 on there. So much faster, super fast and smooth. So, I flashed back the stock install they gave me.

...it won't recognise the Product Key. Windows says it's not their fault and can't validate for me because Dell made the special tablet version of 8.1, Dell says I'm out of my warranty, and Microsoft can't sell me an 8.1 license anymore. Somehow in this cluster#uck of companies abandoning their customers, I've fallen in a hole nobody wants to help me out of.

I just want 8.1 running on here and licensed. Nothing more. Any ideas what I can do?

 

[Steltek]

Hey, I had one of those. The battery swelled up and literally exploded the screen on it.

Which model Venue do you have (5830, 5855, etc)?

After you installed Windows 10, did you by chance install the Dell Windows 10 driver pack for Venue Pro 8 on it after you upgraded it? Supposedly, it made Win10 work better on the hardware.

 

[tinpanalley]

Hey, I had one of those. The battery swelled up and literally exploded the screen on it.

Which model Venue do you have (5830, 5855, etc)?

Also, did you install the Windows 10 driver pack for Venue Pro 8 on it after you upgraded it? Supposedly, it made Win10 work better on the hardware.

I have the 5830. I don't recall if I did the driver pack but just the whole Win10 experience doesn't work on this tablet. 8.1 was perfect for touch screens on an 8" tablet. Basically at this point, neither MS nor Dell wants to help me. I'm considering Linux. But i know what touch screen distro is best.

 

[Steltek]

Is the Win8.1 flash drive they sent you labeled just as Win8.1, or 8.1 with Bing?

Also, will Win8.1 actually install on the tablet from your flash drive (i.e. will it let you skip entering the key during the install) even though it won't activate? If so, does the wireless LAN driver work?

EDIT:

I've located a Win8.1 with Bing ISO that I think might work for you. Post back and I will give you instructions on where to get it and what to do with it when you get it.

In case you need them, the Dell Venue 8 Pro drivers for Windows 8.1 are located on here on the Dell support site. You may need some of them as the ISO I have access to probably doesn't have any embedded Dell drivers and some of the drivers probably won't be picked up by the Windows install.

Windows 8.1 keycodes are normally embedded in the BIOS of compatible devices. As a result, I would also suggest using one of these utilities to obtain the Win8.1 keycode embedded in the BIOS of your Venue Pro (it is best to have it available and not need it rather than need it and not have it handy). Since you have an obvious installation media/keycode mismatch, it is also possible the new keycode Dell gave you might also work just fine with this ISO.

 

[tinpanalley]

Is the Win8.1 flash drive they sent you labeled just as Win8.1, or 8.1 with Bing?

Neither. It's a DELL flash drive and an OTG cable. No documentation in what they sent other than an instruction manual for how to flash. ..which wasn't really very accurate because it didn't say I'd end up with NO drivers or firmware for THIS particular device.

Also, will Win8.1 actually install on the tablet from your flash drive (i.e. will it let you skip entering the key during the install) even though it won't activate? If so, does the wireless LAN driver work?

Not sure I get the question. It did install but never activated.

I've located a Win8.1 with Bing ISO that I think might work for you. Post back and I will give you instructions on where to get it and what to do with it when you get it.

But will that one work on this tablet? Doesn't it need to be a particular version, UEFI, non UEFI, whatever?

In case you need them, the Dell Venue 8 Pro drivers for Windows 8.1 are located on here on the Dell support site. You may need some of them as the ISO I have access to probably doesn't have any embedded Dell drivers and some of the drivers probably won't be picked up by the Windows install.

Right, that's what happened to me, I had to go get them myself AND plug in a keyboard and mouse through the OTG adapter with a USB hub I had. Bit of a pain, but I have them now.

Windows 8.1 keycodes are normally embedded in the BIOS of compatible devices. As a result, I would also suggest using one of these utilities to obtain the Win8.1 keycode embedded in the BIOS of your Venue Pro (it is best to have it available and not need it rather than need it and not have it handy). Since you have an obvious installation media/keycode mismatch, it is also possible the new keycode Dell gave you might also work just fine with this ISO.

I used Produkey which gave me the same as what Windows says the last 5 digits are. Punching that in got me nowhere. But I suppose I'm nowhere now so using the ISO you're talking about can't hurt.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

 

[Steltek]

I think Dell sent you a generic Win8.1 installation media and not the restore media you needed for your device (which was a special version of Win8.1). As a result, the product key embedded in the BIOS isn't compatible with your install media.

What do you mean that it didn't provide you with firmware?

One more thing before we go any further - did you try changing the Windows product key code after installation to use the new one Dell gave and then try to activate again?

You do it by clicking here (highlighted in yellow), then select "I already have a product key" and then entering the key when prompted:

 

[Ravynmagi]

Have you run the activation troubleshooter?

 

[tinpanalley]

One more thing before we go any further - did you try changing the Windows product key code after installation to use the new one Dell gave and then try to activate again?

I tried that with both keys. Neither worked. And I even tried with the one ProduKey gave me that MATCHED the one Windows shows at the bottom of that window.

