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30780
December 13th, 2015 11:00
Windows activation problem
I have an XPS 8500 that came from the factory with Windows 8. Soon after the purchase (around first of 2013) I made the rescue disks on 4 DVDs. Recently the hard drive failed. I gave the Dell salesman the service tag # and ordered a new hard drive. I Asked what I needed to re-install the OS. I was told I needed a USB key ($39.99) and ordered one. I was told this would get me up and running.
I installed the new drive and inserted the USB key. Windows installed and runs. However, I cannot activate Windows. Using Belarc advisor I was able to find my Windows key imbedded on the bios. When I input that key the pop up tells me that the current edition is Windows 8 Pro and the current product key ends with QPBRC. This differs from the product key embedded in the bios and I get an error code of 0xc004c003 'the activation server determined the specified product key has been blocked" and that I need to purchase a new key.
I'm assuming that the problem is that I have a valid key for Windows 8 but not Windows 8 Pro.
I called Dell and was given a number to call Microsoft; alternatively, I was told that I'd need to go through Dell's tech support at a cost of around $250.
I am at a loss at this point. Any suggestions are welcome!
chasblount
11 Posts
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December 16th, 2015 15:00
There is another way that works. First, I've now learned I didn't need the $39.99 USB key from Dell at all. Instead, one can download the correct version (in my case, Windows 8 or 8.1 home edition) from Microsoft as an iso file and create a bootable USB flash drive. Using the bootable USB drive installs the correct version of Windows, and Windows automatically authenticates without any inputting of a product key. Voila! I'm now up and running. The procedure is documented at http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/
ieee488
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December 13th, 2015 15:00
Why didn't you try the 4 rescue DVDs you made earlier?
chasblount
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December 13th, 2015 16:00
Since they were created with the old hard drive I wasn't sure that was the better course of action with a new hard drive. Then, when I asked the Dell salesperson what I needed and was told a USB key I assumed that was what I should use. Moreover, it took a week to get the replacement hard drive and I didn't want to get it and then find that I needed the USB key (another week of down time).
After discovering the problem (that the USB key installed 8 Pro and I have a product number for 8), I have considered trying to install the OS using the disks. I would really like to resolve this issue without completely reinstalling the OS because I've already reinstalled some of my programs and hate to have to do this all over again.
rdunnill
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December 13th, 2015 16:00
Newegg offers full OEM copies of Windows 8.1 for $120, on sale.
Alternatively, you can buy a copy of Windows 7 on eBay, and upgrade to 10.
ieee488
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December 13th, 2015 17:00
If you hadn't wanted to re-install everything, you would cloned your old hard drive.
Your option now is to re-install with the 4 DVDs you created. You do what you want.
chasblount
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December 13th, 2015 17:00
Thank you. I hope, however, that there is a solution that doesn't involve purchasing a completely new OS. Why would Dell sell me a USB key for $39.99 that is worthless? Since I gave them my service tag number they knew the configuration. I'm disappointed they sold me a key for an OS I didn't have originally installed,
Wouldn't it be better to purchase a USB key that has my original OS (Windows 8 -- not 8 Pro) on it?
Moreover, I'm leery of upgrading to Windows 10 because Dell has indicated it is not recommended for the XPS 8500 because Dell hasn't tested it with Win 10 and isn't going to continue to support/update the drivers.
kirkd
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December 17th, 2015 08:00
Microsoft pulled the free Win 8.1 ISO downloads months ago. If you download from some other source, it's NOT legal, and there is a good chance you will end up with an infected machine. You should try the free Win 10 ISO download.
chasblount
11 Posts
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December 18th, 2015 06:00
Hmmm. I downloaded the Windows 8 ISO from http//windows.microsoft.com/en-U.S./windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media. Looks like an authorized download to me. I'm up and running Windows 8 with the new hard rive and Windows activated. For what it's worth I also ran full scans with Windows Defender and Malwarebytes and as far as I can tell I'm not infected.