Error: 0x80073712 when installing KB 2919355

Interesting to learn you obtained install/repair media even though you have an OEM version of Windows. I might attempt that this week. Thanks for the information.

By system image do you mean a wim file of the system partition?  If not, I can show you how, as you're going to want one regardless if you use it as a refresh wim replacement or not.

Replacing the refresh wim with a custom refresh wim file is extremely easy and if you google "windows 8.1 custom refresh wim" you'll come up with numerous links to tutorials, although I've posted one from a forums site I use often below:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/3610-refresh-windows-8-create-use-custom-recovery-image.html

Anyone without an 8.1 ISO can make one... it's just a bit time consuming and is around 2 hours or so from start to completion.

EDIT:

The microsoft download tool spoken about in both of the forums at the bottom of this post is no longer accepting product keys, valid or generic, and thus will not work.

I do know there is a way to grab the same 8.1 installation files when a user updates to 8.1 via the windows store.  I can't recall which folder they're downloaded into, but if memory serves it's within the user's temp folder under app data - local.  A bit of research on google would provide the answer, however, nothing popped out right away when I just skimmed the search.  I do know the key to those temp 8.1 installation files is to copy all of them (as you can't cut and paste due to them being in use and once you exit the installer, they auto delete) before actually installing windows 8.1.  I hope this at least helps those who have a bit of time to research

For Pro users, it's going to be more simplistic than it will for non-Pro users... architecture doesn't matter.

For PRO users:

(tutorial will be in a link at the bottom which is worth a read as well)

1. If you haven't already done so, install Hyper-V by going to add/remove windows components.
2. Create a Virtual Machine and install Windows 8 onto it.
3. Download the Windows 8.1 installer from your Virtual Machine, run it, select "Install by Creating Media, then choose SAVE to USB*(This step is absolutely crucial and is what is used for the Win 8.1 ISO. I am unsure if non-Pro users have Hyper-V, but I think I read somewhere they don't)*
4. Once the files are downloaded, create an ISO from the files and make at leasttwo backups of the ISO (for example, I burned it to a DVD, saved it to my Media HDD within My Documents., and saved it to one of my NAS servers.

For Non-Pro users w/o access to Hyper-V:

1. You will have to do a bit of research on Google to find Virtual Management software that is free or offers a trial.  You only need to be able to use it for an hour, so the time frame of the trial doesn't matter.  You could also ask a family or friend with Pro if you can borrow their laptop for about an hour or ask if they could go through the steps above for you.
2. Follow steps 1 - 4 above.

EDIT: VMWare Workstation and VirtualBox are two free Virtual Management software applications.

You'll need generic Product Keys to access the installer, and these are as follows:

• Windows 8.1 Core/Home 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
• Windows 8.1 Professional XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
• Windows 8 Core/Home FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3
• Windows 8 Professional XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH

Tutorial:

EDIT:

The microsoft download tool spoken about in both of these forums is no longer accepting product keys, valid or generic, and thus will not work.

~~http://betanews.com/2014/04/15/how-to-download-and-install-the-windows-8-1-iso-using-a-windows-8-or-8-1-key/~~

~~http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-download-the-official-microsoft-windows-8-1-iso/~~