Windows 10: Upgraded hardware, windows 10 Pro RETAIL not activiating

Hello forum,


I've read through many of the posts regarding activation after hardware changes. I replaced everything except hard drives and DVD writer.
Despite having a retail channel version upgrade from Windows 7 Pro, activation throws 0xC004C003., which seems to be a key problem, but I checked before upgrading my hardware, and the license was digital, linked to my ID.


I downloaded ShowKeyPlus, which returned (Full keys not revealed):

Windows Product Key Information
Product Name: Windows 10 Pro
Product ID: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-AA036
Installed Key: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-3V66T
Original Key: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-P23JD
Original Edition: Windows 7 Professional Retail
OEM Key: OEM key not present in firmware


I was going to uninstall the key as mentioned in another question: https://winaero.com/blog/how-to-deactivate-windows-10-and-change-the-product-key/


I am unsure which key to reinstall with, the 'Original', or 'Installed' key.


This situation has also deactivated Office 2016, stating that the key has been used too many times. I thought the whole point of linking to MS ID was to avoid this situation.

:)

 

Windows 10 Release Date Announced

Windows 10 Home will be $119, Pro $199.

Microsoft: Windows 10 Home costs $119, Pro costs $199



Which is good news actually, because Windows 8.1 is loads cheaper than previous versions (retail licensing at Windows 7 OEM prices). And it sort of puts a huge hole in the Windows subscription theory.

 

Windows 10 upgrade problem, no input accepted

I really hate having to come here and ask for help, but I really am stumped. It hurts my geek pride. I have a PC with fairly modern hardware in it. It has a p8p67 pro in it. I have tried upgrading windows 10 on it twice now. Both times I have had the same result.

After windows finishes upgrading it goes to the log in/set up screen. I can't do anything. No keyboard or mouse input is accepted.

I will list some, or hopefully all, of the troubleshooting steps I have tried:

• Move keyboard and mouse to different USB ports.
• Try different keyboard or mouse.
• Restart computer, repeatedly.
• Google for related issues.
• Update Bios, because why not.
• Create boot media and revert to windows 7.

The windows 10 system restore boot media works fine with keyboard and mouse. All USB ports work in windows 7. I don't know what is wrong. I suspect that windows 10 is lacking a driver of some sort, but since the computer accepts no input I have no way of checking for which driver let alone installing it.

Please help me figure this out. If I have to revert back to windows 7 again, I am not going to get it upgraded to windows 10. Thank you in advanced.

 

Windows 8 Pro Retail => Windows 10 Pro (Free upgrade) Fails Activation after hardware change

Hi,

I bought 2 retail licenses (one for my desktop and one for my laptop) for Windows 8 several years ago and upgraded to Windows 10 (via the free upgrade). Recently I had to change some hardware (motherboard) and I get the following error code when trying to
activate Windows: 0xC004C003.

I have tried the following, all of which have failed.

1. Troubeshoot -> I recently changed hardware on this device (I can only see my Laptop License and not my desktop)
2. Provided the Installation ID (via phone helpdesk) on two occasions.

First help desk technician suggested I buy a new Windows License and the second suggested I reinstall and use Windows 8. Both suggestions from help desk are ridiculous.

How do I proceed without having to:

1. Pay for a license I should technically already have
2. Downgrade back to Windows 8 (loose time / data)