📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses issues with downloading Windows 8.1 Preview due to an expired Windows 8 Release Preview, which causes automatic shutdowns and suggests that upgrading from Windows 8 to 8.1 is unsupported and may require a clean install. The original poster inquires about alternative options owing to a limited budget and the expiration problem, with some advice about re-arming Windows or reverting to Windows 7 if available. Overall, users highlight that the main obstacle is the expired Windows version causing shutdowns, and solutions involve either managing the expiration or considering downgrades or clean installs.
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jdwfinger

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Thread Author #1
I have 8 Preview and would like to download 8.1 Preview. However my pc shuts down after an hour because of 8 Preview. If I can't download the ISO files, (I usually get to 65% before pc shuts down) How can I get 8.1?
Can I get 8 Pro or can I download 7 to replace 8?
 

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Mike
jdwfinger said:
Thank you Mike, that is exactly what the problem is. I didn't know this would happen. When I did and wanted to buy the upgrade, I was in Mexico and I didn't know if the price was in dollars or pesos. When I went back to the States, instead of getting the upgrade for $39, the price was almost $200. If I download 7 will that be an option? Any other options? I am on SS and don't have the $200 for them upgrade. Thank you and all that replied.
Click to expand...

You can try to re-arm Windows for another 90 days, but you can only do this for a limited time. Whether or not this will work, because the timebomb went off, I do not know. If you have a valid licensed copy of Windows 7, I would go back to it. Here is some information... you can normally do this...
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Jimbo22

Jimbo22

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#2
Are you receiving any error messages when your PC shuts down?
 

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Josephur

Josephur

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#3
Sounds like you need to be using some kind of Download Manager.. such as FlashGet :)
 

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Mike

Mike

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#4
Josephur said:
Sounds like you need to be using some kind of Download Manager.. such as FlashGet :)
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It looks like the person's evaluation copy of Windows 8 Release Preview (and not Windows 8.1) has expired and that is why it is shutting down.. it expired January 15, 2013.

Link Removed
  • The desktop background will turn black and your current wallpaper is removed. While you can still change it back, it will be removed again in regular intervals.
  • A permanent notification is displayed on the desktop stating that the copy of the operating system is not genuine
  • The PC will shut down every hour automatically so that you may lose unsaved work in the process.
Upgrading from Windows 8 Consumer Preview to Windows 8.1 Preview is definitely not supported. Even if you managed to download the upgrade fast enough, this will almost definitely require a clean install.
 

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jdwfinger

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Thread Author #5
Mike said:
It looks like the person's evaluation copy of Windows 8 Release Preview (and not Windows 8.1) has expired and that is why it is shutting down.. it expired January 15, 2013.

Link Removed
  • The desktop background will turn black and your current wallpaper is removed. While you can still change it back, it will be removed again in regular intervals.
  • A permanent notification is displayed on the desktop stating that the copy of the operating system is not genuine
  • The PC will shut down every hour automatically so that you may lose unsaved work in the process.
Upgrading from Windows 8 Consumer Preview to Windows 8.1 Preview is definitely not supported. Even if you managed to download the upgrade fast enough, this will almost definitely require a clean install.
Click to expand...
 

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J

jdwfinger

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Thread Author #6
Thank you Mike, that is exactly what the problem is. I didn't know this would happen. When I did and wanted to buy the upgrade, I was in Mexico and I didn't know if the price was in dollars or pesos. When I went back to the States, instead of getting the upgrade for $39, the price was almost $200. If I download 7 will that be an option? Any other options? I am on SS and don't have the $200 for them upgrade. Thank you and all that replied.
 

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Mike

Mike

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#7
jdwfinger said:
Thank you Mike, that is exactly what the problem is. I didn't know this would happen. When I did and wanted to buy the upgrade, I was in Mexico and I didn't know if the price was in dollars or pesos. When I went back to the States, instead of getting the upgrade for $39, the price was almost $200. If I download 7 will that be an option? Any other options? I am on SS and don't have the $200 for them upgrade. Thank you and all that replied.
Click to expand...

You can try to re-arm Windows for another 90 days, but you can only do this for a limited time. Whether or not this will work, because the timebomb went off, I do not know. If you have a valid licensed copy of Windows 7, I would go back to it. Here is some information... you can normally do this 3 times.

Re-arm Windows for 30 days
http://windowsforum.com/threads/a-very-weird-activation-issue.76523/#post-253436
 

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