Microsoft Support USELESS

[iamdarkyoshi]

So my installation is being stupid. I lost activation. This is the story behind the PC:

 

1. Bought PC without sticker registered to windows 7 pro from an IT office

 

2. PC upgraded to windows 10 pro using free upgrade

 

3. MagicalJellybean used to find windows 10 key

 

4. Key recorded on piece of paper

 

5. Windows 10 installed fresh to avoid driver issues, key from paper is used to activate

 

6. Motherboard had to be RMA'ed due to faulty ram slots

 

7. New motherboard installed, windows 10 lost activation.

 

Error code: 0xC004C003

 

What I did was contact Microsoft using the online web chat thing. I told them this and then I told them that a user on a tech forum said they got theirs activated by letting Microsoft remote into the PC to confirm installation and whatnot, and Microsoft could activate it from there. 

 

And then the service rep ended the chat. WTF??? Unfortunately I did not screenshot it, I damn well should have though.

 

 

Any thoughts? This watermark is annoying. And so is their customer support. I had been on the phone with them and online chat in the past about this issue, and they could not resolve it.

[thekeemo]

sent you a solution over skype

[ChasingPluto]

Oh. Well that's unfortunate. I've had nothing but good experiences with Microsoft Support.

[iamdarkyoshi]

Tomorrow i will try again. If they dont help me this time, I am telling them that I will be left with no other choice than to pirate. If they cant get my PAID key to activate, then I aint supporting them.

[zMeul]

since you changed the motherboard, you need to install a fresh copy of W7 with the original key - it might not activate, so a call to MS would solve it with the receipt for the RMA in hand

after that do a upgrade to Windows 10

 

 

or you could just wait, dunno how long exactly, until MS releases a new retail build that accepts W7 and W8(.1) keys - MS is testing this right now

 

 

the W10 key you dug up after the W7->W10 upgrade is a generic key and cannot be used for a clean install

[VAkena]

Although I don't condone software exploitation, this is what I did on one of my systems:

 

1. Create a boot-able Windows 8.1 Pro USB (Microsoft has a tool for this - it's seamless)

 

2. Try and find a suitable product key from this site:

 

http://umyhacker.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/windows-81-retail-keys-and-activate.html

 

3. From the boot-able USB click 'Setup' and let it run through - it might ask you for a product key before you continue

 

4. You should be fine after it installs - then make sure everything is up to date then upgrade to Windows 10 when the button appears

 

NOTE: If you land on the desktop and it's not activated try and download the Microsoft Tookkit

 

Good luck ​ 

[iamdarkyoshi]

I wanted to perform a clean installation to avoid driver conflicts though. I have honestly lost track how many times I have reinstalled, and I dont want to do it again.

[GoodBytes]

That is not how you activate Windows 10.

The key you got is not the right key.

Follow these instructions:

http://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-to-clean-install-windows-10/

When you upgrade Windows 10 for free, it generates a Hardware ID based on your system configuration, and associates it with your Microsoft account (although I think it works with Local account), and stored on the cloud.

One Windows 10 TH2 will be released (coming in early November, expected) Microsoft has changed the activation system, so that it will support Windows 7 and Windows 8 keys. (This is probably after the setup, as it needs to check online if the key was previously activated, but that is my guess, Microsoft has not issued any details yet.

[iamdarkyoshi]

That is not how you activate Windows 10.

The key you got is not the right key.

Follow these instructions:

http://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-to-clean-install-windows-10/

When you upgrade Windows 10 for free, it generates a Hardware ID based on your system configuration, and associates it with your Microsoft account (although I think it works with Local account), and stored on the cloud.

One Windows 10 TH2 will be released (coming in early November, expected) Microsoft has changed the activation system, so that it will support Windows 7 and Windows 8 keys. (This is probably after the setup, as it needs to check online if the key was previously activated, but that is my guess, Microsoft has not issued any details yet.

Only issue here? I did not check to see what the original key was. I feel like an idiot.

[GoodBytes]

Only issue here? I did not check to see what the original key was. I feel like an idiot.

Well then I can't help you. You can try the key you got from MagicalJellybean and hope that was the key that was pulled.

If you got the license key from your work place, assuming that is the case, in reality the license you had is only if your system is part of the company (yes, you have external licenses, for laptops for examples, owned by businesses for employees on the go). Depending on the setup of the company and acquired license, that system needs to return back within 90days to the company network for re-activation with company's Windows Server (ie: go back to the network).

[iamdarkyoshi]

Well then I can't help you. You can try the key you got from MagicalJellybean and hope that was the key that was pulled, but in reality the license you had is only if your system is part of the company (yes, you have external licenses, for laptops for examples, owned by businesses for employees on the go). Depending on the setup of the company, that system needs to return back within 90days to the company network for re-activation with company Windows Server.

Hmm... I guess I might have to buy my OS... Wait, I think my mediaserver has an unused key on it. Lemme try that. Or something.

[GoodBytes]

Hmm... I guess I might have to buy my OS... Wait, I think my mediaserver has an unused key on it. Lemme try that. Or something.

Sure, if it doesn't work (assuming you are using the key with the version of Windows it is intended for), try phone activation. It might be rejected due to hardware change, but the phone activation should work.

[iamdarkyoshi]

Sure, if it doesn't work (assuming you are using the key with the version of Windows it is intended for), try phone activation. It might be rejected due to hardware change, but the phone activation should work.

The unused key is a windows 7 key though. And I tried the phone method on my current installation, and it did not work. Then it forwarded me to a service rep who spent half an hour on me and couldnt figure anything out (RIP time left on phone)

[GoodBytes]

The unused key is a windows 7 key though. And I tried the phone method on my current installation, and it did not work. Then it forwarded me to a service rep who spent half an hour on me and couldnt figure anything out (RIP time left on phone)

Windows key should be used for the same version of Windows and edition.

For example:

If your key is for Windows 7 Home Premium Retail. It will ONLY work with the installation (so you need the disk) of Windows 7 Home Premium Retail 32 or 64-bit. If you use the OEM or another edition disk, it won't work. It needs to be a perfect match (beside 32/64-bit version, that, the key doesn't care). I don't recall for Windows 7, but I think the Service Pack even needs to match.

Yes it is sucky, but it is what it is.

[iamdarkyoshi]

well, I might just buy windows 10 outright, and if that doesnt activate, then I will really complain. I like windows 10, and it was my first (almost) legitimately activated OS

[GoodBytes]

well, I might just buy windows 10 outright, and if that doesnt activate, then I will really complain. I like windows 10, and it was my first (almost) legitimately activated OS

You can maybe find cheap keys. I know nothing about, but they are many threads here on this. I don't know if this stuff risky or not, however (or even legal, as they are too cheap to be real).