Windows 10: Can't activate Windows no matter what I do

That was the same message I got during the last bru-ha-ha, too. Sent you the upgrade info just a minute ago.

 

Your key is valid... just the server is not validating it. Was Win 7 activated when you did the upgrade?

 

Yes. Checked before I changed out the parts. I checked my MS account, too, and my old PC and new PC descriptions are there. I also did the 'Troubleshooting' and selected 'I upgraded hardware recently'. It took me to a screen that looked like this:





so I don't know where it's looking.

 

Unfortunately there is nothing much we can do about MS not finding the existing licence.. it's happened before that we needed to re-create the licence from scratch.

The unable to reach the server thing is what baffles me tho'... it's not like a server response saying you are not entitled but more like "I don't have the info required to activate"

 

I have to run to an appointment that'll probably be 1 1/2 hours or so. Don't know how late you are there but we can catch up tomorrow if need be. Let me know.

If things don't work out here, I'll purchase a new key but I'm worried that the new key will act in the same way that I'm having now so I'm really leery about going that route for $200.00.

Anyway, back in about 1 1/2 hours.

As always, thanks for all your wonderful help.

 

No prob, but before splashing out on a new key I'm gonna try yours on a clean VM install tomorrow... there's something in your upgrade that seems funky.

 

OK. Really appreciate it. Strange, as I didn't have any issues with activation, even with an earlier hardware change, until these latest CU and Fall CU changes

 

Have you got internet working ok and nothing in the host file to block the server. To be fair if its the second time you have had new hardware its a new pc so you should get a new key

 

@rzn6jw

Sorry for the late reply...

Anyway.. I tested your Win 7 key and it does work to attain digital licencing! *Party

This is a pic narration:

Note: it gave the same error as you before internet was connected.

That the key I sent you (which is proven to work) did not (work per PM) makes me think that the image you have installed has connectivity problems.

As suggested. a clean install should yield the same results as my VM test - backup your current installation first - do a clean install (on yournew new SSD) BTW the iso can be done with Download Windows 10 ISO File Windows 10 Tutorials

Once you have a digital licence for the PC you can restore the image to have all oldie apps back.

If activation is still an issue you will have to make some tough decisions on keeping that old install.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

 

Thanks for all your help @Superfly.

Clean installed Windows on the new M.2 drive. Activated OK this time. In the process of reloading all my other programs. By the way, Windows on a M.2 stick is really great! <30 seconds to the desktop where it took over 4 minutes from a Restart before.

Again, thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

 

Even the m.2 SATA drives are pretty quick. I put one in my son's Asrock Z97 Killer Fatal1ty motherboard, and it was a big jump from the EVO 850 SATA SSD it had been using before. Good stuff!
--Ed--

 

You are welcome... enjoy the AMD rig... good choice! *Wink