Desktops & All-In-Ones

[WestMichigan]

I know the product key is embedded in the motherboard and I supposedly do not neet one.  My Windows 8 became corrupted and after unsuccessfully trying to restore from the hidden partition I spent $20 to get the recovery media.  Now when I start Windows it says I need a valid product key.  I can't get one because Acer doesn't send out product keys since they are embedded in the system.  So my question is how do I get Windows to recognize that I don't need a product key?

[Sharanji]

hi...

The OEM version of windows does not prompt for a product key, you may try using  the following steps to activate your copy of Windows 8:

Press the Windows () key + C, or swipe in from the right edge of the screen to open your Charms.

Seect Settings.

Click on Change PC settings.

Select Activate Windows on the left.
NOTE If this option is not available, your version of Windows is already activated.

Follow the instructions on the screen to activate Windows.

If you have a unit from US or Canada, you may also live chat with an Acer technician at : Acer live chat

If you have purchased the computer in any other country, you may contact Acer support here : Acer Global Support

[Acer-Cory]

Hi WestMichigan,

First, you're correct the Windows key is injecting into the motherboard (this only applies to systems that shipped with Windows 8+).

The recovery media should not be asking for a product key, it's just going to install the OS. What would happen then is that if the key is not available in the MB the system will not activate Windows causing you an issue. At what point in the installation is it asking for a key?

Cory

[WestMichigan]

Acer-Cory - I get all the way through installation and then it reboots and starts Windows.  After going through all of the Windows configuration that happens the first time you run Windows 8 it says that my version of Windows needs activated.  When I click on activate it takes me to the activation screen and says my product key isn't valid and I have to enter a valid product key.  If I ignore this and try to run windows everything seems fine until I try to update Windows.  It gets to the end of the update cycle and then says I don't have a valid version of Windows and it undoes all of the changes.  There is an option on the activation screen to purchase a key from Microsoft.  That is $99 for something I already own but can't properly activate.

[Acer-Cory]

Alright, good, so the install process is not asking for a key to continue and that is what I would expect.

Generally, this happens when the product key is being flagged by Microsoft, usually it will giving you a code at the bottom like Ox00000000FC (I just made that up). You should also have the option to register by phone. This is an automated process and not the same as calling Microsoft for support.

Here's an article on activating by phone: http://acer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/29281

Cory

[WestMichigan]

Acer-Cory I tried what you said and on the page where you are able to activate Windows there is no option to contact Microsoft or register by phone or anything like that.  The only option is to purchase a new key.  I didn't see any code on the screen either.  All I get is the product activation key is not valid and it shows XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-YYYYY where YYYYY is the last 5 digits of what it thinks my activation key is.

[WestMichigan]

Someone out there has to know how to get to the product activation key that is stored in the BIOS.  Anyone know how to get it?  If I at least had a key maybe Microsoft could tell me why it can't be activated.

[Acer-Cory]

Sorry WestMichigan, I didn't see your last response.

Can you go to your system screen and provide us with a screenshot? Something's not right, and trying to activate through the modern UI might be different.

Here's what I see my Windows 8 tablet, obviously at the bottom where it says that mines is activated, it should say that yours isn't.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4l1ICJkt55KblIyTmxVWkFuVG8/edit?usp=sharing

Cory

[WestMichigan]

I hope this is what you need