Activating Windows issue

Hi folks, I took delivery of a new E7240 today. It comes with Win 8.1 Pro pre-installed and a recovery CD only without any product key for Windows 8.1 Pro.

I am trying to upgrade to Windows 10 but I get a message stating that my current version of Windows is not activated, which is it is not. However, without the product key, how do I?

Any advice?

 

First of all, did you try contacting Dell Support?

 

Yes but they had no idea but said they would call back, which they did not before closing.

 

The Windows 8 key is stored in the BIOS. Can Magic Jellybean Keyfinder read the key?

Did you try to activate Windows 8? Windows 10 will only do an upgrade if there is an eligible and activated version of Windows already installed.

John

 

John, I had a late night (I am in the UK) online chat with a Microsoft Technician who did similar to that of Magic Jellybean Keyfinder and retrieved the product key from bios. However, he checked the product key and stated that it was a known 'blocked' product key and Dell would need to provide a valid product key.

In terms of your last point, yes, the Windows 10 upgrade process failed because of this issue.

For information, if you paste the following into a dos window, it does the same as Magic Jellybean Keyfinder..."wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey".

Jonathan

 

Further update, I just spoke to Dell and the options they wanted to try were (a) to reload Win 8.1 from CD, which I had done last night and (b) replace the motherboard. I suggested option (c) which is a swap out and we are going down that route now.

What a pain in the backside!!

 

You've encountered a rare problem. Now Dell appreciate the situation (it's probably had them equally puzzled) then they will sort it out. I've had a few Latitudes over the years and not needed much support from Dell but their business support does work. Enjoy the computer (once it is fixed).

John