Windows 10: Can't reinstall W8 from W10 using CD

Hello,

I'm trying to reinstall W8 using my CD but in the Windows Setup, clicking Upgrade gives me a Compatibility Report that tells me to remove the CD, restart my computer so Windows starts normally, then reinsert the CD to restart the upgrade.

Clicking Custom and then clicking on my primary drive gives me an error and cancels the installation. It tells me: "Windows Setup could not reinitialize the deployment engine. To install Windows, restart the installation."

This is really frustrating me and I don't know that to do. Any ideas?

Thanks!

SOLUTION: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1723461/windows-installed-disk-selected-disk-mbr-partition-table-efi-systems-windows.html

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP! YOU'RE ALL GREAT!

:)

 

Windows Activation Code

Hello, I purchased and registered a full version of W8 that I upgraded to 8.1 and then to W10 and ran into a partition issue that locked me out of the system and had to reinstall Windows.

I had the installation CD for W8 but I thought that if I had a W10 CD, my final object was to have W10 installed, that I might be able to repair the issues and not have to reinstall all my
programs, apps,.... so I purchased a W10 CD.

The repair Windows option didn't work so I performed a clean install of W10 and when I was asked to enter the Windows 25 digit key, I entered the number from W8, which I believe was the key
code on my system before my system "blew-up".

The number was rejected so I entered the 25 digit code from (the newly purchased) W10 CD and completed the install.

My question is, I believe that the W8 key code was still valid since it was going to be re-installed on thee same device that it was already installed on and would appreciate help in understanding
why I couldn't use the key code or if it was still a valid code and I could reuse it, how do I activate it and change the key code on my system to reflect the W8 key code instead of the W10 key code?

Thank you for your help,

Bob

 

Windows 10 upgrade failure

The W8 repair wasn't possible - it just didn't see it. It was seeing only W10 - even with the W8 CD. I hoped there was another way, but ... there wasn't. I just finished the total reinstall. And I've lost all my settings, unfortunately.

 

You can't upgrade from Win 10 to Win 8. You have to do a Clean Install by booting the DVD.

Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade

DO you have Windows 8 or 8.1? If 8 then I would strongly urge you to download the appropriate Windows 8.1 ISO and create a flash drive of DVD to install from and skip Win 8 completely. Your Win 8 key will work fine for 8.1.

Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create

 

But I do have the CD. This entire attempt was with it.

 

Now I can't even click Next after selecting which drive I want to install Windows to. This error comes up:

Windows cannot be installed on drive 1 partition 2 [my primary drive]. Then after clicking that, a pop-up says"Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks."

What the hell?!

 

This guy has a similar problem as me and I'm trying to do that solution. However, I have no idea how to do that on the UEFI for my ASUS motherboard. *Sad

Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only...... - [Solved] - Windows 7

 

Sounds like your system is setup for UEFI/GPT and will not work with a MBR formatted disk.

I would try creating a flash drive (4G or larger) to install from and use Rufus to create a UEFI/GPT setup.

Also, please post a snapshot of a fullscreen Disk Management Window:

To open Disk Management, press Windows key+r, type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter or click GO. Make it full screen. Expand the fields as necessary so everything can be seen.

Windows 10: How to Take a Screenshot in Windows 10

 

You need to delete the partitions and then install.

 

Rats, right, you are trying to get back to Win 8. Ignore my post#6 until you get that done. Instead, follow my post #2 for a Clean Install of 8/8.1.

 

I have no idea what a windows 8 or 8.1 install cd looks like or can do, I would boot from my windows 7 disk and go though a new install and click advanced and delete the partitions that are there and then do a new install, if windows 8 don't have this option download a windows 7 ISO, do the above and then boot from the 8 disk.

The main thing is to have the partitions on the drive gone.

Some would do it from a linux disk I would use a windows 7 disk, don't make any difference just delete the partitions and do a clean install.

Look at this and delete all the partitions. Formatting and Clean Install of Windows 7 - YouTube

Then boot from your 8 disk.

From what I have seen 8 is lacking in some important disk management.

Maybe someone else will be able to help you more from just your 8 disk, I doubt it as 10 as far as I can see has none of this. Looks to me like 10 is a downgrade of tools that are needed.

I know a 7 disk works because I have been there.

 

Make the disk a GPT partition:

Windows Setup: Installing using the MBR or GPT partition style

 

WOW NavyLCDR you don't think making things easy is important, strange boy.

 

If memory serves, with an Asus motherboard, the DVD appears twice in the boot menu. One way is for UEFI boot, the other as not.

I've never tried it, but it may be possible to install Win 8 on an MBR drive if you don't boot from the DVD using the UEFI option.

 

Here is info about UEFI Boot Mode (installing using the GPT partition style) and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (installing using the MBR partition style). -> link