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Question

Need to activate Windows before you can personalize your PC?

by May 5, 2014 11:32AM PDT

Hey guys, I just bought a new PC from Futureshop, the company is CyberpowerPC. Everything seems good but I have a main question, which is on topic, and a secondary question which is kinda off topic. (WINDOWS 8.1)

Main question: When i try to personalize my PC, it says that windows must be activated in order for this to work. For all the other forums i checked, their Windows 8.1 isn't working because they have a torrented version; Mine is new from a seller, and therefore it should work, shouldn't it? If someone out there in the galaxy knows why it's not working, I would really appreciate if you could tell me!

Secondary Question: Anyone know a good headset that will last atleast a year that's under $25? thanks! Grin

Discussion is locked

8 Posts
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Answer
It should
by May 5, 2014 11:46AM PDT

It should be a volume reseller version of Windows that self-activates. So, something seems a bit suspicious here and I would contact the seller about it. You can also call Microsoft's activation call center and explain that this is a brand name OEM system and it's asking you to activate the copy of Windows. I'm assuming the activation fails if you attempt it and that's why you're posting here.

Just be sure to be meticulous in your documentation in every step you take to get this resolved. Hopefully it will be quick and painless, but all too often this is the prelude to a long and arduous journey that doesn't have a happy ending. So keep very detailed records in case it becomes necessary to take legal action.

Of course if you're still within any kind of no questions asked return period, I'd probably try that first. Either exchange it for another like-unit or just get your money back.

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Is this still true?
by James Denison May 7, 2014 3:05AM PDT

Recently Microsoft changed how they do OEM software and licensing.

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When it comes to Microsoft's OEM and other licenses
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 7, 2014 3:11AM PDT

I'd rather be asked to take a red or blue pill. Microsoft has whipsawed over the years and you can't be sure as you may have some CD/DVD from one year and the next it's OK.

Microsoft will make a liars of us all.
Bob

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I knew that name rang a bell
by James Denison May 7, 2014 11:36AM PDT
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Good info
by Jimmy Greystone May 7, 2014 12:29PM PDT

Good info. Not that I've ever been the slightest bit tempted to buy a system from this company or iBuyPower, which is also mentioned in that thread, but now I have ample reason to actively advise against them.

So to our OP, if you're still able to return the system within a no questions asked refund type period, sounds like you'd be well advised to do so sooner rather than later. Get your money back or store credit, whatever, just buy something from a reputable company... Which seems to be an ever shrinking club these days. Apple routinely violates the law, bullies suppliers and makes it next to impossible to actually fix/upgrade your own computer. HP has a habit of walking out on warranties. ASUS is a pretty deeply racist company that thumbs its nose at anti-discrimination laws even 50 years after the Civil Rights Act was passed in the US. If there's a group like the KKK, only for Asians, and that's something you want to support, you can buy ASUS. Acer has basically been synonymous with cheap crap for decades and I've witnessed first hand some of the stunts they pull with regards to warranty repairs, which are only marginally better than HP walking out on theirs. Not exactly an ethical or legal issue, but Lenovo completely lost any respect I had for them when they hired Ashton Kutcher (or however you spell it) and tried to play up how he's an engineering school dropout as some kind of justification. I'm probably forgetting a few others, but you're basically left with Dell and Toshiba. Not exactly exciting choices, but at least you can be reasonably certain your money won't go to some racist or otherwise corrupt organization.

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It should be
by Jimmy Greystone May 7, 2014 10:03AM PDT

It should be for volume OEM versions of Windows, not so much for the individual OEM copies, which have always needed to be activated like a retail copy since activation became a requirement in XP. I've seen CyberPowerPC in places like Best Buy down south of our Cannuckian OP, so I'm working off the reasonable assumption that it's the off-brand of some major OEM or even a new upstart company.

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Answer
Yes the reseller typically
by May 7, 2014 3:13AM PDT

activate windows in the factory now. The Key is also imbedded in BIOS now. MS has changed their OEM licensing a bit they have a builder license and and personal use license. As far as the headset look on at the sites buy.com, newegg, Tiger Direct and Amazon. I would look at prices and read the reviews.
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Answer
Windows Activation
by May 9, 2014 12:39PM PDT

To see if you are activated, go to the "Computer" icon and right click on the icon. See properties. If the right screen pulls up, it will tell you if the copy of windows is activated or needs activating. If it does require activation, you can do it right from that screen.

The very last listing is the activation listing. Did you fill in all of your personal information like name and address? If you didn't go through the original owner registration, this might also lead to problems with activation.

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