Windows 8 Activation Problem, how do I fix it?

CaptainNitro

New Member
Messages
8
A while back ago (around 2012, December) I bought a pre built Dell PC and it came pre loaded with Windows 8. In February I thought it was about time to upgrade my PC, so I bought a new MB, CPU and GPU. This reset my Windows back to trial version. I then upgraded my OS to 8.1 and only now have I thought to solve this problem as Windows has been running quite bad lately. When I'm in the Metro searching for things my CPU usage goes straight to %99. I have my old Windows Key if that helps.

(Games are crashing and stuttering horrendously.)

These problems have started to occur after upgrading my GPU from a GTX550ti to a GTX660 OC

My Specs;
CPU: Intel i3 3220 3.3GHz
GPU: Asus GTX660 OC Direct CU II
RAM: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM
OS: Windows 8.1 Trial

(I have booted in to safe, that's where I found the CPU usage problem and it seems to be the same when booting in to regular mode.)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Trial
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i3 3220
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61-M
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 660 OC Direct CU II
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron E2351
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Barracude 1TB 7200RPM Sata 6
    PSU
    Corsair CX430 430W Powersupply
    Case
    Fractul Design Core 1000
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink
    Keyboard
    Steelseries 6GV2
    Mouse
    Steelseries Kinzu V2 Special Edition
    Internet Speed
    7 Download, 0.3 Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    MacAfee Anti Virus
    Other Info
    Media PC
Hello CaptainNitro, and welcome to Eight Forums.

On an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, the product key is embedded in the motherboard's BIOS/UEFI firmware. This would be why your Windows 8/8.1 is not activated on the new motherboard.

OEM product keys are non-transferable to a new computer.
The new motherboard is essentially the same as a new computer, and would require the purchase of a retail copy of Windows 8 or 8.1. :(
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
If I was to purchase Windows 8 upgrade Edition, would that work on my system? Do you have any idea why my CPU usage ramps up when I search through the Metro? Thanks for the warm welcome :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Trial
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i3 3220
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61-M
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 660 OC Direct CU II
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron E2351
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Barracude 1TB 7200RPM Sata 6
    PSU
    Corsair CX430 430W Powersupply
    Case
    Fractul Design Core 1000
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink
    Keyboard
    Steelseries 6GV2
    Mouse
    Steelseries Kinzu V2 Special Edition
    Internet Speed
    7 Download, 0.3 Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    MacAfee Anti Virus
    Other Info
    Media PC

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I booted in Safe Mode when I noticed this problem. It isn't a Virus problem as I have a MacAfee subscription which cleans my PC on a daily basis. The only drivers I have installed are Network and GPU drivers which are in working order. MY HDD Smart state is in Good Condition. The only os to run on this system is Windows 8 OEM, no other OS. It is still possible to do a clean install with a Windows 8 upgrade disk?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Trial
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i3 3220
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61-M
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 660 OC Direct CU II
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron E2351
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Barracude 1TB 7200RPM Sata 6
    PSU
    Corsair CX430 430W Powersupply
    Case
    Fractul Design Core 1000
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink
    Keyboard
    Steelseries 6GV2
    Mouse
    Steelseries Kinzu V2 Special Edition
    Internet Speed
    7 Download, 0.3 Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    MacAfee Anti Virus
    Other Info
    Media PC

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
It isn't a Virus problem as I have a MacAfee subscription

Since you're going to clean install, you will have the best chance of success by using Killdisk to wipe the hard drive first, and after, do not install McAfee.

There's nothing that should be running in safe mode to cause excessive CPU usage. Something is definitely not well with the machine. It's not a driver either, because most (if not, all) 3rd party ones are not even loaded there.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7601.18247.x86fre.win7sp1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built Intel based
    CPU
    Pentium D 925 3.0 GHz socket 775, Presler @ ~ 3.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel DQ965MT
    Memory
    Hyundai 2 GB DDR2 @ 333 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS DirectCU II HD7790-DC2OC-2GD5 Radeon HD 7790 2GB 128-Bit GDDR5
    Sound Card
    MOTU Traveler firewire interface
    Hard Drives
    1 Seagate Barracuda SATA II system/boot drive 80 GB, 2 Western Digital hdds - 1 is SATA II Caviar Black 1 TB attached to card (assorted media, page, temp), other is SATA I 420 GB (games, media, downloads)
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W
    Cooling
    stock Gateway cooling, extra large fan in rear of case
    Keyboard
    Alienware/Microsoft Internet kb
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Optimum Online, fast for US
    Browser
    Pale Moon
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky integrated into ZoneAlarm+Antivirus
I've fixed my stuttering problems, I found out it was due to a HDD problem. The metro is much more fluid with the clean up of my drive. It used to take around 10 seconds to even respond but now at most 2 seconds. It was a build up of temp files which cause these problems. I ran CCleaner and deleted 48Gbs of temps files and Caches
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Trial
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i3 3220
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61-M
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 660 OC Direct CU II
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron E2351
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Barracude 1TB 7200RPM Sata 6
    PSU
    Corsair CX430 430W Powersupply
    Case
    Fractul Design Core 1000
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink
    Keyboard
    Steelseries 6GV2
    Mouse
    Steelseries Kinzu V2 Special Edition
    Internet Speed
    7 Download, 0.3 Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    MacAfee Anti Virus
    Other Info
    Media PC
Great news for that. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thanks. Now it's just a matter of trying to save up get my hands on a copy of Windows 8 Upgrade or maybe Windows 7... (Just turned 14)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Trial
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i3 3220
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61-M
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 660 OC Direct CU II
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron E2351
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Barracude 1TB 7200RPM Sata 6
    PSU
    Corsair CX430 430W Powersupply
    Case
    Fractul Design Core 1000
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink
    Keyboard
    Steelseries 6GV2
    Mouse
    Steelseries Kinzu V2 Special Edition
    Internet Speed
    7 Download, 0.3 Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    MacAfee Anti Virus
    Other Info
    Media PC
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