Hey guys my laptop just messed up a windows 8 update and will not boot. i have tried to boot into safe mode and every way i can think about getting into the laptop, windows just refuses to boot. I have a Lenovo y500. I contacted lenovo and my laptop is out of warnity and they want $69.00 for a freaking recovery disc. Is there any way for me find my windows product key with out booting up the machine, i have a usb 3.0 to sata cable and a desktop i can use.
I think its time you switch to linux ;P
If you do install linux you could recover your files if they are still on the drive.
First, connect the laptop hard drive to another computer and run CrystalDiskInfo to see if it really is the drive that is faulty. If it is indeed faulty, recover what you can from it and purchase a new drive. Next, you either need 'recovery media' or a Windows 8/8.1 disc. OEM Pre-installed Windows 8/8.1 computers store the Windows key in the BIOS. When Windows 8/8.1 is installed from a disc (or USB) on to a computer that came pre-installed with 8/8.1, it will automatically activate. Unfortunately, Microsoft do not offer a Windows 8/8.1 ISO for download, like they did for previous versions of Windows. So, unless you have a disc you pretty much are stuck with having to purchase 'recovery media' from the OEM. A computer shop may have one though.
Umm. Yes they do offer an ISO for download.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
I was unaware of this process. However, it is not a Windows 8/8.1 ISO. It is merely a tool for creating a bootable Windows 8/8.1 installation USB flash drive or DVD. Without a product key and access to a working Windows 8/8.1 computer it is pretty useless.
Some Windows 8/8.1 pre-installed computers display the product key in the BIOS, so it may be worth having a look around in there.