Can't activate Windows 8.1 due to product key issue

[GMO123]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum fr this.
I have windows 8 on a Dell Inspiron laptop.
I tried to do a Dell Restore but now I can't activate Windows.
It won't accept my OEM Windows key.
Windows 8 came with my laptop.

Running WDT it says invalid licence but I bought the laptop legally.
I also get the error 0xc0000022 sometimes.

I started the Software Protection Service before running WDT but after WDT it had stopped for an unknown reason.

I ran WDT and got this result:

Windows Diagnostic Information
------------------------------

Tool Version: 6.2.9200.16384
Licensing Status: Unlicenced
Licensing Status Reason: 0xC004F014
Local Genuine State: Invalid Licence
Local Genuine Result P: 0
Last Online Genuine Result:
Grace Time Minutes: 0
Total Grace Days: 0
Validity Expiration:
Active Partial Product Key: M4DHT
Active Product Key Pid2: 00179-60240-27497-AAOEM
O S Version: 6.2.9200.2.00010300.0.0.101
Product Name: Windows 8
Processor Architecture: x64
Edition Id: Core
Build Lab: 9200.win8_rtm.120725-1247
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time(GMT-05:00)
Active Sku Id:
Active Sku Description:
Product Uniqueness Groups:
Active Product Key P Key Id:
Active Product Key Pid Ex: 05426-01796-024-027497-02-4105-9200.0000-2962012
Active Product Key Channel: OEMM
Active Volume Customer Pid:
Offline Installation Id:
Domain Joined: false
Computer Sid: S-1-5-21-2888928341-1759600752-2764383063
Product L C I D: 1033
User L C I D: 1033
System L C I D: 1033
Code Signing: SIGNED_INFO_PRS_SIGNED
Service Available: false
Oem Marker Version: 0x00020001
Oem Id: DELL
Oem Table Id: QA09
Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Model: Dell System Inspiron 7720
Install Date: 20121022192218.000000-240
Result: PASS
Tampered Items:
Server Props: 0xc0000022

****** Errors from Event Log *****
Message: The Software Protection service failed to start. 0x80070005
6.2.9200.16384
Time Written: : 20160101195018.000000-000
Message: The Software Protection service failed to start. 0x80070005
6.2.9200.16384
Time Written: : 20160101194946.000000-000
Message: The Software Protection service failed to start. 0x80070005
6.2.9200.16384
etc. Software Protection service failed to start.


===================
running slmgr dlv gave me this:
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.8
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Error: 0xC0000022 On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run 'slui.exe 0x2a 0xC0000022' to display the error text.

 

[Superfly]

Hi GMO123

Sorry for the late reply...
( I have kinda lost interest after trying to help people and then have them not bothering to reply to help me to help others..)

But your issue is a permissions corruption on licencing files.

These can only be fixed from a USB/DVD boot into "repair" and a restore from a system restore point prior to the corruption (use the earliest) - or a clean install from there (do not run setup from within Windows - that won't work)

 

[GMO123]

Hi GMO123

Sorry for the late reply...
( I have kinda lost interest after trying to help people and then have them not bothering to reply to help me to help others..)

But your issue is a permissions corruption on licencing files.

These can only be fixed from a USB/DVD boot into "repair" and a restore from a system restore point prior to the corruption (use the earliest) - or a clean install from there (do not run setup from within Windows - that won't work)

Thank you for your reply.
I created a windows 8 iso USB file using Rufus as per instructions on this forum.

I don't have a restore point before the corruption.

Sorry but I don't understand the point about not running setup from within Windows.

Do I start Windows with the iso file on the USB plugged into my laptop?
And then what happens? How do I get a clean install?

Or is what I'm doing correct?

Thank you.

 

[Superfly]

Do I start Windows with the iso file on the USB plugged into my laptop?
And then what happens? How do I get a clean install?

Or is what I'm doing correct?

Thank you.

Yes that's correct - Windows will activate with the key in the bios automatically when online.

 

[GMO123]

OK so I simply re-start my PC with the USB iso file plugged into my Dell laptop.

I don't go into Advanced Startup and choose the option to re-start using a USB?

I'm confused by "do not run setup from within Windows - that won't work".
Does that mean restart and tap on F12 before Windows starts up?

I also found a Dell Recovery USB I made using Dell Backup and Recovery in January 2013 when I bought the laptop.
I wonder if the Dell Recovery USB or the Windows iso would be better, or are they the same essentially?

Thank you.





Thank you.

 

[Superfly]

OK so I simply re-start my PC with the USB iso file plugged into my Dell laptop.

I don't go into Advanced Startup and choose the option to re-start using a USB?

I'm confused by "do not run setup from within Windows - that won't work".

Booting into existing Windows and doing an upgrade will not fix the file permission corruptions - thus booting from USB is advisable.

Does that mean restart and tap on F12 before Windows starts up?

If that brings up the boot menu to select USB then yes- Remember to select "custom" from setup not upgrade.

