Strange Issue That Occurs Every 2 Weeks On Windows 10 PC

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  1. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #41

    Word Man said:
    If it's a motherboard manufactured for Windows/8/8.1 I don't believe it's going to have a "sticker" per se. The "sticker" will be an electronic key embedded in the BIOS chip. That's why I suggested, if you otherwise got no satisfaction from Dell or Microsoft, you try installing Win 8/8.1 to see if that will activate based on the BIOS on the motherboard. If that would work, then you just go through the Win 10 free upgrade again.

    If the technician left that USB key there for a reason other than just walking away from it like a toddler, it could be indication the motherboard is coded in the BIOS with a Win 8 license/product key and all you have to do is back up your data and have 3rd party program install files and license keys in hand to restore after clean installing Win 8, upgrading to Win 8.1, and then upgrading to Win 10.


    I dont have any data to back up since I dont have much on this PC To begin with..so basically what would I have to do..boot up the PC with the little USB stick that came with the motherboard? Would this install Windows 8.1 back on my PC? Then I would upgrade to windows 10, then I could do a clean install of windows 10
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  2. Posts : 1,579
    Windows 10 Pro
       #42

    Lakerfanalways said:
    I dont have any data to back up since I dont have much on this PC To begin with..so basically what would I have to do..boot up the PC with the little USB stick that came with the motherboard? Would this install Windows 8.1 back on my PC? Then I would upgrade to windows 10, then I could do a clean install of windows 10
    That's the idea. I can't tell from the description and guarantee that the particular USB he left has what you need on it, but I would hope for your sake he left the key so you can install Win 8.

    Another place you might investigate is Philip Yip's website: http://dellwindowsreinstallationguid...e-of-contents/ He's got ALOT of good info specifically on Dell machines and (don't have time to do it for you) you may find a gem that helps you if you drill down into his table of contents and read carefully. I know he kept me straight and focused on getting my new Dell Win 8.1 laptop switched from an HDD to an SSD and in getting that all into a working clean install of Win 10 Home.
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  3. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #43

    Just wanted to give you all an update on the issue with my PC..about an hour ago I received a fedex package containing a motherboard, was pretty surprised since I wasn't expecting it..I contacted Dell and they told me that inside the box is a product key since I had requested that..also a disc for windows 8..I assume the product key is for windows 8..so what would I have to do, do a clean install of windows 8, insert that product key, then upgrade to windows 10 and the product key would be detected through that and activate?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,579
    Windows 10 Pro
       #44

    Lakerfanalways said:
    Just wanted to give you all an update on the issue with my PC..about an hour ago I received a fedex package containing a motherboard, was pretty surprised since I wasn't expecting it..I contacted Dell and they told me that inside the box is a product key since I had requested that..also a disc for windows 8..I assume the product key is for windows 8..so what would I have to do, do a clean install of windows 8, insert that product key, then upgrade to windows 10 and the product key would be detected through that and activate?
    Yeah, sounds like you're in business. I can't be certain - maybe another member can speak up - but I believe that, after you install and confirm activation of Win 8, you'll need to download the (free) 8 to 8.1 "update" from the Windows Store and install that before you can take the Win 10 upgrade.

    How did you like the communication/delivery on their "decision"?
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  5. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #45

    Word Man said:
    Yeah, sounds like you're in business. I can't be certain - maybe another member can speak up - but I believe you'll need to download the 8 to 8.1 "update" from the Windows Store and install that before you can take the Win 10 upgrade.

    How did you like the communication/delivery on their "decision"?


