Invalid Product Key After Scam

[DonnieR6972]

I own and operate a Computer Repair shop. A customer brought in an HP 2000 Notebook after she had a scam attempted on her.  When she refused to provide personal financial information, the scammer, who was remoted in, put a Windows Startup password on it.  I reloaded the laptop using the recovery partition.  The Windows 8 OS reported that the product key was invavlid. It continued to do so even after I upgraded to Windows 8.1.  I am assuming that the scammer had something to do with this.  I know her key was good, as this is the second time reloading her machine due to scammers, (she is very old and vulnerable), and it worked the last time. 

What I need, very simply, is her Product Key for this machine.  She can't find anything that shows it at home.  

Any help you can be would be GREATLY appreciated as this is my last option, (HP doesn't appear to have a way to just call them, and the support chat only works if you are still under warranty).

[Resolv_S]

Hi@DonnieR6972,

Thanks for reaching out to HP Support Forums. Best platform for all sorts of solutions, tips and tweaks to your questions/issues.

To have the best experience on HP forum, visit our HP Forums Guide to know more.

OS needs activation/product key after reinstallation. Is that right?

Thank you for sharing the issue details. I would like to help you.

This can be solved by doing the recovery from the recovery media.

To help you get one online, I need the model name of the PC.

You may also contact HP Phone support using the link below and order over the phone.

http://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp

Hope this helps. Let me know for more.

Happy posting.

Resolv_S

Glad to help you. I work for HP

Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos Thumbs Up" to say “Thanks” for helping!

[mdklassen]

> the scammer  ... put a Windows Startup password on it. 

Probably using the 'SYSKEY.EXE' utility.

After restoring your customer's laptop, you should delete this file (or rename it).

> I reloaded the laptop using the recovery partition. 

Since it is an HP recovery partition, loading onto a HP computer, it should NOT have needed a product-key.

> The Windows 8 OS reported that the product key was invalid.  It continued to do so even after I upgraded to Windows 8.1.  

Exactly what was the error-message?

Did the scammer extract the product-key from your client's computer, and abuse it on many computers,

such that Microsoft "blocked" the key?

Is there a Microsoft "product-key" decal on the bottom of the laptop?

Is it legible?   Watch out for "oh" versus "queue" versus "gee".

Have you entered that product-key?  Did it work?

[DonnieR6972]

Thank you.  Model is: HP 2000-2c17CL

The installation WAS from the recovery partition on the hard drive that came new wih this laptop. That's what's making me scratch my head here...unless the scammer knows how to alter the key somehow.  It was invalid after I reinstalled 8 with the recovery partition, and after I upgraded to 8.1.  Currently, the key is the placeholder key. I just need the Product Key for this machine.

[mdklassen · Accepted solution]

See:  http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-2000-Notebook-PC-series/5330596/model/5363224

Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB (1)

USB-Windows 8 64-bit Recovery Kit

Version:N/A

Aug 30, 2013

System Recovery Kit for Consumer Notebook

Order Media

[DonnieR6972]

Here is the error code:  Error code: 0xC004C003  Upon reading the error info, it does say that the activation code has been blocked.  This was the second time I reloaded this laptop in a fairly short period of time...would that do it?  It's VERY possible the scammer did extract and abuse the key. Do I have an option that won't cost this little ol' lady money?  The poor thing is already paying a second time to have me fix her computer over these scammers...

[mdklassen]

Reloading the software onto the same hardware should NOT cause the product-key to be "blacklisted".

Found via a Google-search:

Attempt to validate by going to http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/validate  and follow the links provided to repair windows.

But, if it really is "black-listed" by Microsoft, any "unblocking" would re-enable its unauthorized usage by the scammer.

So, it's probable that the only way out is to purchase a license to use Windows 10.

Are you a "Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher" ? 

If so, you can "refurbish" (to their standards) computer(s), and purchase license(s) for Windows 10, and install it on the refurbished computer(s).

Can you apply to get authorized?

[DonnieR6972]

I only refurbish to my standards which have to be much higher.  😉  I have a free 7 license, so I'll likely load that up. Thanks anyways!