Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
3 Posts
0
3453
July 11th, 2016 15:00
Windows Activation Error Code 0x8004FC12
I have a Dell purchased machine that had problems last year.
It was refreshed using a Dell OS Recovery and Restore USB key
I would like to install Windows 10, but it won't allow me because Windows is not activated.
When I attempt to activate it I get error code 0x8004FC12.
Windows support suggests reentering the Windows code, but I don't have it.
The activation screen is showing the final 4 digits of the code, so I am guessing this machine has it on the BIOS.
I cannot access the Event Logs for some unknown reason so it is hard to diagnose any problem.
How should I proceed?
<ADMIN NOTE: Service tag removed per privacy policy>
0 events found
No Events found!
ejn63
11 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
•
321.3K Points
0
July 12th, 2016 05:00
What OS are you installing? If it's Windows 8, was the system board ever replaced?
baga0006
3 Posts
0
July 12th, 2016 07:00
Running windows 8.1 currently. I would like to install windows 10.
No hardware changes have been made.
ejn63
11 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
•
321.3K Points
0
July 12th, 2016 15:00
Does the version of Windows you're installing match the one listed on the label inside the battery compartment?
baga0006
3 Posts
0
July 12th, 2016 16:00
I was unaware of the label, but that should not matter.
I am not trying to install a new O/S yet....I am simply trying to Activate the current O/S.
The machine is currently running Windows 8.1 and Windows is NOT activated.
I am guessing that the activation failed or did not happen after using the Dell recovery tool last fall.
I would like to upgrade to Windows 10.
Windows Activation is a prerequisite for the upgrade.
When I try to activate Windows an error is thrown (0x8004FC12).
The Windows support pages indicate that I should reenter the key.
I do not know the key...but the final 4 digits appear onscreen, so I presume the BIOS knows the key.
I would like to know how to recover the key, or have Dell send me the key.
Thanks
ejn63
11 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
•
321.3K Points
0
July 13th, 2016 04:00
The problem you're seeing WILL happen if you're using 8.1 Pro recovery media on a system that shipped with non-pro 8.0 or 8.1. That's why the version does matter.
Was the Dell recovery media made on this system, or on a different model -- perhaps with a different version of the operating system?
You can also try using Windows 10 TH2 media (make sure you use 10 if your system had 8/8.1 or 10 Pro ONLY if the label indicates 8/8.1 pro):
news.softpedia.com/.../how-to-download-windows-10-th2-november-update-isos-from-microsoft-496554.shtml
speedstep
11 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
July 13th, 2016 07:00
We’re sorry, something went wrong and we can’t do this for you right now. Please try again later. (0x8004FC12)
This issue is fixed in the Windows 10 November update (FAQ), which will automatically download and install when it’s available. The FAQ also provides a manual method to check for this update.
If you can't update Windows right away, you can use this procedure as a workaround. Note that this will only work if you're a member of the local Administrators group.
In search, type command prompt.
In the search results, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Copy the following commands and paste them into the command prompt by right-clicking and selecting paste (you can't use CTRL + V in the Command Prompt window to paste). Copy one command at a time, and press Enter after pasting each one in the Command Prompt.
net localgroup Administrators localservice /add
fsutil resource setautoreset true C:\
netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
After you've entered all of the commands, reboot your device and try activating again.
“Windows in not activated“. It will be showing that the pre-installed Key for Windows 10 is invalid.
If you do not get activation BEFORE JULY 29 it will never activate.
We don't hand out free windows keys on the dell forum.