Solved New Mobo, unable to activate using troubleshooter

antspants · Dec 15, 2023

PurSpyk!! said:
Does this site have a discount code for keys?

I posted in the wrong thread, sorry, Mark was asking about keys in another thread re his Motherboard and activation. But I think they’re selling it for around $30, it’s verified through @z3r010 and I believe you can get a $10 discount with your first purchase at Stack.

z3r010 · Dec 15, 2023

antspants said:
Isn’t it nicer to support this forum?

We actually don't bother taking the commission, it's so little it's not worth setting payment and tax details up, I only post the stuff as I have an account and it's really cheap.

antspants · Dec 15, 2023

z3r010 said:
We actually don't bother taking the commission, it's so little it's not worth setting payment and tax details up, I only post the stuff as I have an account and it's really cheap.

Ahh that’s a shame, good of you non the less. Thanks for letting me know.

SIW2 · Dec 15, 2023

PurSpyk!! said:
Home page, scroll down a bit

Ah yes $13 it says or $15 for Pro. I have seen it for less.

antspants · Dec 15, 2023

“Keys are purchased from low resource countries and sold internationally.” Hmmmm… I suppose they possibly all do that.
Very mixed reviews around the internet regarding cdkeyoffer keys.

wordsworth · 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?

Major bummer. Although tempted in the past, I've never bought other than retail keys though I much dislike adding in particular to MS's bottom line. Perhaps the other posts in this thread have helped you obtain a key.

wordsworth · Dec 15, 2023

antspants said:
“Keys are purchased from low resource countries and sold internationally.” Hmmmm… I suppose they possibly all do that.
Very mixed reviews around the internet regarding cdkeyoffer keys.

And with my luck I'd end up among those writing the worse of the reviews.

Sir_George · Dec 15, 2023

PurSpyk!! said:
Does this site have a discount code for keys?

The answer is not directly, but there are posts in the forum that provide sites that do have discount pricing.
The link below sells the Windows 11 Pro key for $24.97 and I believe they are currently selling at a reduced price, perhaps due to the Holidays.

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro Deal — Lifetime License

<p>Is your computer's OS up to date? Enhance productivity and security with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro deal, courtesy of a Microsoft-verified partner.</p>

www.stacksocial.com

Mark Phelps · Dec 15, 2023

Sir_George said:
The answer is not directly, but there are posts in the forum that provide sites that do have discount pricing.
The link below sells the Windows 11 Pro key for $24.97 and I believe they are currently selling at a reduced price, perhaps due to the Holidays.

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro Deal — Lifetime License

<p>Is your computer's OS up to date? Enhance productivity and security with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro deal, courtesy of a Microsoft-verified partner.</p>

www.stacksocial.com

I went to that site, created an account but was unable to use PayPal to buy a license. When I checked my PayPal account, there were no restrictions on purchases. When I checked the Orders at the site (to see if the order went through anyway) I discovered my previous orders from a similar site -- Stack Comnmerce -- which sold me a license they claimed is Retail but MS tells me is a reused MSDN key -- which is why my PC will not reactivate using the product key I bought. Since I complained bitterly to Stack Commerce, they have apparently blocked me from using PayPal.

So, I would be wary of buying licenses from this site.

Sir_George · Dec 15, 2023

Mark Phelps said:
I went to that site, created an account but was unable to use PayPal to buy a license. When I checked my PayPal account, there were no restrictions on purchases. When I checked the Orders at the site (to see if the order went through anyway) I discovered my previous orders from a similar site -- Stack Comnmerce -- which sold me a license they claimed is Retail but MS tells me is a reused MSDN key -- which is why my PC will not reactivate using the product key I bought. Since I complained bitterly to Stack Commerce, they have apparently blocked me from using PayPal.

So, I would be wary of buying licenses from this site.

It appears, from a web search, that the two companies are associated. Therefore, I would suggest you try to resolve your issue with Stack Commerce or choose another third party to purchase your license. Sorry, my initial suggestion didn't help!

PurSpyk!! · Dec 15, 2023

Mark Phelps said:
I went to that site, created an account but was unable to use PayPal to buy a license. When I checked my PayPal account, there were no restrictions on purchases. When I checked the Orders at the site (to see if the order went through anyway) I discovered my previous orders from a similar site -- Stack Comnmerce -- which sold me a license they claimed is Retail but MS tells me is a reused MSDN key -- which is why my PC will not reactivate using the product key I bought. Since I complained bitterly to Stack Commerce, they have apparently blocked me from using PayPal.

So, I would be wary of buying licenses from this site.

Did you try the site listed on guru3d, never had issues with them

Sir_George · Dec 15, 2023

PurSpyk!! said:
Did you try the site listed on guru3d, never had issues with them

I visited "guru3d" and did not find a purchase link for Windows 11 or any other version. Do you have the specific link for Windows 11 Pro? If so, please provide it to assist the OP.

antspants · Dec 15, 2023

Sir_George said:
I visited "guru3d" and did not find a purchase link for Windows 11 or any other version. Do you have the specific link for Windows 11 Pro? If so, please provide it to assist the OP.

