Lost the activation of your Windows 8.1 ater Media Centre

Syd

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Member
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Location
UK & Spain
I have had a problem on one of my PC's.

I downloaded the Windows 8.1 Pro ISO from the Microsoft site, did a clean install with the install key found on this forum, I then activated it with my Windows 8 key, so far so good. Next I added the Media Centre using the key I got FOC when Windows 8 was initially launched, restarted the Computer only to be told that I needed to activate Windows, basically I lost the activation of my Windows 8.1.

I thought, maybe I had done something wrong. so I undertook all of the above a second time, a fresh install of Windows 8.1, which I activated, then added the Media and unfortunately I have had the same message, I need to activate windows.

I am now looking at undertaking yet another fresh install, unless I can find a walk around the activation issue.

ANY HELP would be appreciated.
Thanks
Syd
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro & Windows 7 X64 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    i7 2600k Clocked at 45 + Noctua DH-14 Cooler
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P67a-UD4-B3
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X 8GB 1600mhz Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R9 280X 3G Gaming
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD X3
    PSU
    Corsair 650W
    Case
    Lian-Li
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Gigabyte
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    M/S Defender
So what happens if you actually try to activate after installing Media Center?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro & Windows 7 X64 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    i7 2600k Clocked at 45 + Noctua DH-14 Cooler
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P67a-UD4-B3
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X 8GB 1600mhz Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R9 280X 3G Gaming
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD X3
    PSU
    Corsair 650W
    Case
    Lian-Li
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Gigabyte
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    M/S Defender
If you add Media Center and then click change key, you have to enter a Media Center key. A core or Pro key will be rejected because you are now running 8 Pro + MC. So what happens when you click activate Windows? Have you tried activating by phone? I've used my FOC Media center keys on Windows 8.1 with no problems. One on my laptop and one on my desktop PC. Both were reused on the same PC they were originally activated on. I had to do a phone activation on a third code but only because I moved it from one PC to another when I replaced my wife's old laptop with a new one. It activated fine though the automated system without having to talk to a real person.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
You can only add Windows 8.1 Media Center Pack to Windows 8.1 Pro.

If you already have Windows 8 Pro with WMC, then you can upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro with WMC, by using the Windows store upgrade.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-4790
    Motherboard
    GA-Z87X-D3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire ATI Radeon R7 250
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC892
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung UN32EH5000, Dell 1703FPT
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD5003AZEX
    WD10EZEX
    Samsung HD103SJ
    Samsung 128 GB 840 PRO
    PSU
    SeaSonic M12II SS-500GM
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900ALED
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    16 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast
    Other Info
    Bose Companion 2 Multimedia Speakers
You can only add Windows 8.1 Media Center Pack to Windows 8.1 Pro.

If you already have Windows 8 Pro with WMC, then you can upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro with WMC, by using the Windows store upgrade.


I understand what you are telling me, however I wanted to undertake a fresh install not an update, everything went as it should, Win 8.1 activated with my Win 8 key, it's onlt when I added media player that Windows de-activated itself.

I know I can always phone Microsoft, however I was hoping that there would be a simple fix /reg tweak etc. As I said earlier, if you google this problem it seems to be quite a common issue.

Syd
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro & Windows 7 X64 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    i7 2600k Clocked at 45 + Noctua DH-14 Cooler
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P67a-UD4-B3
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X 8GB 1600mhz Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R9 280X 3G Gaming
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD X3
    PSU
    Corsair 650W
    Case
    Lian-Li
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Gigabyte
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    M/S Defender
I had the same problem. I was on the phone with Microsoft for hours with no fix. I did a clean install and forgot about Media Center. Never used it anyway.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio XPS 9100
    CPU
    intel i7 920 @ 2.67 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    24 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5670
    Sound Card
    Internal
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Flat Screen HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 850 250 GB SSD
    2 Seagate internal 1TB
    WD external 3TB USB 3
    WD external 2TB USB 3
    PSU
    550-W
    Case
    Mid
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    US USB
    Mouse
    USB
    Internet Speed
    3.84 Mbps Download .44 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
    Other Info
    Liteon DVD wrighter
    Liteon BD drive
    Monoprice Tablet
You can only add Windows 8.1 Media Center Pack to Windows 8.1 Pro.

If you already have Windows 8 Pro with WMC, then you can upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro with WMC, by using the Windows store upgrade.


I understand what you are telling me, however I wanted to undertake a fresh install not an update, everything went as it should, Win 8.1 activated with my Win 8 key, it's onlt when I added media player that Windows de-activated itself.

I know I can always phone Microsoft, however I was hoping that there would be a simple fix /reg tweak etc. As I said earlier, if you google this problem it seems to be quite a common issue.

Syd

You still haven't said what happens when you click "Activate Windows". It is normal to have to reactivate after adding Media Center. The Media Center key entered becomes the new key the PC activates with. Have you ever activated with this key in the past? Those free keys had to be used by a certain date or they would expire. Also, they can only be used on one PC. I had to do a phone activation when I moved one of my codes to a new PC.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Unfortunately Windows Activation will not accept either my Win 8 Key or my Media Centre key.

I did not have a problem with Media Centre when running Windows 8, the problem only occurred with 8.1. The Media Centre key was a free key that I obtained when Windows 8 was first introduced, and this has worked fine on this Computer.

Anyway I am now up and running windows 8.1 pro minus Media centre and I think I will keep it that way. Searching the web, lots of people are having the same problem, guess I will wait until someone in the know finds the fix.

Syd
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro & Windows 7 X64 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    i7 2600k Clocked at 45 + Noctua DH-14 Cooler
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P67a-UD4-B3
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X 8GB 1600mhz Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R9 280X 3G Gaming
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD X3
    PSU
    Corsair 650W
    Case
    Lian-Li
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Gigabyte
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    M/S Defender
Well, that's too bad. I have heard of some people having issues with Media Center keys and activation. The PITA part is that once you add Media Center, there is no easy way to go back to 8 Pro if it won't activate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
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