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Inspiron 15 won't activate Windows 8.1 - no MSDM tab, nothing finds key in BIOS
I've been handed a non-booting laptop and found the hard drive is dead, I've popped WIndows 8.1 on it but it won't activate. I've tried RWEverything and each other key reading tool I can find and none of them can find a Windows 8/8/1 key, I've tried updating the bios to the latest and ensuring UEFI is enabled but still no luck.
The laptop has apparently never had a new motherboard although it did have a new hard drive under warranty in its first year. From reading topics here since the machine is out of warranty there's not much more I can do aside from purchase a license or look into W7 options but thought it's worth checking.
Thanks,
John
Philip_Yip
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April 8th, 2017 13:00
Press [Windows] and [ r ] and type in msinfo32 and press [Enter]. Provide us with the system model, system manufacturer, BIOS version and SMBIOS version.
Next run RWEverything and select Access ACPI tables, you have already stated you have no MSDM table but do you have a SLIC table? If it has a SLIC table you can install Windows 7 using OEM SLP and then generate a genuineticket and use this with a clean install of Windows 10 to make your system a Windows 10 Edition Device.
Also check under the battery for a Windows 7 COA. If it has a Windows 7 COA you use this key to install Windows 10. Windows 7 OEM keys still activate the Windwos 10 RS2 build.
Johnmcl7
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April 8th, 2017 16:00
The SLIC table is present and I believe the W7 to Windows 10 install is a possibility but was wanting to exhaust the W8.1 options first. When I initially couldn't find the W8 keys I thought it must have come with W7 but no sign of a CoA under the battery or under the main HDD/ram panel
Philip_Yip
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April 8th, 2017 17:00
What model of Dell is this?
You will need to use these steps to install Windows 7 using OEM SLP:
Once you have got a Windows 7 OEM install activated and online you'll need to generate a genuineticket. This can then be used with the Windows 10 RS2 clean install:
Johnmcl7
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April 8th, 2017 17:00
It's an Inspiron 15 3543, I'm aware of how to activate W7/W10 but the owner was wanting Windows 8.1 back on it the same as it was before so I was wanting to check I wasn't missing something when I couldn't find the W8 license.