I think the problem boil's down to how I had to do the most recent clean install after 8.1 was on my pc. If I booted from my Windows 8 dvd to do a clean install. 8 wouldn't accept my good product key, which Microsoft's Online Chat technician verified as good. I had to install 7 Pro, then 8 Pro, run Windows Update, until 8.1 appesred in the store. I also, updated the pre-installed store app's and then installed 8.1. My 8 key worked in the 8 Pro upgrade from 7 and I told 8 to keep nothing from 7. as I only had my ssd plugged in, not my 3 tb. h.d. that has my files on it. I then updated 8.1, installed driber's and software and updated it. After each driver, I restarted my pc.After the original 8 to 8.1 upgrade, the Photo's app would crash, Outlook 2010 would crash, etc. Microsoft's Online Chat took control of my pc for 2 1/2 hour's and couldn't solve the crashing or freezeup issue's. That's why I did the clean install. 8 excepted my product key during 7 Pro to 8 Pro upgrade. Kind of sound's like a M.S. bug on why it won't accept your 8 key for a clean 8 install, after the 8.1 upgrade was done.