Solved Activation issue

Hey guys,
Sooo my laptop originally came with Windows 8.0 on it, I then wiped it and ran windows 7 and tonight after wiping Linux Mint off it I decided to go back to 8.

So, I was unable to locate a copy of Windows 8 retail but I found Windows 8.1 Retail. So I am now running that however it didn't detect my OEM windows 8 key so I had to use an install key. Well it appears to have detected it since the Windows Activation shows the last 4 letter / number combination of the key that Windows 8 Product Key Viewer shows but it won't activate.

So I have used my MSDM key from the Windows 8 Product Key Viewer program and the issue here is Windows then tells me this "That key can't be used to activate this edition of Windows. Please try a different key." but I installed Windows 8.1 core since I thought it originally had Windows 8 Core.

Is there a way to detect which Version of windows 8 the key is for so that if I installed the wrong edition I can install the correct one? Or do I have to install Windows 8.0 Core activate it and then upgrade or what? If it's the latter can someone provide me a retail copy of Windows 8.0 so that I can install 8.0.

I'm not sure what to do at this point and came here because I need to get this back up and running ASAP before the Christmas holidays end and I gotta go back to school.

Thanks guys.

EDIT:
Tiny update, According to my laptop original box it says the laptop came with Windows 8.1 on it. So i'm not exactly sure why it won't activate :/ again, Help is greatly appreciated.

EDIT2:
Some more information.
I also ran this: http://www.eightforums.com/windows-...ows-8-1-due-product-key-issue.html#post387506 and got

Product Name: Windows 8.1
Product ID: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-AA522
Installed Key: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-D3VPT
OEM Key: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-FM36R

Added the xxxxx things to make it safe to post.
However when trying the OEM key I get the error I posted above.

I also ran this: slmgr.vbs /ipk YOUR_OEM_KEY using my key however it told me this.

Error: 0xC004F069 On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run 'slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F069' to display the error text

Except according to Computer Properties its Windows 8.1 & that's all. When I ran the install I used the Core installer key.
Used this key during Installation: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT for Core.

Windows 8: magenta to green happens to be the sticker on the bottom of my computer.

As well if I place my key into the "Windows 8.1 setup" program to download the iso it says "This product key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8.1" I have a Dell laptop.

Dell Inspiron 15 3531

Merry Christmas to you and all.

Check under system properties under Product ID if perhaps you have one of the following...

00191-3xxxx-xxxxx-AAOEM = Win8 CSL
00262-3xxxx-xxxxx-AAOEM = Win8.1 CSL

...if not what is the first three digits?

Superfly said:

Merry Christmas to you and all.

Check under system properties under Product ID if perhaps you have one of the following...

00191-3xxxx-xxxxx-AAOEM = Win8 CSL
00262-3xxxx-xxxxx-AAOEM = Win8.1 CSL

...if not what is the first three digits?

Click to expand...

Product ID: Not available

I had removed the license with slmgr /upk because I read that if it was removed it was supposed to allow you to use the key or some crap. So I gave it a shot. didn't work.

EDIT: And by license I mean the license I had used for the install

OK try this to check the type of OEM key you have... http://janek2012.eu/download/pidgen.v1.1.3.590.rar

Superfly said:

OK try this to check the type of OEM key you have... http://janek2012.eu/download/pidgen.v1.1.3.590.rar

Click to expand...

That was the information it gave me.

Enter the -FM36R key...see what's under Description:

Superfly said:

Enter the -FM36R key...

Click to expand...

Wasn't sure if I should leave the full key there or not so I changed the key to xxxxx

EDIT:
Quick update, I also got my Windows 8.1 copy from the mediacreationtool from MS. http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=510815
So I really don't understand why it won't activate :/

A lot of those key viewers will just pull the key out of the registry, not the BIOS. In your case the key they show you will be the generic install key you entered that can't be used to activate.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27129-product-key-find-windows-8-a.html Option 5 or 6 should get you your OEM embedded key.

Oops, sorry, looks like you already did that. The xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-FM36R should be the correct key.

Does the version you installed match what was installed at the factory? If your PC came with Core and you installed Pro with a generic key, it will reject your Core OEM key. The reverse also holds true. If you install Core it will reject a Pro OEM key.

alphanumeric said:

Does the version you installed match what was installed at the factory? If your PC came with Core and you installed Pro with a generic key, it will reject your Core OEM key. The reverse also holds true. If you install Core it will reject a Pro OEM key.

Click to expand...

Nope, I had installed Core & it came with CoreConnected apparently.

Superfly was able to pull up all the information on the key including what OS it's for, I was using the wrong one. I was using Core instead of CoreConnected and therefore had to go download a copy of the OEM CoreConnected edition. Works just fine now.

Forgot to make the topic as solved.

alex809 said:

alphanumeric said:

Does the version you installed match what was installed at the factory? If your PC came with Core and you installed Pro with a generic key, it will reject your Core OEM key. The reverse also holds true. If you install Core it will reject a Pro OEM key.

Click to expand...

Nope, I had installed Core & it came with CoreConnected apparently.

Superfly was able to pull up all the information on the key including what OS it's for, I was using the wrong one. I was using Core instead of CoreConnected and therefore had to go download a copy of the OEM CoreConnected edition. Works just fine now.

Forgot to make the topic as solved.

Click to expand...

Ah, OK, makes sense now. I was sort of right. That's the first time I've ever heard of CoreConnected. I'll have to google that and see what's up with that. Thanks for the reply.