HP-2000: did a Win8 factory Reset, and now product key is blocked, Windows won't activate

[paul1149]

I just did a factory reset using the HP Recovery Manager (which takes you to the Windows Recovery Environment, from where you do a Reset). Then I noticed the Windows version info on the desktop, and checking Control Panel / System verified that Windows is not activated. Details claimed that the product key has been blocked.

I then used a utility to read the product key from the motherboard. It matched the partial key windows reported, but I put it in in its entirety as a new key and ran activation, but again it failed, for the same reason.

The utility also listed an "original" product key, whatever that is, but that too failed, again for the same reason.

I tried updating the BIOS, thinking that might be the problem, but it did nothing.

I also spent time on the phone with MS, but after verifying the key is blocked, they said this is an HP problem.

Currently I'm stuck with a unit that will not activate Win8. Very strange. Evidently I'm not the only one this has happened to. There must be a solution, right?

Please help. Thank you.

BTW, the windows error code is 0xC004C003

[IT_WinSec]

Hi @paul1149

Thank you for posting in the HP Support forum.

Check this official HP article about Windows activation issues > http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03486254

Check all the options in the article and also try to active Windows using the Microsoft phone activation system (if you didn't try that already). If nothing helps, contact HP Support for assistance (chat, email/ticket and phone options may be available) :

> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/support.html

> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html

[paul1149]

Thank you. I will try to contact Support.

[paul1149]

Really feel let down by HP. I spoke to phone support, and from what I could understand behind the accent, my choices are to bring the machine in to a local store and pay $200-300, or buy another machine.

Here I have a perfectly good motherboard, but for some reason its product key is not accepted. And apparently there is no remedy, so the machine will be trashed.

[IT_WinSec]

Hi @paul1149

You are welcome. Thank you for your update. I am sorry for the issues you have experienced.

I cannot comment since I am not familiar with the details, I don't know if any hardware changes was made and I don't work for HP. But if you never made any hardware change and if everything else is working fine I do understand you. Believe me, I do not work now for HP (HP Inc.) and I have experience within IT for many years and I have worked for many companies - I can assisure you HP produces one of the best (if not the best) devices in the world.

I believe and hope this will eventually be sorted out. I will ask internally HP  to double check and review your case. I can't promise but you may be contacted here in private in the following days.

[paul1149]

Thanks. I appreciate your concern very much. By and large, I think HP does do a good job.

BW.