Windows 8/8.1 activation nightmare

darkan9el

New Member
Messages
6
Hi all got a Windows 8 desktop tower, brand unknown and up until yesterday it was working fine but today it has activation trouble. The system has been running fine for a while so this isn't because I have just updated to 8.1

It has a Windows 8 Key sticker on the case. (That's 8 - Eight not 8.1 Eight dot one)

From Control Panel > System:

Windows edition: Windows 8.1

Windows activation.
Windows is not activated read the Microsoft Software Licence terms

Product Id: Not Available ------- Activate Windows

So I click activate windows, Click Enter key and the Key fails.
Shows the Windows 8.1 Build 9600 Text in bottom right corner of screen

Things I've tried:
  • Running Slui.exe 4 (Nothing appears, tried from Run and from an admin cmd prompt)
  • Chkdsk (it found errors and fixed them)
  • SFC /scannow from cmd prompt (found errors but couldn't some of them) Ran this twice
  • Run a few scripts and programs to try and determine key, found an installed key but it wouldn't activate windows 8.1

So any tips would be great will add more as I work through potential solutions
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
SFC /scannow from cmd prompt (found errors but couldn't some of them)

Run---

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

then sfc /scannow

Try this script to find your keys---

View attachment ShowKey v1.3.vbs

It shows OEM key & installed key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
What do you mean a Windows 8 key sticker on the case? Windows 8 never had the key on a sticker afaik...

Please download the 2 scripts from here http://www.eightforums.com/windows-...3-please-read-activation-troubleshooting.html and post the results

Yes the case has a COA sticker on it and states: Windows 8 ENG INTL or OEM Software and displays a key with a QRcode.

Just read up on DISM and will try it out tomorrow.

I have run the showkeys script but not that version so I will try version 1.3 tomorrow as I'm at work now. The version I ran version 1.2 gave me the installed key but not the OEM key.

I have downloaded the Win8diag script and the licencing info script and will post the info tomorrow.

Thanks for the help so far.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 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
One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of these key finding utilities read the key out of the Registry. That key will not always match the OEM embedded key or the original key used to activate Windows. For example, if you use Add features, to upgrade from Core to Pro, the Pro key is what's stored in the registry. Same deal if you add Media Center. Using a script to enter a key may do the same thing. Option 5 in my above post should get you the OEM key, if there is one. It will also show you the current key in use.
 

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
Hi all, sorry for the delay, life getting in the way.

Right, I have run Showkey 1.3, Belarc Advisor, Productkeyx64 and I have been to this post and run through the options: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27129-product-key-find-windows-8-a.html

Showkey 1.3
Product Name: Windows 8.1
Product ID: 00260-70000-00000-AA086
Installed Key: M9Q9P-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
OEM Key: Key not found

The installed key is not the key from the COA on the case.

Productkeyx64:
==================================================
Product Name : Internet Explorer
Product ID : 00179-70801-93175-AAOEM
Product Key : PRNTW-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
Installation Folder :
Service Pack :
Computer Name : OFFICE
Modified Time : 04/11/2014 10:49:03
==================================================

==================================================
Product Name : Windows 8.1
Product ID : 00260-70000-00000-AA086
Product Key : M9Q9P-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
Installation Folder : C:\WINDOWS
Service Pack :
Computer Name : OFFICE
Modified Time : 21/01/2015 12:20:07
==================================================

Belarc Advisor has the same info as Productkeyx64. I have tried both keys in the activation window and both are rejected with the statement: This key didn't work, please check it and try again or try a different key.
 

Attachments

  • DiagnosticReport.txt
    1.4 KB · Views: 81
  • Licence.txt
    225.8 KB · Views: 89
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 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
Product ID: 00260-70000-00000-AA086
Installed Key: M9Q9P-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

This is a Win 8.1 RTM Core Volume:GVLK

.. and
Product ID : 00179-70801-93175-AAOEM
Product Key : PRNTW-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

This is a Win 8 RTM Core OEM:NONSLP

Thus that PC was an OEM System builder version - they do not have keys in the firmware.

The first key (volume licence) won't work - the PRNTW- one should.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
The installed key is not the key from the COA on the case.

And it most likely won't.. ProduKey reads the software key and the (BIOS OEM Key)

You have three possible choices for OS software: Windows 8.1 > Windows 8.1 Pro > Windows 8.1 Single Language
One of those three versions will read the BIOS OEM Key you just have to find the version..

OEM's do not put COA stickers on the PC Case as it is embedded in the firmware..

That does not mean you do not have a COA sticker, but most likely means the COA Key has been used on another machine and will not activate..

For Years OEM's put a COA on the side of PC's, Basically it was a FREE license to whom ever used it, as that key was never ever used by the OEM, but the COA Sticker was required by MS..

You wanted to install XP, Vista, Windows 7 - just flip over any OEM pc and write the number down.. Then install the OS with that key.. It was and still is that easy.. The major OEM's don't not use that COA Key to install software, they use a production license key
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
For Windows 8 factory OEM installs though, if you haven't used Add Features, the software key and BIOS key should match. It looks like this PC does not have an embedded OEM key. The software key should match the COA sticker. Before any other keys were tried it should have anyway. all bets are off now as multiple keys have been entered and tried. I think its time to call the manufacturer or seller of the 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
Your diagnostic report indicates a permissions corruption with your licence files.

This is the error that has been my PITA for a long time. The only way to fix this is to run setup from USB - choose repair - advanced options and restore point.
NB It won't work from within Windows - just choose the oldest restore point - once activation is restored - you can then restore again from Windows to the last restore point (obviously create a restore point before doing all this) to get all your stuff back again without affecting activation (it's read-only within Windows)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
Product ID : 00179-70801-93175-AAOEM
Product Key : PRNTW-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

And if that key wont activate - disconnect from the internet and then select activate.. Activate By Phone, and if you get asked, the hard drive was replaced due to failure
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
Thanks for all the help and tip, much appreciated, always a learning experience. Just been digging about under the desk and its a Mesh system so I'll be contacting them in the morning.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro
PS. slui 4 doesn't work, nothing pops up, slui 3 does work but still fails whether its connected to the internet or not.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro
Thanks for all the help and tip, much appreciated, always a learning experience. Just been digging about under the desk and its a Mesh system so I'll be contacting them in the morning.

Good call. Let us know how it goes.

PS. slui 4 doesn't work, nothing pops up, slui 3 does work but still fails whether its connected to the internet or not.

Slui won't work as the Software Protection service cannot be started ( one can't even uninstall the current key with slmgr /upk)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
did you got the issue resolved

hi i also have a similar kind as i have Win 8.1 RTM Professional Volume:GVLK and is also not getting activated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
hi i also have a similar kind as i have Win 8.1 RTM Professional Volume:GVLK and is also not getting activated.

Volume License edition? If yes , why are you running that version, and where did you obtain it from?
 

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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