Stolen activation key?

[SparkShot]

I recently bought an unopened Windows 10 instillation DVD but when I went to use it, the activation failed because the key was supposedly already used on another system.

I have tried both the online and phone support for Microsoft and neither has been any help. The phone support, in particular, just hangs up on me when it can't figure out a solution rather than offering to talk to a representative. I'm convinced there's not a single human left outside of the C-suite.

[TylerD321]

I would contact where you bought the installation DVD rather than microsoft themselves.

[XNOR]

54 minutes ago, SparkShot said:

I recently bought an unopened Windows 10 instillation DVD but when I went to use it, the activation failed because the key was supposedly already used on another system.

I have tried both the online and phone support for Microsoft and neither has been any help. The phone support, in particular, just hangs up on me when it can't figure out a solution rather than offering to talk to a representative. I'm convinced there's not a single human left outside of the C-suite.

Where did you buy the DVD from? A reputable reseller? A small outfit? Some random Ebay listing?

[Dedayog]

1 hour ago, SparkShot said:

I recently bought an unopened Windows 10 instillation DVD but when I went to use it, the activation failed because the key was supposedly already used on another system.

I have tried both the online and phone support for Microsoft and neither has been any help. The phone support, in particular, just hangs up on me when it can't figure out a solution rather than offering to talk to a representative. I'm convinced there's not a single human left outside of the C-suite.

Curious why you bought the DVD, unless you have no access to internet, or a PC that can't boot off USB?

 

Unopened DVD is shrink wrapped?  We had one in college, won't tell you why...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Hanchen-Cellophane-Overwrapping-Cigarette-Cosmetics/dp/B08LB33JGY/ref=sxin_25_sbv_search_btf?content-id=amzn1.sym.6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356%3Aamzn1.sym.6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356&crid=118IETEIRF0XO&cv_ct_cx=shrink+wrap+machine&keywords=shrink+wrap+machine&pd_rd_i=B08LB33JGY&pd_rd_r=b9e652aa-6fb7-4384-9893-9e51272cb668&pd_rd_w=ckJ39&pd_rd_wg=C6vOR&pf_rd_p=6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356&pf_rd_r=Z8SJ6SBNE0W1Z44AZN73&qid=1692302947&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=shrink+wrap+machine%2Caps%2C110&sr=1-1-5190daf0-67e3-427c-bea6-c72c1df98776&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0

 

 

 

[santosh98]

any idea if the key is retail or OEM? What did seller tell you about the key?

[SparkShot]

43 minutes ago, XNOR said:

Where did you buy the DVD from? A reputable reseller? A small outfit? Some random Ebay listing?

Ebay, a store with 97% positive feedback at nearly 1000 sales.

25 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

Curious why you bought the DVD, unless you have no access to internet, or a PC that can't boot off USB?

 

Unopened DVD is shrink wrapped?  We had one in college, won't tell you why...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Hanchen-Cellophane-Overwrapping-Cigarette-Cosmetics/dp/B08LB33JGY/ref=sxin_25_sbv_search_btf?content-id=amzn1.sym.6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356%3Aamzn1.sym.6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356&crid=118IETEIRF0XO&cv_ct_cx=shrink+wrap+machine&keywords=shrink+wrap+machine&pd_rd_i=B08LB33JGY&pd_rd_r=b9e652aa-6fb7-4384-9893-9e51272cb668&pd_rd_w=ckJ39&pd_rd_wg=C6vOR&pf_rd_p=6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356&pf_rd_r=Z8SJ6SBNE0W1Z44AZN73&qid=1692302947&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=shrink+wrap+machine%2Caps%2C110&sr=1-1-5190daf0-67e3-427c-bea6-c72c1df98776&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0

 

 

 

I've always preferred having a physical copy of software when available.

I'm pretty sure it was shrink-wrapped? Regardless, the factory seals and scratch-off were still intact.

13 minutes ago, santosh98 said:

any idea if the key is retail or OEM? What did seller tell you about the key?

OEM, the factory seals and scratch-off were still intact.

[Guest]

6 hours ago, SparkShot said:

I recently bought an unopened Windows 10 instillation DVD but when I went to use it, the activation failed because the key was supposedly already used on another system.

I have tried both the online and phone support for Microsoft and neither has been any help. The phone support, in particular, just hangs up on me when it can't figure out a solution rather than offering to talk to a representative. I'm convinced there's not a single human left outside of the C-suite.

Can you install Windows then look up the key? Using something like ProduKey? or Product Key Scanner? 

[santosh98]

Are OEM keys supposed to be sold like that separately as a stand alone product?

They are generally integrated by OEM in the firmware or pasted as a sticker on the actual PC/laptop hardware itself and hence cheaper when bought together with hardware as  one product I suppose.