Windows/HDD

[relapse71]

So my Lenovo laptop's hard drive failed. I wanted to use the warranty I payed for through square trade, so I sent it in and they replaced the HDD and installed a generic windows 8. Now I am unable to upgrade to 8.1 or 10 without a key. Square trade said this is my problem. I have no disk from Lenovo, they just use a partition. Now what?

 

[C1]

I think that when you get a new computer, it comes with a restore partition that you are supposed to make into CD/DvD for restoration. This is the first thing that one is warned to do when they crack open the user manual. Otherwise, order a suitable restoration disk from the manufacturer. The cost is typically under $50.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

Try that?

 

[boomerang]

I think there is more to this story that we're hearing.

 

[cubby1223]

So my Lenovo laptop's hard drive failed. I wanted to use the warranty I payed for through square trade, so I sent it in and they replaced the HDD and installed a generic windows 8. Now I am unable to upgrade to 8.1 or 10 without a key. Square trade said this is my problem. I have no disk from Lenovo, they just use a partition. Now what?

Windows 8 keys are embedded into the bios of every laptop from major OEM's that shipped with Windows 8. When Windows 8 is installed, regardless of the installation media used, it reads the product key from the bios and sets up the system properly.

I forget the exact procedure, but here's a start to getting a Windows 8 installation dvd you can use on your own:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

 

[pigsty]

Any progress to report? I'd like to know if you've resolved this or not