how do i re install without product key?

[motorboatink1ng]

My friend has an HP laptop. He dropped it and the hard drive is clicking. I pulled it and tried to hook it up to my computer and it just clicks and is unreadable. We got a replacement hard drive, I was going to re install windows 8, expecting a sticker to be on the back with the product key, but there isn't one. He doesn't have a disc or anything like that. Is he going to need to repurchase a OS?

 

[johnb35]

Contact Hp for recovery cd's.

 

[motorboatink1ng]

Contact Hp for recovery cd's.

Is that really the only option? Were in Korea so it could take a while for anything to get here by mail.

 

[jamesd1981]

I thought under microsoft rules a COA sticker must be supplied on every machine ?

 

[johnb35]

Is that really the only option? Were in Korea so it could take a while for anything to get here by mail.

Yeah, you'll need recovery cd's.

 

[claptonman]

I thought under microsoft rules a COA sticker must be supplied on every machine ?

Not windows 8. They're non-existent. Really sucks for those that need a new hard drive.

 

[DMGrier]

Is that really the only option? Were in Korea so it could take a while for anything to get here by mail.

Get a recovery CD and while your waiting install Ubuntu or Linux Mint while you wait.

 

[motorboatink1ng]

I just installed windows 8 on the new hard drive and it never asked for the key. I go to system and it says it is activated. Weird, must have stored it somewhere else, only thing I can think of.

 

[voyagerfan99]

Windows 8 keys are stored in the BIOS on new machines. No need to worry about keys :good: