UNSOLVED
G
George2015
6 Posts
0
4668
April 1st, 2019 09:00
XPS 8700, can't activate Windows 8.1 after restore
I have restored the windows 8.1 after 3-6 times windows loading failed, I followed the instructions on this site( Dell support article about 8.1 system restore), I also downloaded the newest drivers with my product service tag, I installed only two of them: Dell backup and recovery application(for recover the documents before I restore the system), Dell XPS 8700 system BIOS :which is listed as Urgent. I notice that my system did not activate after I restart windows, I tried to activate it but it's not working. Please let me know if there is any way to solve this !!
(I tried RW-Everything read the key but the key not working)
3860
0
Posted April 1st, 2019 11:00
Windows 10 1809 will take a 7 key.
Windows 8.0 or 8.1 will not.
An XPS 8700 with windows 8.1 would have windows genuine Sticker with the 8.X key in BIOS not on a COA.
3857
0
Posted April 1st, 2019 11:00
Thank you for your reply !!! My XPS 8700 come with preinstalled windows 8.1 without any windows sticker on the computer.
3856
0
Posted April 1st, 2019 14:00
@George2015 wrote:
Thank you for your reply !!! My XPS 8700 come with pre-installed windows 8.1 without any windows sticker on the computer.
Some Windows-8 machines had CoA stickers (no burned-in key), and some had key burned into BIOS. If neither, then there is more to this story.
Like you bought it refurbished or motherboard was swapped with one that was missing the burned-in key.... something like that.
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.3846
0
Posted April 1st, 2019 17:00
this is a PrintScreen image from my activate page:
which was showed it already got a key from the BIOS, but it is not correct or expired.
I have never replaced any hardware in this computer.
3850
0
Posted April 1st, 2019 17:00
Thank you so much! I forgot to mention that I bought the brand new XPS 8700 from Dell in 2014，It came with Windows 8.1 without any sticker on the computer, I didn't know the key burned into BIOS if I knew it I won't upgrade Bios, Was the key lost after Bios was upgraded?
3236
0
Posted April 2nd, 2019 10:00
@George2015 wrote:
1. I didn't know the key burned into BIOS
2. if I knew it I won't upgrade Bios, Was the key lost after Bios was upgraded?
1. Yes, it is ... but not the first ones (with Dell anyway). Sometimes, there are 2 different motherboards (each way). Also, some "spare parts" motherboards for machines that only come "burned-in" ...still have no burned-in key because you are expected to use the one from the old motherboard (I know, unreasonable/lame request) or buy a new license.
2. I've never heard of that. I've also never heard of a way to change the burned-in key (even if it is experimental hardware or fake/dummy key).
Is there some chance that this was a "beta or evaluation" machine ?
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.3830
0
Posted April 2nd, 2019 10:00
@George2015 wrote:
1. this is a PrintScreen image from my activate page:
2. which was showed it already got a key from the BIOS,
1. Are you sure you were connected to the Internet when you did this?
2. Not sure I would interpret it that way.
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.3807
0
Posted April 3rd, 2019 09:00
Can you clarify? 1. You have no Windows 8.1 sticker (like the ones below and if so, what one) and 2. RWeverything shows no MSDM tab? Does it also show no SLIC tab? 3. Have you ever had Windows 10 installed and activated on this machine? 4. Are you using the Windows 8.1 with Update 2 ISO from Microsoft's Media Creation Tool?
The Product Key should not disappear after a UEFI BIOS update although one or two users have reported it going missing after one before.
2360
0
Posted April 3rd, 2019 20:00
Thank you so much for your reply. 1. Yes, My XPS 8700 bought from dell brand new, no windows 8.1 sticker. 2. RWeverything shows the key same with the one in the activate failed page.3. I have never upgraded it to windows 10 on this machine.4. I restored the system using refreshing pc option because I can't back up the full 2 TB files to an external drive.
Tesla1856
10 Wizard
•
17979 Posts
•
71574 Points
3867
0
Posted April 1st, 2019 09:00
Find the Windows-7 CoA sticker on the machine and use that key.
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.