[SOLVED] Windows 8 Key not working - STUPIDITY AT FAULT

[freedomit]

Im sure this has been answered before but cant quickly find the answer so hoping someone can help...

We have an Acer P3-171 hybrid that came with Windows 8,. We upgraded it to Windows 8.1 a while ago and its been a nightmare ever since, Bluetooth doesn't work, graphics driver issues etc. anyway we suggested a format and reload. The steps we took were:

1) We got the key using RWEverything
2) Created 8.1 media from here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
3) Installed Windows 8.1 fine but it wont activate, using key we got from RWEverything activation fails saying cant be used to activate this version

4) Then we tried to create Windows 8 media using this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only but it says 'This product key cannot be used to install a retail version'.

So my question is, where can I get Windows 8.0 OEM media from? Really sorry if this has been answered but cant find media anywhere?

 

[MichaelBits]

Check here: https://www.technibble.com/forums/resources/how-to-extract-the-windows-8-product-key-from-bios.9/
You pulled a key for win 8, you can't use that for 8.1. Try the generic install keys in my above link.

 

[freedomit]

Check here: https://www.technibble.com/forums/resources/how-to-extract-the-windows-8-product-key-from-bios.9/
You pulled a key for win 8, you can't use that for 8.1. Try the generic install keys in my above link.

Ok I will try now.

Installing Windows hasn't been the issue, the problem is getting the key to accept once its booted but I will try your method anyway.

 

[PCX]

If the key does not work, usually you can activate over the phone without any issues.

 

[freedomit]

If the key does not work, usually you can activate over the phone without any issues.

It doesn't offer that option for some reason? Unless im missing it?

 

[PCX]

It doesn't offer that option for some reason? Unless im missing it?

The option should be there, but here is another way to do it.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24636-activate-windows-8-phone.html

 

[freedomit]

No joy so far, it just doesn't seem to want to activate. Installing Windows isn't an issue but nothing will accept the key, the message is not for this edition for Windows. The media we have tried...

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only
A Windows 8.1 OEM disk that we copied from a new build

Im going to try phone activation but I don't think it will work as it wont even take the correct key so we would be activating an incorrect key.

 

[PCX]

No joy so far, it just doesn't seem to want to activate. Installing Windows isn't an issue but nothing will accept the key, the message is not for this edition for Windows. The media we have tried...

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only
A Windows 8.1 OEM disk that we copied from a new build

Im going to try phone activation but I don't think it will work as it wont even take the correct key so we would be activating an incorrect key.

We have dealt with several computers that would not accept the correct key and each time we were able to activate them by phone.

 

[freedomit]

We have dealt with several computers that would not accept the correct key and each time we were able to activate them by phone.

I tried phone activation but it asked me if I was activating 'Office for Mac', it then put me through to MS employee who said I need to contact Acer

 

[PCX]

I tried phone activation but it asked me if I was activating 'Office for Mac', it then put me through to MS employee who said I need to contact Acer

Can you detail step by step what exactly you are doing?

 

[freedomit]

Can you detail step by step what exactly you are doing?

Yep, thanks for help so far. I have repeated all steps again as follows...

1) Download media creation tool from here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

2) Select English UK, Windows 8.1 Pro, 64bit and create bootable USB

3) Boot Windows 8.1 Setup, type in key recovered using RWEverything and get error 'The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation'

4) Type in 'Windows 8 Pro' key from https://www.technibble.com/forums/resources/how-to-extract-the-windows-8-product-key-from-bios.9/

5) Drive has 5 partitions at the moment, delete the only large partition and then select install windows. We have read deleting the other partitions cant mess with the secure boot on the hybrid so have left them as is.

6) Boot Windows, setup local user, connect to internet. Windows shows an not activated and prompts to 'Enter Key' or 'Buy Key' The error code is 0xC004C003 Activation Server determined the specific product key has been blocked

7) Entering the RWEverything key says 'this key cant be used to activate this edition of Windows'

8) There is no option of phone activation anywhere. We loaded cmd and typed slui 4 this allowed us to phone activate but says its Office for Mac and then puts us through to an employee who asks for a key and tells us to call Acer.

 

[freedomit]

.... we have also tried installing using a Windows 8.1 Pro OEM disk we copied when doing a custom build, same process.

Another thing we tried was editing the ei.cfg file on the bootable USB so it would install without a key but same problem.

http://www.howtogeek.com/187525/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-of-windows-8.1-with-a-windows-8-key/

 

[PCX]

Ah, that might be why. I am not sure how the USB refresh media works when it comes to activation. We personally use an OEM Windows 8.1 disk to create our images. Have you tried using an OEM Disk instead?

 

[PCX]

.... we have also tried installing using a Windows 8.1 Pro OEM disk we copied when doing a custom build, same process.

Another thing we tried was editing the ei.cfg file on the bootable USB so it would install without a key but same problem.

http://www.howtogeek.com/187525/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-of-windows-8.1-with-a-windows-8-key/

Try and a clean OEM disk, not tied to a manufacture.

 

[freedomit]

Try and a clean OEM disk, not tied to a manufacture.

Sorry that's what I meant, we did a custom build PC and purchased Windows 8.1 OEM from our supplier. At the time we then copied that disk for future use.

 

[freedomit]

I found an old Windows 8 Pro MAPS disk so im going to give that a try

 

[PCX]

Sorry that's what I meant, we did a custom build PC and purchased Windows 8.1 OEM from our supplier. At the time we then copied that disk for future use.

Ah, I was thinking it was a disk for Sager or iBuyPower.

I honestly have not run into this particular issue before, are you sure that it came with Windows 8 Pro and not Windows 8 core?

 

[freedomit]

Ah, I was thinking it was a disk for Sager or iBuyPower.

I honestly have not run into this particular issue before, are you sure that it came with Windows 8 Pro and not Windows 8 core?

It was domain joined so im fairly certain it was Pro

 

[PCX]

It was domain joined so im fairly certain it was Pro

The Windows 8 Pro sticker on the bottom of the laptop will be blue and will say "Windows 8 Pro" the core version will be a purplish red and will only say Windows 8.

 

[freedomit]

Im so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry for wasting your time. I took this job over from another tech who had already spent hours trying to install Windows 8.1 Pro, turns out the laptop isn't Pro and wasn't domain joined. He was using his work email account as his live account and the tech got confused. I didn't check the sticker as its in a horrible plastic shell thing and isn't easy to get to, I wrongly assumed the tech knew what he was installing.

Anyway problem solved, sorry once again. Someone is getting a kick up the arse!!!