Windows 8.1 Activation Problem


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So, I got my wife a Toshiba Encore 8 tab for Christmas (one of the new Baytrail processor tablets), with Windows 8.1 pre-installed.  Mid January the micro-USB port broke so had to send it back for repair, really annoying.

 

We got it back Monday, and last night the missus hands it back saying there's something wrong with Windows... So I take a look, and for some reason, the installation of Windows is no longer activated!  I tried to reactivate, and I get an error code telling me the product key has been blocked... :S

 

I went through the phone reactivation process, and that failed... so I tried talking to someone at Microsoft Activation about it, and they couldn't activate it either.  They said I'd have to contact Toshiba.

 

I'd really rather not have to send the damned thing back again... We only just got it back after a month away for repair, so does anyone have any (legal) suggestions as to how to fix the busted activation?

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it's still the OEM installation? If so then it should had access to the SLIC table where the Windows 8.x key is located. I would contact Toshiba reporting the problem and if possible deliver the laptop into one of their support centers.

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Cant think of one unless you bought a new one or grab a new key off of a surface pro from best buy :o

 

Windows 8 machines don't have stickers with product keys like previous Windows, only the logo. Keys are embedded in the UEFI.

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Did you use one of the free keys that upgraded to Pro with Media Center?

 

It's a tablet... Windows 8.1 was pre-installed.  No media center keys or anything used.

 

it's still the OEM installation? If so then it should had access to the SLIC table where the Windows 8.x key is located. I would contact Toshiba reporting the problem and if possible deliver the laptop into one of their support centers.

 

Yeah, still the OEM installation. Clearly, they did something to it during the repair... You'd think they'd check stuff like this.

 

Nearest Toshiba support centre is over 100 miles from me. Taking it to them isn't an option.

 

Cant think of one unless you bought a new one or grab a new key off of a surface pro from best buy :o

 

No such thing as a Best Buy in the UK. :p  I got it online through eBuyer.  Will give them a call later and have a shout. :p

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Windows 8 machines don't have stickers with product keys like previous Windows, only the logo. Keys are embedded in the UEFI.

I already know that. Which is why i used an app to view it when im on the machine 

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Windows 8 machines don't have stickers with product keys like previous Windows, only the logo. Keys are embedded in the UEFI.

 

Correct.

 

So if he does a full system restore, it might re-activate.

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It's a tablet... Windows 8.1 was pre-installed.  No media center keys or anything used.

Sorry, I missed that. :) I know most of the Pro + MC keys they gave away got blocked so they're essentially one-use only. :/

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It's a tablet... Windows 8.1 was pre-installed.  No media center keys or anything used.

 

 

Yeah, still the OEM installation. Clearly, they did something to it during the repair... You'd think they'd check stuff like this.

 

Nearest Toshiba support centre is over 100 miles from me. Taking it to them isn't an option.

 

 

No such thing as a Best Buy in the UK. :p  I got it online through eBuyer.  Will give them a call later and have a shout. :p

 

a system restore probably won't help if the key is blocked, which is odd since Toshiba, as an OEM, uses a MAK and therefor that key can't be blocked or else all the devices using that same OEM key would be blocked :laugh: wont hurt doing that restore, nonetheless.

 

again, i would contact Toshiba. :/

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It's a real puzzler what's caused it. When it came back, the device had been wiped so after putting my wives account back on it, I copied the backup of her old user folder (NOT the system ones, just her favourites and documents) back. I don't see how that could any activation issues as it's something I've done dozens of times...

 

Could the repair have triggered it?  The USB port was broken, and I can see from marks on the case that they opened it, so I'm guessing they replaced something inside...

 

I'll see what eBuyer say, as they're the retailer.  If I get no joy from them (preferably a replacement tab as this one is no longer fit for purpose!), I'll call Tosh.  I'll try the restore first though.

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Well, restoring the OS didn't work, and Toshiba have a wonderful phone system that, after buggering you about for 10 minutes, promptly disconnects you if there are no available support people... So you have to go through the <redacted> menu's -again-.

 

Six bloody times I tried.. an hour wasted.

 

So I'm sending the bloody thing back to eBuyer and they can sort it out!  Thanks anyway guys. :(

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  • 3 weeks later...

Finally got this sorted. After sending it back to eBuyer -again-, and them sitting on it for 10 days without even bothering to look at it (and lying to me twice about that), they finally decided it was faulty again.  I made them refund me and went elsewhere for a replacement.

 

Buyers beware. eBuyers returns system is garbage!

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Finally got this sorted. After sending it back to eBuyer -again-, and them sitting on it for 10 days without even bothering to look at it (and lying to me twice about that), they finally decided it was faulty again.  I made them refund me and went elsewhere for a replacement.

 

Buyers beware. eBuyers returns system is garbage!

 

 

just so you know, had the same problem with the exact same tablet.  I had to return it for a customer. The toshiba repair centre loaded the wrong image of windows after  replacing the board & then claimed it wasn't under warranty because it was a software problem and that is was also my fault for not creating a system image.  The customer didn't keep the product key (random piece of paper in a box, it probably just got lost).Sent back three times, went on for 2 months and eventually they fixed it correctly but I have to say it's one of the worst services I've come across ....

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  • 1 month later...

Im sorry but activating it yourself would have been a lot easier and technically you wouldn't have done anything wrong because you would have activated it with the same OEM key that Toshiba uses for all their products worldwide for all their costumers.

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