First remove your tag by editing your post. Personal info is not allowed in the forum for your safety. You do not need to enter any key to upgrade to 8.1 as long as you have windows 8 installed. You hidden key is read automatically. Most invalid key messages are caused by using the wrong one or by typos.The activation key is 25 characters of numbers and letters in groups of 5-- xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx. If your computer came with win 8, you do not see your key since it is kept in the bios, embedded on the mother board. 

The tag is correct and works fine. Try using it again after you remove it from your post.

One other thing about the service tag. When I go to the tech support area and it ask you to put in the tag number I get this error msg.

"We are sorry that we could not locate your contract data now, Please try again later"

Not sure what that is about at all?

Thanks

Thanks for the reply.

But after numerous tries trying to update it still does not allow me to update. I have the product key I have typed it in not copy and paste and still no joy...

I even went to the Microsoft site downloaded the link for the update and : "This product key didn't work. Check it and try again" ???????????????????

Store error:

"Your Windows 8.1 install couldn't be completed"

"Something happened and the install of windows 8.1 could not be completed"

What else would you suggest.

Thanks again for the help

Edit sorry the product is a XPS 1810 which means the first scenario is most likely

Its a bit hard to follow what the actual question is as there are different scenarios depending on how you got Windows 8. Can you answer what applies to your systems?

Did your system come with Windows 8 preinstalled by Dell?

If so then the product key is hidden within the system BIOS and you will not have a label stating what it is.

You would have to upgrade from Windows 8.0 to Windows 8.1 via the Microsoft store:

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/download-microsoft-windows/upgrading-to-windows-8-1-from-windows-8-0-via-the-microsoft-store/

If you have a sticker with a product key it is likely for Microsoft Office and not for Microsoft Windows.

Did your system come with Windows XP, Vista or 7 preinstalled by Dell and did you upgrade to Windows 8.0 by purchasing Windows 8.0 from Microsoft?

If so this is a Microsoft fault and not a Dell fault.

Microsoft would have sent you an email with your product key or you would have got it in a case with the installation disc.

Microsoft unfortunately and very foolishly made Windows 8.0 product keys incompatible with the Windows 8.1 downloader and Windows 8.1 installation .iso. I have documented a workaround here however:

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-iso/

.

 

 

Yes you are correct, the OS is per-install from Dell and yes its hard keyed in the BIOS.

(Just so you know I have it already installed the update) this suggestion did not work!

The second suggestion produced the same result. "Product key does not work". I was able to use a temp key suggested on another site to get the software but being a new system and being the owner of the current key, you would think one should be able to download and install with out problem, But for the moment I'm not having any joy getting the OS updated.

Thanks for your help.

Update

Just got off the phone with Microsoft Support and the tech could not help. I have been given a number to an elevated support person and will try again when I can sit on the phone for another hour or so.

I will post on progress so as to at least this might help someone out in the future......

I don't have an OEM system but the following instructions are reported to help identify the Windows 8 product key:

http://forums.tweakarena.com/showthread.php?t=226

Using the RW Everything utility:

http://rweverything.com/download/

Can you get the product key using this program and can you try to go to system properties > change product key and use it to activate?

Thanks for the reply!

But the product key does not seem to be the issue, Microsoft shows that it is registered with them. During my bonding time with the technician in the Philippines (who I might add spoke clear English) said the product key is in the system and active and she did not understand why it would not download the update. (using remote access) could not find the problem.

there was a few errors fixed with:

sfc /scannow

ran the troubleshooter at (Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Troubleshooting) "fix problems with windows update"

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Update 1/20/2013

This morning the update download is working now???????????? I have no idea why. It was not working during the time during remote access but now it is. So lets see what happens when I install it. I'm sure that will be a disaster, but who knows.

Now I just need Dell to recognize my service tag number so I can try and communicate with them for help. they still report:

"We are sorry that we could not locate your contract data now, Please try again later."

"We were unable to verify the Service Tag or Express Service Code you have entered. Please verify your entry or choose one of the options to the right. "

Could maybe one of the moderators please help me with this!

Thanks for your reply.

As soon as I get it going I will update!

There have been multiple problems with the Microsoft Store. It sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.

For this reason I have compiled all the problems I have found and sent a report to this competition:

http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/extras/b/news/archive/2013/12/18/techcenter-is-looking-for-your-feedback-take-the-ultimate-tech-challenge-and-be-entered-for-a-chance-to-win-an-xps-12.aspx

Anyway let me know how the update goes.

I will try and get a Dell personnel to look into your issue with the Service Tag.