frontpage Posted by Toadster • Aug 22, 2023
Aug 22, 2023 6:10 PM
Item 1 of 1
frontpage Posted by Toadster • Aug 22, 2023
Aug 22, 2023 6:10 PM
Beelink Mini S12 Pro Mini PC: Intel 12th Gen N100, 16GB DDR4, 500GB SSD
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These machine comes with a default windows 11/10 but there is a software that comes with it, that you can see it under START UP services. I forgot the name but please make sure you reinstall windows.
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My EQ 12 worked just fine even when I reinstalled on a local account. It said it was active with valid when I got it running. Then after I logged into MS account later it said active with key tied to account.
I also did complete partition deletion, recreation, format, and fresh install using MS Media Creation Tool on USB.
Also, hope you got the N100 version and not N5095 cause their product listings can be deceiving... they will have the title say "N100 N5095" but then the default option is for "8GB / 256GB" and it doesn't tell you it's actually the N5095. Have to pick the ones that specifically state N100.
https://www.amazon.com/Computer-C...SJN8P&th=1
Low power CPUs have come a long way
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These machine comes with a default windows 11/10 but there is a software that comes with it, that you can see it under START UP services. I forgot the name but please make sure you reinstall windows.
Not possible to reinstall from a Disc (even if you download it from some place), because there is no Activation code (this is OEM Windows).
Please somebody provide a clue.
Not possible to reinstall from a Disc (even if you download it from some place), because there is no Activation code (this is OEM Windows).
Please somebody provide a clue.
Create a bootable USB and use it, The website itself explain in detail and give you the software to create the USB itself as well. So you should not have a problem, also when it comes to the part of "setting the Windows KEY" dont put anything and hit "ok" once the bios and windows update get online it will use the windows key embedded on the bios of that little machine, you should not have any problem.
1. Beelink Support
Beelink's support is providing a license key to those who asked (with a proof). I am one of those who obtained a license in this manner. The short version is I paid $10 more for a version that came with a Windows license. If there is one embedded in the BIOS, they wouldn't bother.
2. Windows prompts
If there is a license, Windows shouldn't prompt for a key.
3. BIOS
Keep in mind I purchased a version sold with Windows 11 Pro and their support confirmed my hardware comes with Windows 11 Pro. So let's check my BIOS!
https://www.cyberciti.b
- HOW this works -> Linux will often represent hardware in a file structure. It's kind of neat.
When I ran "sudo strings /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM", I got
strings: '/sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM': No such file
And again
ls -la /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/ | wc -l && ls -ls /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/ | grep -i md | wc -l
38
0
The first number is how many entries are in that directory. In my case, 38 entries. The second number is anything that has md (case insensitive). That returns 0.
If you are reinstalling:
The good news is if your Beelink came with Windows installed, you completed the setup, and you were online, there's a good chance Windows registered itself. But if you make any hardware changes, (e.g. swap out a drive or memory), it may prompt you for an activation key by invalidating their license.
Let's be honest here:
I know some of you are hoping to buy an S12 Pro without a Windows license and get it to install Windows would install without a license key. If you are one of these, don't waste your time. Instead, you can use one of the three cheap options:
Option 1: Live without a license
The good news is you can run Windows without a license indefinitely. You'll just have a watermark on the corner of your screen that says "Activate Windows". When I spin up containers running on Windows, I don't bother with license key.
Option 2: Use an old Windows license
Back in Windows 10, I confirmed with Microsoft developer support that Windows license hasn't changed since Windows 7. Y can use your Windows 7 pro license key with Windows 8, 10. So I am pretty certain it will work with 11 Pro. I have Windows 7 keys from my old MSDN kit and I have used them. If you can find an unused license key, they may work.
Option 3: Buy a cheap license.
There are many sites that sell licenses for cheap. I've known other users who have used these. It may be worth a shot to spend couple of bucks. My advise is to always use virtual credit cards that expire. Never use your debit card!!!
Other options:
Option 1: Go buy a retail key from regular stores
You will pay ~$100 and there's no benefit. As for "Support your developers", I am a developer and I can tell you MS has taken advantage of our community for many years and caused numerous headaches with no interest helping the community (e.g. IE). So don't worry about them.
Option 2:
Use a free OS. If you need it to do background work (e.g. run containers, or jobs), then just use linux. Keep in mind that Bluetooth and Wireless is currently unstable. Just plug it into a ethernet cord and you can forget about them. (This is what I do).
Create a bootable USB and use it, The website itself explain in detail and give you the software to create the USB itself as well. So you should not have a problem, also when it comes to the part of "setting the Windows KEY" dont put anything and hit "ok" once the bios and windows update get online it will use the windows key embedded on the bios of that little machine, you should not have any problem.
I will need to reinstall Windows on that machine for sure.
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