I also found a Dell Recovery USB I made using Dell Backup and Recovery in January 2013 when I bought the laptop.
I wonder if the Dell Recovery USB or the Windows iso would be better, or are they the same essentially?

Pretty much - the recovery has drivers and stuff (Dell applications etc).

 

[GMO123]

This is so discouraging. Pushing F12 does not bring up an option for USB nor custom.

Pushing F12 I get this on the screen:
Boot mode set to UEFI: Secure Boot on
UEFI Boot: Windows Boot Manager
Network Boot

Below this are other options such as Settings and Diagnostic and another option. Going into this last option (select then enter) it brings up a new screen, and it says the Boot Mode has two additional options: 1) Legacy Boot mode, Secure Boot Off
2) UEFI Boot mode, Secure Boot Off.

I'm not sure if the Boot mode is correct or not, or should be changed, or something else done.

 

[Superfly]

This is so discouraging. Pushing F12 does not bring up an option for USB nor custom.
There's an option for UEFi and another one for network.

Try UEFI boot... post a screenshot so thatwe can see what you see...

 

[GMO123]

I found this so I'm going to try it (substituting USB for DVD/CD).
How to enable boot from DVD option with UEFI boot mode enabled. (Windows 8) | Dell US



I tried this. Got the USB option on the startup screen but it still goes into the normal setup, ignoring the USB.
I'll try it again. Maybe I did something wrong. Didn't work on the 2nd try.

Don't know what's wrong.
Unfortunately nothing works.
Can't update. Can't go to Windows 8.1.And
now I can't even start from scratch.

 

[Superfly]

Must say I'm confused as well - normally one creates a bootable USB with e.g. Rufus (you can select UEFI from there) and set firmware to boot the USB.

I'm thinking your USB drive is not bootable - are you using the recovery version or the downloaded Windows ISO?

 

[GMO123]

I used Rufus to create the Windows 8 bootable disk plus I have the Dell Recovery on a USB.
Neither work.

Not sure if I'm answering your question or you need more information.

"are you using the recovery version or the downloaded Windows ISO?"
How do I tell the difference?

Thank you.

 

[Superfly]

If Rufus created the USB correctly (did you use the UEFI option?... otherwise turn off secure boot ) it should give a USB option on F12 menu.

 

[GMO123]

Hi.

I believe I tried it with secure on and off but I'll try again.

 

[Superfly]

Hi.

I believe I tried it with secure on and off but I'll try again.

OK, Just that I have never not been able to boot a USB, I'm in the dark not seeing what comes up on screen

 

[GMO123]

A question. With my problem with permissions I think it's better to not copy or transfer over my data and settings because, presumably, the settings would just transfer my problems to my new operating system?

Is that correct thinking?

Is there a certain partition I should be putting the new operating system or should I just accept the defaults?

I'm going to try again tomorrow or Wednesday (I'm busy much of tomorrow) doing everything you mentioned because with trying so many different things I may have gone in too many directions at once and wiped out or set back something I shouldn't have.

No matter if this works out or not Thank you very much for all your effort. It was wonderful and I'm very grateful.

 

[Superfly]

All your personal files are OK, it's just a few licencing files and their registry keys that are out of sync.

Backup all your personal data and when re-installing use the Windows defaults... re-install your apps and put back your docs/pics etc,


,

 

[GMO123]

I tried it with the Dell recovery USB. Nothing worked. I tried everything.

I then tried the Windows.iso USB file. Bingo. It worked with Secure off.

I then tried to transfer my personal files but it kept asking for additional drivers. I didn't know what it was talking about.

So I copied as many personal files that I could onto another USB and installed Windows 8.1 without my personal files.
It worked and then I upgraded to Windows 10,.
I'm now in the process of putting back my personal files.

Thank you very much.
You were a fantastic help and I couldn't have done it without you.

You have my eternal gratitude.

 

[Superfly]

You are welcome, it was my pleasure - see you over at Ten Forums then?

 

[GMO123]

Yes, I've registered there.

 

[sistersister512]

Hi! I bought my laptop new about 3 years ago with windows 8. I updatd to windows 8.1 some time ago. Recently (a few months ago) I had a bunch of problems with my laptop and I brought it to a tech place to get it fixed. When I got it back I've had some thing in the corner of my screen saying "activate windows, go to PC settings to activate windows", and it also says "Windows 8.1 Pro, Build 9600". I don't think I ever purchased Windows 8.1 Pro. My sister has the exact same laptop as me and she has regular windows 8.1. I ran the superfly key finder and it found an installed key and an OEM key. They are both different. I tried using each of these to activate my windows but I got the error code 0x8007007B with the text "the file name, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect."

I don't know why my windows won't activate! My sister has the exact same laptop and hers runs 8.1 without a problem, and she can find her key using Belarc. Also, hers doesn't run Windows 8.1 pro, just regular 8.1. I don't know how I ended up with 8.1 pro? Anyway, what should I do?