"Add features to Windows 8"

[ddrueding]

I purchased some Lenovo desktops that ship with a basic version of Win8 that can't join domains. No prob, in the properties menu is a link called "Add Features in Windows 8" where something called the "Pro Pack" costs $70. I gave them the credit card info and it started doing it's thing. Then it started a reboot where it reports a "Failure" before "Rolling Back Changes". When I get back to the desktop it tells me the update failed and to contact tech support. I've been waiting 3 hours so far without luck.

Things I've already done:

Uninstalled all the software (AV, DVD, burning, etc) that I didn't need.
Uninstalled all the drivers I could do without (Wifi, keyboard)
Installed all windows updates.

Still no luck. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[P5-133XL]

Buy the download version Windows 8 Pro before Jan 31'st. At $40 it costs less than the upgrade to Pro that you just purchased.

 

[MaxBurn]

I had no idea they were doing a download version for consumers, that's nice.

 

[LunarMist]

I had no idea they were doing a download version for consumers, that's nice.

Is there a standalone download? I cannot figure out how to buy it. The link goes to some 5MB app that says my OS is no goood.

 

[LunarMist]

I had no idea they were doing a download version for consumers, that's nice.

Is there a standalone download? I cannot figure out how to buy it. The link goes to some 5MB app that says my OS is no good.

 

[MaxBurn]

Ah, maybe I'm making a grand assumption but I was thinking after you passed the upgrade adviser it would act as a downloader for the OS. The site does specifically say download with an alternate link to get the dvd. Also the store says "$39.99 Download from Windows.com*"

*Choosing "Start download" will redirect you to the Windows.com site where you can complete your download and purchase. You will have the choice to purchase a backup disc from that site as part of your download.

 

[ddrueding]

So other than cheaper ways to do what I want to do...any suggestions to fix the issue? I have copies of 8 Pro sitting here but I don't want to reinstall windows. This machine is new and has all the drivers in there already.

 

[MaxBurn]

You try doing it that way, upgrading using the download version?

 

[LunarMist]

Ah, maybe I'm making a grand assumption but I was thinking after you passed the upgrade adviser it would act as a downloader for the OS. The site does specifically say download with an alternate link to get the dvd. Also the store says "$39.99 Download from Windows.com*"

Apparently XP64 is not eligible, so it won't even properly run the advisor. That is ridiculous since the 32-bit XP is an older OS and it is eligible. The computer is an ~2-year-old 980X system that I think should be able to run Win 8, but who knows.

 

[ddrueding]

Mysteriously there was an additional update this morning, and after installing it the upgrade worked. Weird.

 

[MaxBurn]

Apparently XP64 is not eligible, so it won't even properly run the advisor. That is ridiculous since the 32-bit XP is an older OS and it is eligible. The computer is an ~2-year-old 980X system that I think should be able to run Win 8, but who knows.

Doesn't surprise me. XPx64 was a bastard product that shouldn't have shipped.

Mysteriously there was an additional update this morning, and after installing it the upgrade worked. Weird.

Cool, apparently they are still working things out. This time with win 8 is one of the few times I let the installer do updates before launching into windows install. Didn't help my driver situation much though.

 

[Stereodude]

Doesn't surprise me. XPx64 was a bastard product that shouldn't have shipped.

It's worked fine for me on more than one system. It's really just Server 2003 with a different name on it. Still gets weekly updates, so I'm not inclined to upgrade any machine running it.

 

[LunarMist]

The problem is that some newer software will not run on XP64 and some new hardware does not have drivers. I was hoping to run my old system longer until there are better CPUs, but I'm at wit's end.

 

[Mercutio]

You can Anytime Upgrade using a valid Windows Pro license. I have observed it to work with the $40 download version, which is for all practical purposes identical to a full OEM license as far as I can tell. Were I really concerned, I'd probably dig in to the actual EULA and play "spot the difference", but I don't.