Search for “Windows” on main page. Guru use cdkeyoffer .org. Places like cdkeyoffer & the site webkeys look and feel as sketchy as they could get.

I did a bit of looking around last night, from what I have read all of these sites selling keys for $30 and under (or even over) are hit and miss. “Some” people are just really lucky. But I believe the comments I read from a few MVP’s, MS sell keys for $200, if you find a key for $30, be prepared to possibly be disappointed at some point. These keys have a habit of being pulled.

neves · Dec 15, 2023

antspants said:
I did a bit of looking around last night, from what I have read all of these sites selling keys for $30 and under (or even over) are hit and miss. “Some” people are just really lucky. But I believe the comments I read from a few MVP’s, MS sell keys for $200, if you find a key for $30, be prepared to possibly be disappointed at some point. These keys have a habit of being pulled.

More like the opposite (some people are really unlucky). Most of this keys are corporately recycled (by Microsoft). Some were even made for Windows 8/8.1 but that became irrelevant - after endorsed by Microsoft for Windows 10 and 11.

The ones that do get blocked are "Volume License Keys". Since this are keys - that are actively in use (not recycled) - bought by governmental officials (or gifted) for schools, bought by corporations and such - yet - some leached them and they end-up being resold as if OEM & Retail. The thing is, you can actually check what key you have - with the following Terminal command: Slmgr /dli (apparently, there's still a lot of people who don't know this detail - or learn about it when it's to late).

Popular Key selling sites - usually don't get mixed with this Volume License Scam (to put it like that). Those are usually sold on ebay or freshly made sites - without any prior history of selling keys. The biggest scammer - is actually Microsoft - by being aware of this legit businesses which were created with their support (well, forced by EU laws ^^) - yet still selling keys at 10x the price. Tho, who knows - maybe with Windows 12 they'll revert to the old policy - where each Windows requires its own Key.

antspants · Dec 15, 2023

That’s a fair opinion. But I believe that when these sites sell an OEM key for $30, they are in fact Volume License Keys. They can tell you whatever you want. Some will help you and just dump another key on you, but usually only on first time activation, after that you’re on your own. Mark mentioned being blocked by Stack, I see this comment made by many key buyers. Why would they care? MS doesn’t care, they just randomly pull keys.
Seriously, $15 - $30 for a MS key, not believable to me personally, no matter what they call them. And really, it’s Microsofts prerogative to sell a key for whatever they want, no?

Sir_George · Dec 15, 2023

PurSpyk!! said:
Did you try the site listed on guru3d, never had issues with them

If you are interested in purchasing the key from "guru3d" see the link below;

Christmas limited offer at Cdkeyoffer: up to 91 % Windows 10/11 $13, office $27!

Not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spend on computer software upgrades. This is why Cdkeyoffer. com is outshining Microsoft by slashing the cost of Windows 10 and Microsoft Office, making the whole updating process significantly more affordable.

www.guru3d.com

NavyLCDR · Dec 15, 2023

Sir_George said:
If you are interested in purchasing the key from "guru3d" see the link below;

Christmas limited offer at Cdkeyoffer: up to 91 % Windows 10/11 $13, office $27!

Not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spend on computer software upgrades. This is why Cdkeyoffer. com is outshining Microsoft by slashing the cost of Windows 10 and Microsoft Office, making the whole updating process significantly more affordable.

www.guru3d.com

Why are they charging $6 more for a Windows 11 Pro key vs. Windows 10 Pro and $7 more for Windows 11 Home vs. Windows 10 Home?

Sir_George · Dec 16, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
Why are they charging $6 more for a Windows 11 Pro key vs. Windows 10 Pro and $7 more for Windows 11 Home vs. Windows 10 Home?

The short answer; because everyone else does.

cereberus · Dec 16, 2023

antspants said:
Search for “Windows” on main page. Guru use cdkeyoffer .org. Places like cdkeyoffer & the site webkeys look and feel as sketchy as they could get.

I did a bit of looking around last night, from what I have read all of these sites selling keys for $30 and under (or even over) are hit and miss. “Some” people are just really lucky. But I believe the comments I read from a few MVP’s, MS sell keys for $200, if you find a key for $30, be prepared to possibly be disappointed at some point. These keys have a habit of being pulled.

Yeah key may get pulled but here's the thing.

The key only has to work once to establish a digital licence, so you can reinstall on same pc regardless of whether the key has been pulled.

This reduces the risk of trying such keys.

antspants · Dec 16, 2023

cereberus said:
Yeah key may get pulled but here's the thing.

The key only has to work once to establish a digital licence, so you can reinstall on same pc regardless of whether the key has been pulled.

This reduces the risk of trying such keys.

very true