Notebooks & Netbooks

[robinp]

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Acer-Tommy wrote:

The product key is hidden in the BIOS and is not retrievable. 

Use the Recovery articles above to recover the system to the factory load.

Systems that we ship with Windows 8 will not ask you for the product key with the factory load.

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Above quoted by you in a separate post.

Acer-Tommy, my nearly new Acer Aspire V5-571P-6499 with touchscreen & Windows 8 is continually asking me to activate the product key!

What is the Product Key that I have extracted from the BIOS by downloading a vbs script, & whose last set of digits coincides with the figures shown on the PC Settings-Activation window. However, this product key will not activate, but is blocked by the activation server. (Error no. 0xC004C003). I have read on this site that a recovery disk did not work to solve an activation problem. I don't want to go back to factory settings again unless I definitely have to, I did once before on the phone with an Acer technician for another problem, (& that apparently hasn't solved my activation problem.) Do I necessarily have to activate if everything else is working ok? Will I need this activation for possible something else in the future?

[padgett]

If you have the proper key then try this: open a DOS box or use RUN to enter slui.exe 4 (to activate by phone or slui.exe 3 (to enter the code manually).

Follow the instructions.

[robinp]

Thanks for answering Padgett but I don't think you read my post very well. I have tried to activate with the product key I extracted from the BIOS, both by phone (3 times) & on the PC Settings-Activation window, (5 times). It is being blocked for some reason or other.

[Vince53]

Robin, I'm sorry that you're having this problem. I THINK that it is a software problem--you either have, or you're downloading, something that is messing you up. Since your machine is almost new, going back to the factory settings won't be that big of a deal. Assuming that works, go to Control Panel, Windows Defender and immediately update it. Then go online and download the free Malware Bytes program. Malware Bytes is not an anti-virus and will not shut down Windows Defender.

Then download the free Win Patrol program. Use its Start Up tab to see what is starting up when you turn on your computer. Disable anything you don't want. After a few weeks, if everything is fine, you can go back and Delete those programs. Do not interfere with any programs from Microsoft or Acer.

[robinp]

Thanks for that advice Vince53, I will download those sites you've recommended. In regards to my ongoing activation problem, I received recovery cd's from MS through Acer yesterday. Although you say it shouldn't be too much of a problem going back to factory setting, it was a big hassle having to re-download all the apps again after I did it once before. I had over a 100 favourite sites/apps. As you know you go right back to just the few apps on the 'Start' screen. I'm now wondering if I really need to activate at all! I don't know what the consequences will be. I've been using this notebook since January & the only problem has been the PC Settings window opening on its own now & again.  

[padgett]

Had a chance to look and found this:

0xC004C003

The activation server determined the specified product key is in use.

This means the Microsoft server will not allow the key to be used (again). Only Microsoft can reset that.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931276

Did you call 1-888-725-1047 (US) ?

[robinp]

Padgett, I think that error message it for Windows 7 & Vista. For Windows 8 it's: Error Code 0xC004003. The activation server determined that the specified product key has been blocked!

[megsat14]

I am getting the same code and error message.

acer repaired by laptop, under warranty, and since it's return in November I have been unable to use it.

Microsoft says call Acer.

Acer says it is a Microsoft issue

I have a brick!

No one at Acer has been helpful.

Poor Poor Poor

[finlux]

Hi megsat14

Have you tried reinstalling Windows from the recovery partition (or recovery media)? This may well activate your product key. If it doesn't, Microsoft may well have put a block on the key - a phone call to them would sort it.

[robinp]

I had to send my notebook back to Acer Support. They fixed it in a couple of days. I've never had the problem since.