Took comp. for diagnosis...back, I can't open my files!!!

Oh thanks again for all the important points!

In post #5, Mooly mentions “There may well be a sticker on the PC somewhere (underneath ?) showing the original W7 license”. --- Please double check and see if there is one: it can be used to install your Windows

Yes, I do have that sticker with the W7 product key and the tag #s as well as other numbers so they'll see them.

Also ask about this for version 1803. Windows 10 April 2018 Update now available Download Windows 10

Thanks for reminding me of the latest Version which I had forgotten.

The goal is to get the correct activation back. --- I believe if you let them know you have a Microsoft account it will be helpful.

I told the MS lady who tried to help me with activation last night and suggested a reset which will remove apps, etc., that all I wanted was to get back my Windows, to which she said "The Reset will get you back your Windows." So maybe there's no other way? That's why I'm hoping for a 2nd opinion when I go to the store.

Go to Windows PowerShell (admin), copy and paste slmgr.vbs /dli and see what it reports.
--- I don’t know how helpful the information will be but it will be interesting to see what it reports.
--- In your start page, right click on the Windows icon and left click on Windows PowerShell (admin).

On the Windows PowerShell I didn't see "slmgr.vbs /dli" but I'll try later again. All I got is what my screenshot shows. :)

Adela

Mine looks like this.
Attachment 209052[/QUOTE]

If paste didn't work, you need to type slmgr.vbs /dli into the powershell window and hit enter, should then get a windows script box popup which will tell you what version of Windows you have and if it's retail etc.

I find pasting into Powershell from Firefox often never works for some odd reason.

clam1952 said:

If paste didn't work, you need to type slmgr.vbs /dli into the powershell window and hit enter, should then get a windows script box popup which will tell you what version of Windows you have and if it's retail etc.
I find pasting into Powershell from Firefox often never works for some odd reason.

Hi clam and thank you. Did I have to paste something on it? From where? There was nothing clickable for me to copy/paste on that deep blue screen...Oh I see what you mean, I should type that little phrase! I'll go now and try it. I'm using Google Chrome, but many times Google itself takes over instead...stealing from its own family

Adela said:

Did I have to paste something on it? From where?

Open the PowerShell window again. When you get the > prompt in the powershell window, type the following line...

slmgr.vbs /dli

...then press the Enter key.

Bree said:

Open the PowerShell window again. When you get the > prompt in the powershell window, type the following line...

slmgr.vbs /dli

...then press the Enter key.

Hi and thanks Bree! I did but when the popup appears how do you move it to the upper left corner as MeAndMyComputer's sample shows? Please forgive my ignorance on tech matters....

Adela said:

Hi and thanks Bree! I did but when the popup appears how do you move it to the upper left corner as MeAndMyComputer's sample shows? Please forgive my ignorance on tech matters....

The way my sample shows isn't likely. I moved it together so you could see the command & result together easier. Here is the original result

Ztruker said:

Use oyur mouse pointer and point to the words Windows Script Host. Hold down the left mouse button and move the window wherever you want.

Oh I didn't realize that it dragged only from that line. Thanks very much. Here's the screenshot. :)

MeAndMyComputer said:

You might find this article interesting and you can access the Virtual Agent from here also.
Why can't I activate Windows?
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...s-why-activate

These were interesting to me
“If your PC was repaired or rebuilt, it's possible that a different version of Windows was installed. Or, if a different product key was used for your PC during repair, that key might be blocked if it was used on more PCs than allowed by the Microsoft Software License Terms.”

EDIT: It would be nice if a re-install as has been recommend would work and I would prefer a re-install to be attempted first but the above comment about the possibility of a different product key being used is concerning to me.

When you speak with the Microsoft technician, you might want to show him/her the comment included in that article.

On the 1803 version, it's the latest version I would trust at this time. 1809 has come out but it has been pulled due to issues on some computers. Once your computer is up and running properly it will be a matter of time when 1809 will be released and available for your computer.

I expect the OS is even More Corrupted than the Data you tried to retrieve. If you were in my area I'd be happy to help but I live in south central LoUiSiAna. Again the Dell Inspiron 560S Desktop Computer Series Specs - CNET is 10 year old technology and I doubt if it's worth the cost of replacing the failed Hard Drive, in this case IMHO it's best to just let it go.