Restore y580 to factory settings without paying lenovo 60? (no OKR)

I bought a y580 with windows 8 and "downgraded" it to windows 7. Now I'd like to sell the machine, so I want to restore it to it's original factory image.

I called Lenovo support, and they wanted to charge me $60 for a recovery disk, which does not include a serial number for windows. They claim the original S/N is encoded on the mobo somehow.

Does this mean I can just download a copy of the recovery disks and use that? I see no legitimate reason I should pay $60 for discs containing software that I already paid for. Is there anything special I would need to do? Could I use any windows 8 disc, and have it read that info correctly off the mobo?

Any info to help me get back to factory state without paying Lenovo would be greatly appreciated. Or, if I'm misunderstanding their reasoning for trying to charge me, please let me know so I can reconsider boycotting them for having such a garbage support service. Thanks!

 

I really don't want to rain on your parade, but why didn't you make the Win 8 Recovery USB, (or even the factory restore disk), before you downgraded the OS? In everyone of the downgrade instructions I've read, they have included the step to "make sure you have your current OS backed up, before attempting the procedure" (or some other such verbiage).

You are not misunderstanding their reasoning to charge you for the recovery disks. You had the chance to create them yourself, and 60 bucks is the "tax" you pay for being IDKW. :rolleyes2:

 

I didn't bother because I assumed it would be trivial to re-install. There is no good reason it shouldn't be.

If Lenovo wants to tax me, they can go themselves. They're not getting the money, and they've lost a customer in the process. I'd rather pay Microsoft more money for a fresh copy of windows.

I just want to know if I can do a legitimate re-install with an OEM disk or something, and if my serial number is actually on the mobo/bios somehow.

 

Yes, and yes.

The phrase "legitimate re-install with an OEM disk" means the disk that Lenovo would ship to you, not a download that you buy from MS. That Lenovo disk will contain the serial number, that matches your system's serial number.

If you want, you can buy the OS from MS. If you download the OS, you need to register on-line, or via a phone call.

You would rather pay MS $119.99 for Win 8.1 Buy Windows 8.1 - Microsoft Store than 60 to Lenovo, for a machine that you want to sell? :laugh:

 

If the computer originally came with windows 8, the key should be embedded into the uefi/bios of the y580, so all you need is a windows 8 installation disk.

 

As for getting that Windows 8 install disc, there is a little trick - you can use software tools to get your win8 key out of the UEFI/BIOS, type in that key here Upgrade Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help , and get install media. Only thing - if you have an 8 key, you have to download the 8 media. If you want 8.1 with your 8 key, start the 8 downloader, then once it's downloading, then kill it and launch the 8.1 downloader (which won't prompt for a key again). Install with the generic 8.1 trial key floating around, and then use slmgr -ipk or whatever it is to swap your 8 key in. I know, it's a pain, but it worked for me...

 

The serials for Windows 8 are flashed into the BIOS at the factory. You can reinstall from any Windows 8/8.1 retail disk and it will correctly find your serial in the BIOS, install the proper edition, and will activate properly with Microsoft. Filename for Retail 8.1 Core/Pro x64 English: en_windows_8.1_with_update_x64_dvd_4065090.iso

 

This sounds like a winning plan. I will try this method and report back. Thanks!

 

I disagree. The rep told me that the disc they ship me will NOT contain or be matched to my serial number. Also, my definition of legitimate is based on logic, not their shady as sales model.

You're damn straight. I've probably owned 20 computers over the years, and no company has ever tried to me over in this particular way before. I will not pay them for this, and I will not buy from them in the future. I will strongly advise everyone who asks me for purchasing advice that they don't buy from a company that tries to extort money from their customers for software they already paid for.

 

Microsoft doesn't allow you to download the install media using an OEM key.

 

Right you are. I tried this and got an error about the key. I ended up finding a copy of the official restore discs online, so I just went ahead and downloaded them.