    Well that's the thing they havent even rendered their "Decision" yet, but all of a sudden I heard someone put something at our front door and saw that it was a fedex truck, I hadnt ordered anything but the box was in my name and it said "Dell Desktop A10" on it so I emailed the supervisor who has been assisting me and he said that since I Requested a product key they sent me the motherboard and to just use the product key and send back the motherboard LOL..I will wait on word on exactly what I have to do, I dont mind doing a clean install I am totally fine with that but want to make sure I do it right..windows 8, then do all the windows updates, and then upgrade to windows 10, and then I can do a clean install of windows 10(I like doing clean installs I hate upgrading)
    Also..since this product key and disc were not in the other motherboard that was installed, should I worry that motherboard wasn't "New" and maybe a used one, dont want to go all through this if it wasnt a new(I mean refurb) motherboard
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,579
    Windows 10 Pro
       #46

    Lakerfanalways said:
    Well that's the thing they havent even rendered their "Decision" yet, but all of a sudden I heard someone put something at our front door and saw that it was a fedex truck, I hadnt ordered anything but the box was in my name and it said "Dell Desktop A10" on it so I emailed the supervisor who has been assisting me and he said that since I Requested a product key they sent me the motherboard and to just use the product key and send back the motherboard LOL..I will wait on word on exactly what I have to do, I dont mind doing a clean install I am totally fine with that but want to make sure I do it right..windows 8, then do all the windows updates, and then upgrade to windows 10, and then I can do a clean install of windows 10(I like doing clean installs I hate upgrading)
    Also..since this product key and disc were not in the other motherboard that was installed, should I worry that motherboard wasn't "New" and maybe a used one, dont want to go all through this if it wasnt a new(I mean refurb) motherboard
    LOL - well, at this point Dell probably has me more cornfused on this than you are. I'd be tempted to try swapping out the motherboard myself and using that key (assuming key is NOT embedded already in the motherboard, not sure when Dell made the transition from paper key to electronic key). But if this is warranty work, I would suppose you don't really want to intervene directly and see if Dell instructions via your contact actually get you were you belong on this.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #47

    Word Man said:
    LOL - well, at this point Dell probably has me more cornfused on this than you are. I'd be tempted to try swapping out the motherboard myself and using that key (assuming key is NOT embedded already in the motherboard, not sure when Dell made the transition from paper key to electronic key). But if this is warranty work, I would suppose you don't really want to intervene directly and see if Dell instructions via your contact actually get you were you belong on this.

    Yeah my theory is that this motherboard that was delivered is brand new and NOT refurbished because the other motherboard that came before did not have any product disc included and no product key and this one does..this one also says on the box "Dell Desktop A10" is that A10 the BIOS number? Because the BIOS that came with this motherboard is A07 so its older..I think this motherboard is brand new I have a feeling, am I right? I emailed the person from Dell who has been assisting me and I told him that I am willing to forgo the whole new computer thing if someone can come here and install this new motherboard and also install a new graphics card(Since Im still having issues) preferably the NVIDIA GeForce GT 720 1GB DDR3 that comes standard with all new XPS 8700 systems(and besides, from what I hear AMD graphics cards and Windows 10 have issues so people have told me to go with nvidia) if someone is willing to come here and not just install the hardware but actually sit here and install the operating system(Windows 8 then 10) and make it work then yeah I will be a happy camper
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  8. Posts : 1,579
    Windows 10 Pro
       #48

    That sounds awesome if you can get them to do that. Good luck and let us know how it ends up.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #49

    Word Man said:
    That sounds awesome if you can get them to do that. Good luck and let us know how it ends up.
    Am I right, nvidia is better than AMD? That card I posted above comes with all of the new XPS 8700s that are available now for purchase..and the motherboard box, it says Desktop A10 on it, does that mean its BIOS Version A10? The one I have now is A07 so this one must be new
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,579
    Windows 10 Pro
       #50

    Lakerfanalways said:
    Am I right, nvidia is better than AMD? That card I posted above comes with all of the new XPS 8700s that are available now for purchase..and the motherboard box, it says Desktop A10 on it, does that mean its BIOS Version A10? The one I have now is A07 so this one must be new
    While I can tell you there IS a Dell XPS 8700 BIOS version A10 out there with last update to it 16 Jan 2015, I can only say that lines up well with the A10 listed on the box and it may well be the case. I do see the latest BIOS version under Drivers & updates for XPS 8700 is A11, updated 31 Jul 2015.

    As far as video comparisons NVidia versus AMD, I'm not a gamer or otherwise have a focus on video performance so I would be of little use on that subject.
      My Computer


 

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