 

[Steltek]

Sorry for the delay - I had to check with a mod before providing this link to ensure that the thread wouldn't get locked. BTW, there are other downloads on the webpage where you are getting this, but I wouldn't try them with your device as Dell never released - to the best of my knowledge - a 64 bit BIOS for the Dell Venue Pro 8 even though it has a 64 bit processor.

Windows 8.1 with Bing - 32bit

I think this version of Windows will activate with your key. It may pull the key from the BIOS, but if it does not, try to activate using the key you got from the BIOS first. I did a test install in a virtual machine and scanned it with both Malwarebytes Pro and Avast and it comes back as clean so I think it is safe to use.

The download is in .img format - you should be able to mount it just like you would an ISO. Then, use the mounted image to create a bootable flash drive (at least 4GB is needed). I wouldn't overwrite the Dell flash drive in case you need it again. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to back up your device before you start to ensure you can get back to where you are now easily in case this doesn't work.

That being said, using this image will put you right back where you originally started before - this isn't a Dell image so it doesn't have any Dell drivers. Once you have created the flash drive, I'd copy whatever other drivers from the Dell website you needed previously loading Win8.1 on the device over to the flash drive so they will be readily available.

If this process works, you could probably (with some work) use a tool like nlite to create a full installation media including the Dell drivers to make the install easier.

 

[tinpanalley]

Sorry for the delay - I had to check with a mod before providing this link to ensure that the thread wouldn't get locked.

Not a problem at all. Thank you!

I wouldn't overwrite the Dell flash drive in case you need it again. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to back up your device before you start to ensure you can get back to where you are now easily in case this doesn't work.

I was told once, not sure how valid this is, but that you can't make a restorable image of this tablet, something to do with the kind of system it is. How would you do it?

Once you have created the flash drive, I'd copy whatever other drivers from the Dell website you needed previously loading Win8.1 on the device over to the flash drive so they will be readily available.

I was going to do exactly that, save all those things AND the product key I got to my desktop.

If this process works, you could probably (with some work) use a tool like nlite to create a full installation media including the Dell drivers to make the install easier.

Hmm, that would be really cool to look into.

 

[Steltek]

Please let me know how it turns out, if for no other reason that curiosity.

 

[tinpanalley]

Please let me know how it turns out, if for no other reason that curiosity.

I will, but do you know how to make a backup image of what I have right now? One that can actually be used? What I had been told was that this particular tablet is unable to be restored from a recovery image. No idea why.

 

[Steltek]

Did you try the Dell backup and Restore software on the Dell support site? According to Dell, that is the way you are supposed to create backups. Other than that, I don't know and I have no way to test because my own Venue 8 Pro self-destructed.

Dell Venue 8, 10 and 11 Pro - System recovery options in Windows 8.1 | Dell US

Anleitung zur Neuinstallation von Windows 8.1 mit Bing auf dem Dell Venue 8 Pro 5830 herunter | Dell Deutschland

Venue 8 Pro (5830) Windows 8.1 Driver CAB | Dell US

I see there is also a BIOS update and a touch panel firmware update on the Dell support site as well, though I wouldn't mess with them until you are able to get everything up and running again.

 

[tinpanalley]

Did you try the Dell backup and Restore software on the Dell support site? According to Dell, that is the way you are supposed to create backups. Other than that, I don't know and I have no way to test because my own Venue 8 Pro self-destructed.

Yeah, unfortunately, there are several people in various forums who complain (rightly so) about how Dell puts their recovery suite on the tablet but it doesn't actually work on the device.

I'm gonna just make sure I have all those drivers in case I need them. Then I'll try your image to see what happens.
What's this thing about making an image with drivers already incorporated?

 

[Steltek]

Yeah, unfortunately, there are several people in various forums who complain (rightly so) about how Dell puts their recovery suite on the tablet but it doesn't actually work on the device.

I'm gonna just make sure I have all those drivers in case I need them. Then I'll try your image to see what happens.
What's this thing about making an image with drivers already incorporated?

Huh. Now that I think about it, I don't recall that I ever had to recover my Venue 8 Pro while I had it. I reset it once, but never recovered it.

There are several tools you can use like nlite to customize your Windows installation discs to integrate drivers, updates, and service packs. I did it once or twice back in the day, years ago when my Internet literally crawled (not that it ever got very fast anyway, but at least now I can download a Windows ISO in 30-60 minutes rather than a day or two) but haven't messed with it since.

It might be worth trying if that ISO actually installs and activates on your device.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I had to recover my Venue 8 Pro because I messed up the OS and the recovery partition was messed up as well. It took me a while, But I was finally able to just use the Windows 8.1 Pro 32 bit ISO from Microsoft.

Windows 8 - Microsoft Lifecycle

Windows 8 follows the Fixed Lifecycle Policy.

www.microsoft.com

The activation key wasn't automatically detected, but after running the activation troubleshooter, it found the embedded key.

 

[tinpanalley]

The activation key wasn't automatically detected, but after running the activation troubleshooter, it found the embedded key.

