Help to active Windows 8 license

[mdklassen]

>  I have also used multiple key finder type softwares

Which programs did you use?

> 2. Installed (OEM, BIOS) Key

The OEM key is the same for all HP computers with the same model-number.

So, if you purchase a replacement "System Recovery Set" from HP, they just pull one off the shelf -- HP does not need to "personalize" the media for your computer.

The BIOS key is unique for each motherboard.

Have you changed any hardware?

Disk-drive? Processor? RAM? CD/DVD drive? Video-card? Network adapter? WiFi adapter?

Too many changes can make it a "non-same" computer, and so the activation will not succeed.

[mdklassen]

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@HotAZ-Jeff wrote:

Any other suggestions would be extremely appreciated!

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An Other Person  on this forum claims that you can install Windows 10 for free, if you have the Windows 8/8.1 product-key from the motherboard.

Free download of Windows 10: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

[HotAZ-Jeff]

mdklassen thank you for passing on the information from the "Other Person" although I am doubtful it will work as the 3-Ea keys (Including the Motherboard/BIOS key) I have attempted to use show up as invalid when attempting to activate within Windows 8.1, although I suppose I may try installing Window10 but am afraid that I will end up with the Activate issue and end up paying for a new version of Windows since I can't seem to get past my existing (WindowsUpdate and Windows Activate) issues.

My HP Ultrabook 13 Splitx2 PC is all stock and has not been modified since purchased in April 2014.

The info I retrieved with various software ("ShowKey", "Belarc", "License Crawler, "OEM key", etc.) has the same resulting keys, as displayed (hidden) below;

ShowKeyPlus - Windows Product Key Information

Product Name: Windows 8.1

Version: 9600. (64-bit OS)

Product ID: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

Installed Key: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx (Same as OEM, below)

Original Key: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

Original Edition: Win 8.1 RTM Core OEM:DM

OEM Key: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx (Same as Installed, above)

OEM Edition: Win 8.1 RTM Core OEM:DM

The one thing I do not understand and am frustrated with, is how a previously active, registered legimately purchased HP PC purchased through BestBuy, after performing a system (Factory) reset, needs to be "Activated" again and then comes up as "Invalid" with the existing keys???

I appreciate all of your suggestions and welcome more!!!

[mdklassen]

>  I suppose I may try installing Window10 but am afraid that I will end up with the Activate issue

> My HP Ultrabook 13 Splitx2 PC is all stock and has not been modified since purchased in April 2014.

Can you find a different disk-drive, either "borrowed", or "previously-owned", i.e., not buying a brand-new disk-drive?

If so, connect it, and install Windows 10 onto it, then your original disk-drive will not be "touched".

When installing, and asked for the 25-character product-key for Windows 10, click "I do not have one".

Windows will finish installing, but in a "test" mode, i.e., usable for a few days.

You can "change product key", and try the various keys that you have on-hand.

If none of them work, remove that "alternate" disk-drive, and reconnect the original disk-drive.

[HotAZ-Jeff]

mdklassen, I have an external 500Gb blank Seagate "Momentus 7200.4" HDD connected through USB.

Thank you again for all of your assistance!!!

I have much appreciation for your expertise, suggestions and advice!!!

Upon attempting Windows 10 install from the downloaded file onto my external drive (connected through USB) I received the error of "Setup has failed to validate the product key".

Any suggestions on how to make Windows 10 work on my HP, would be so extremely appreciated!

[mdklassen]

> Upon attempting Windows 10 install from the downloaded file onto my external drive (connected through USB)

> I received the error of "Setup has failed to validate the product key".

Did you enter a product-key, or did Windows 10 "peek" into the motherboard, to find a product-key?

 From a command-line prompt in Windows 10, enter:

   wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

Does it display a product-key?  DO NOT post that key into this forum.