Solved New Mobo, unable to activate using troubleshooter

Mark Phelps · Dec 14, 2023

Mobo on Win11 Pro desktop failed over the weekend, so got a replacement and just finished hooking everything up.
Not surprising, activation fails -- but I used the troubleshooter and when I get into Activation, even though I select the option for changed hardware, it does not offer me the Activate by Phone option.

This PC only uses a local account, not MSN account, so how do I get the number to call MS to get this working?

The product key shown on screen matches the one for the order -- which I did online. The error code is oxc004c003 -- which from what I found, indicates this is an OEM key -- but I was told it was a Retail key. So, am I out of luck here?

PurSpyk!! · Dec 14, 2023

Had a similar issue (also updated motherboard), I even called MS support who did not help at all, gave me some crap about activation servers being offline. Out of frustration I bought a new key (there are many places that are offering decent discounts now)

Odd thing is on a second PC, also with a motherboard replacement, the activation wizard worked, and the computer was reactivated.

There seems to be some inconsistencies as to how the codes are reactivated.

Sir_George · Dec 14, 2023

Mark Phelps said:
Mobo on Win11 Pro desktop failed over the weekend, so got a replacement and just finished hooking everything up.
Not surprising, activation fails -- but I used the troubleshooter and when I get into Activation, even though I select the option for changed hardware, it does not offer me the Activate by Phone option.

This PC only uses a local account, not MSN account, so how do I get the number to call MS to get this working?

The product key shown on screen matches the one for the order -- which I did online. The error code is oxc004c003 -- which from what I found, indicates this is an OEM key -- but I was told it was a Retail key. So, am I out of luck here?

The link below has the activation phone numbers;

Volume License Key Phone Numbers | Microsoft Volume Licensing

Worldwide toll and toll-free telephone numbers for Volume Licensing Key Assisted Support.

www.microsoft.com

Mark Phelps · Dec 14, 2023

Sir_George said:
The link below has the activation phone numbers;

Volume License Key Phone Numbers | Microsoft Volume Licensing

Worldwide toll and toll-free telephone numbers for Volume Licensing Key Assisted Support.

www.microsoft.com

The info on the page says for Volume License Keys -- mine is supposedly a Retail key.

Mark Phelps · Dec 14, 2023

I have contacted the supplier of the Windows License to see if it was OEM or Retail.

wordsworth · Dec 14, 2023

I had this happen a couple of years ago where I replaced a motherboard with the exact same one but it still needed activated. I believe I found a number through going to Settings>Activation, then underneath clicking on Get Help, then at the bottom of the page a Contact Support button and answer a couple of questions. I spoke with someone and went through a bunch of numbers back and forth then Windows was activated.

Mark Phelps · Dec 14, 2023

wordsworth said:
I had this happen a couple of years ago where I replaced a motherboard with the exact same one but it still needed activated. I believe I found a number through going to Settings>Activation, then underneath clicking on Get Help, then at the bottom of the page a Contact Support button and answer a couple of questions. I spoke with someone and went through a bunch of numbers back and forth then Windows was activated.

I'm not being given that option; It wants permission to allow MS to browse through my PC -- and I denied that, as I have LOTS of personal info stored on this machine which is not theirs to see. When I select that, the only option is to sign in with an MSN account -- and this PC does not use that; instead, it has a local account.

Mark Phelps · Dec 14, 2023

UPDATE: I was able to get the US number but when you call it, you don't get a person, you get a machine, and the result was the same as the failing activation troubleshooter. Unable to get a person to discuss the issue with and get a new product key.

wordsworth · Dec 14, 2023

I am not in my MS Account, but in a local

wordsworth · Dec 14, 2023

Click on Get help at the bottom then the screen above should appear.

Edit: I'm sorry there is a step in between as seen here where you click on the Contact Support button:

Mark Phelps · Dec 14, 2023

wordsworth said:
View attachment 81266
Click on Get help at the bottom then the screen above should appear.

I'll have to get back in a while -- in the meantime, Windows Update applied the latest update -- and corrupted the PC so that search and Settings no longer work!! I used the MCT to download an ISO and am running a Repair-Install using that so see if that repairs the PC.

I'll get back to this thread after that is over -- which will be a while.

wordsworth · Dec 14, 2023

When you come back to it I hope what I've shown will help you resolve the activation. We're about to have a holiday get together here so I probably won't be back on again tonight. There is one more step however I did not show about telling MS more about your problem, selecting Windows, and then clicking a Confirm button. Good luck.

Mark Phelps · Dec 14, 2023

Not any real progress -- in fact, things are worse now.

I checked with the license supplier and they confirmed they sold me a Retail key -- so the reactivation should have worked.

I ran "slmgr /dlv" -- and it clearly indicates it is a Retail channel key -- but the activation error message says it is OEM.

I tried re-entering the product key manually, but it says it can not be used for activation again.

I ran showkeyplus and it says it is Windows 10 RTM Professional Retail and EULA:Retail.

The old motherboard died, so there is not an option to reboot with it to deactivate the license.

I really don't want to have to buy ANOTHER Retail Key simply because MS can't make up its mind if this is Retail or OEM.

Mark Phelps · Dec 14, 2023

wordsworth said:
Click on Get help at the bottom then the screen above should appear.

Edit: I'm sorry there is a step in between as seen here where you click on the Contact Support button:View attachment 81270

I don't get this option; instead, it has [Sign in to contact support] and it wants an MSN sign in -- but since this is a local account PC, there is no MSN account associated with it. If I click [I can't sign in], it sends me back to this same screen to sign in.

Mark Phelps · Dec 14, 2023

OK folks -- so here is the scoop ...

I was able to contact MS Support, they checked the product key, and told me it is BLOCKED because it is a used MSDN key!!

I have heard of these over the years, but I thought this was a legitimate key -- evidently not.

I know I'm not supposed to ask this -- but I can't afford $150 for a product key -- so is there anywhere LEGITIMATE where I can get a key for less?

PurSpyk!! · Dec 15, 2023

Mark Phelps said:
OK folks -- so here is the scoop ...

I was able to contact MS Support, they checked the product key, and told me it is BLOCKED because it is a used MSDN key!!

I have heard of these over the years, but I thought this was a legitimate key -- evidently not.

I know I'm not supposed to ask this -- but I can't afford $150 for a product key -- so is there anywhere LEGITIMATE where I can get a key for less?

Look at guru3d they have a link on their main page where you can get legit keys for really cheap