Yeah, unfortunately 8.1 has no activation troubleshooter, so I'm sort of stuck there. I'm afraid to flash this image @Steltek got me. But it's not like I have a verified system now anyway. It's just the time it all takes...

 

[Steltek]

Yeah, unfortunately 8.1 has no activation troubleshooter, so I'm sort of stuck there. I'm afraid to flash this image @Steltek got me. But it's not like I have a verified system now anyway. It's just the time it all takes...

As far as safety is concerned, I installed that thing in a virtual machine and scanned the crap out of it with two different antiviruses (Avast and Bitdefender) and Malwarebytes Pro. The ISO itself was also mounted prior to installation and scanned with the same softwares. If there is anything in there that shouldn't be, I don't know what it might be.

Also, got a question for you about that OS flash drive that Dell sent you that you now have installed on the Venue that won't activate. On the Win8.1 desktop in the lower right corner, right above the taskbar is there a watermark that says "Windows 8.1 with Bing" and right below it "Build 9600" like the image below (I took this shot out of the virtual machine desktop)? I distinctly remember it being there on the one that I used to have (it annoyed me for some reason).

 

[Steltek]

Also, for futher consumption, something I just found:

https://hardforum.com/threads/reinstalling-windows-8-on-my-dell-venue-tablet-help.1946777/

I just checked the SHA1 hash on the downloaded ISO and it matches the one in that post.

 

[tinpanalley]

As far as safety is concerned, I installed that thing in a virtual machine and scanned the crap out of it with two different antiviruses ...

When I was referring to being concerned I only meant with respect to of it doesn't solve the problem.

On the text on the bottom right, I only have Windows 8.1 and Build 9600. Not "with Bing"

 

[Steltek]

When I was referring to being concerned I only meant with respect to of it doesn't solve the problem.

On the text on the bottom right, I only have Windows 8.1 and Build 9600. Not "with Bing"

Yeah, I knew what you were talking about. Installing an OS on a tablet is a
major, time consuming pain. Further still, trusting an ISO off the internet is very hard for me without scanning the absolute hades out of it and even then I'll probably always be wary of it. Just wanted you to know that I checked it.

Only having Win 8.1 displayed means they most definitely sent you the wrong OS flash drive. I'll bet that the key is a Win8.1 with Bing key, which is incompatible with regular Win8.1. If you had a regular Win8.1 key, I'll bet it would activate on the device as is.

 

[tinpanalley]

I think this version of Windows will activate with your key.
The download is in .img format - you should be able to mount it just like you would an ISO. Then, use the mounted image to create a bootable flash drive (at least 4GB is needed). I wouldn't overwrite the Dell flash drive in case you need it again. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to back up your device before you start to ensure you can get back to where you are now easily in case this doesn't work.

So, would you run the img on the tablet or just on my desktop?

 

[Steltek]

So, would you run the img on the tablet or just on my desktop?

Before you do that, did you read the PM I sent you for another option?

And, to answer your question, the downloaded IMG file is actually in this case the same as a standard ISO file (i.e. there isn't any compression in it). As a result, you can just use your favorite utility of choice (such as Rufus) to write it to a bootable flash drive just like you would any Windows ISO file.

 

[tinpanalley]

Before you do that, did you read the PM I sent you for another option?

And, to answer your question, the downloaded IMG file is actually in this case the same as a standard ISO file (i.e. there isn't any compression in it). As a result, you can just use your favorite utility of choice (such as Rufus) to write it to a bootable flash drive just like you would any Windows ISO file.

Ok, I thought you used THIS image, to CREATE a bootable flash drive. Like this was some kind of boot disk creator.
I did read your message, I'd rather just go this route.

 

[Steltek]

Ok, I thought you used THIS image, to CREATE a bootable flash drive. Like this was some kind of boot disk creator.
I did read your message, I'd rather just go this route.

The file you downloaded with the .IMG extension IS an ISO file in this case. If you mount it in Windows and assign it a drive letter (or even open it with 7zip or Winrar for that matter), you will see the files it contains.

As a result, you can just use Rufus to burn it directly to a flash drive.



I'm assuming the Dell Venue Pro has a UEFI BIOS (I honestly don't remember - you might boot it to the BIOS to be sure.) which is why I left the flash drive partition scheme as "GPT" in Rufus. If the Venue Pro has a non-UEFI BIOS, change the partition scheme to "MBR". If you try it as GPT and it won't boot, just re-do the flash drive using MBR as the partition scheme.

Just plug in the flash drive you are using, then open Rufus. The flash drive should show in the Device field. Click on the highlighted "Select" button, navigate to where you have the IMG file you downloaded, and click on it. The file name will then show in the "Boot selection" field, and the other options should be automatically set. You can then burn the image to the flash drive.

Before you try to boot the flash drive on the tablet, you might plug it in to your computer and look at the contents. The flash drive contents should look like this in Windows Explorer:



While you have it plugged in, you might copy the Dell driver pack to the flash drive so you'll have it ready to install. If everything works right, you should see a normal Win8.1 install just like you did when you installed using the Dell flash drive.