Windows 8 Activation popup

skiinaa

New Member
Messages
7
Location
Australia
So I bought a laptop a few months back, and all was good. But one day I had to watch a movie for school and I decided I would watch it on my Laptop. It said I needed some media player to run a movie, which I needed to pay or something (wasn't sure) so I googled it and said I could get it for free if I entered this serial key, which I did. But after installing the software or whatever it did, It kept saying that the windows was not genuine (or similar) and I need to to activate windows. It pops up randomly in a blue screen and is really, really annoying when trying to work. I did some further googling on how to solve it, but after following the steps to deactivate the popup message, the box to uncheck it was greyed out, meaning I couldn't disable it. Do I need to fork out money to reinstall Windows, and If I do have to, would I lose all my data on my Laptop? I could back it up, but I'd have to pay further for an external hard-drive which I don't have the money for. Any way just to get rid of the blue popup screen or fix this would be an absolute legend! Thanks for the help in advance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite P50t-A
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton Online
You didn't by chance add Media Center? Open the system screen, right click the Start Button and select System. Then see if it says with Media Center under Windows edition.
 

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 didn't by chance add Media Center? Open the system screen, right click the Start Button and select System. Then see if it says with Media Center under Windows edition.

It does say Windows 8.1 Pro with media centre
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite P50t-A
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton Online

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite P50t-A
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton Online
I'm guessing that's the "serial key" you mentioned you entered. Once you upgrade to media center it will activate with that key. If that key was used on more than one PC it will fail activation. If said key was listed on the internet for all to see its been blacklisted by Microsoft. So, when did you add media center and where did you get the product code from? If you didn't buy it from a reputable site, or didn't buy it at all, that's your issue. Your Media Center key is blocked from activation.
 

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
I got it off the Internet as I didn't know it'd be blocked because I needed it for school. Do I just need to buy a new activation code? Or, I know its back to square one and is probably frowned upon, can I get a free key for Australia region?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite P50t-A
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton Online
Buying a new code should be the easiest solution. Just buy it from Microsoft. The Media Center upgrade shouldn't be very expensive. Your not buying the whole OS just an upgrade to it. Then open the System screen, right click the Start Button and select System, then click Change product key on the right hand side down in the Windows Activation section. Other than that you have go back to 8.1 Pro. Did the PC come with 8.1 Pro?
 

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
I can't seem to find the media center upgrade as I'm not exactly sure what to look for.. I searched 'media center' in the windows shop online and it didn't come up with anything helpful
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite P50t-A
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton Online

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

It doesn't work because I already have windows media player, like I have the actual program installed and it works fine, I just can't get rid of this 'activate windows' and it gives me an option to buy one online, but it says you can't buy keys in this country or region, then says something about buying one from a local retailer. like.. what??.....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite P50t-A
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton Online
OK, I was afraid that would happen. My next suggestion was to see if clicking change key would let you buy one, but it looks like that won't work either. Yes, its installed but Windows isn't legally activated. The Media center key becomes the new key Windows activates against.

I would backup any data you don't want to lose to external media and then think about doing a Windows Refresh or Reset to see if that will get you back to your legal 8.1 Pro. You may have to do a factory reset to get things back to normal again.
 

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
OK, I was afraid that would happen. My next suggestion was to see if clicking change key would let you buy one, but it looks like that won't work either. Yes, its installed but Windows isn't legally activated. The Media center key becomes the new key Windows activates against.

I would backup any data you don't want to lose to external media and then think about doing a Windows Refresh or Reset to see if that will get you back to your legal 8.1 Pro. You may have to do a factory reset to get things back to normal again.

rubbish. That is the last thing I wanted to do as I have a LOT of things I need because I also do graphic design and I can't really afford to lose anything by mistake as I have a lot of loose folders
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite P50t-A
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton Online
Eventually, you may get more than just a nag to activate. You could end up with reduced functionality or a forced log out every couple of hours or so. I'd have to look it up to see what actually happens but eventually you'll have to fix the activation issue to keep using Windows.


There were a couple of threads on this issue a while back when Microsoft offered up the free Media Center codes. They expired if not used by a certain date so some got caught out by that. Some tried to use the one code on more than one PC and ended up with activation issues. It might be a pain to find them but their there. There was a trick to get back to 8.1 Pro but I think you need physical install media to do it. It's a variation on this, UNAWAVE - Downgrade Ultimate to Home Premium or Professional You'd have to find one of those threads to know what to edit in the registry for 8.1 pro
 

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
Buying a new code should be the easiest solution. Just buy it from Microsoft. The Media Center upgrade shouldn't be very expensive. Your not buying the whole OS just an upgrade to it. Then open the System screen, right click the Start Button and select System, then click Change product key on the right hand side down in the Windows Activation section. Other than that you have go back to 8.1 Pro. Did the PC come with 8.1 Pro?

I believe that the media center upgrade is only $19
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel pentium G3258 @ 3.52 GhZ
    Motherboard
    ????
    Memory
    24GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel GTX 1080
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (4K)
    Hard Drives
    223GB SSD (formatted)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K330
    Mouse
    Logitech M215
    Internet Speed
    55mbps down 47 up
    Browser
    Opera, and google chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG
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