Reset repair - now loss of activation

Any ideas chaps. Have just had to do a 'reset' on a windows 10 Home laptop.

Originally, this laptop (owned by a neighbour) was supplied with Windows 7 home. At the opportune time it was updated to windows 10.

Following a problem when the neighbour found it would not start etc - we did a reset (saving his private files). This got him on the road again - however could not change the desktop. Eventually it became apparent that the cause was that the laptop had not activated following repair. Is this normal? and is there a way to get around this problem.

I feel a little annoyed that the official Microsoft reset has caused this problem

Skofab said:

Any ideas chaps. Have just had to do a 'reset' on a windows 10 Home laptop.

Originally, this laptop (owned by a neighbour) was supplied with Windows 7 home. At the opportune time it was updated to windows 10.

Following a problem when the neighbour found it would not start etc - we did a reset (saving his private files). This got him on the road again - however could not change the desktop. Eventually it became apparent that the cause was that the laptop had not activated following repair. Is this normal? and is there a way to get around this problem.

I feel a little annoyed that the official Microsoft reset has caused this problem

First we need to check a couple of things.

Run
slmgr /dlv
from an admin command prompt and post image (no confidential data).

Also, do you still have the W7 home COA key (usually on blue sticker). If so, try entering that key in the activation menu (change product key).

Hi cereberus
thanks for your response - much appreciated. Herewith further developments....

No, did not have the product key/license numbers - but had a brainwave and installed Belarc which provided the product key number.

Imputed this number that received an instant thumbs down.
Obtained new product key - which also got rejected.
I should have noticed in the first place that an error code was showing, this being 0xc0000022.

I have googled this to find an answer, and note all these 'fix this problem' downloads. Obviously there is an unknown cost element to consider. Is this a wise route to follow,OR, is there a simple way (for the likes of me) to do a workaround?
Your thoughts very much appreciated

Skofab

Further progress and information.........
ran sfc /scannow that confirmed there were problems - some of which could not be sorted.

I then ran the Relevant DISM - this failed and reported an error code of 87.

Have I reached the point were I download a windows 10 iso installation file and use my new (unused) product key?

Skofab

I'm curious why you didn't provide the troubleshooting info @cereberus asked for in his reply? slmgr /dlv

That is truly the first step we needed to provide accurate advice.

This is the result we are looking for:

Fair comment navyLCDR - I overlooked this request.

Have tried as directed, but got the following screen info

Windows Scrip Host

error 080070426 On a computer running microsoft non core edition, run 'slui.exe 0x80070426' to display error text.

This I tried, but on pressing enter, the script reverted back to the system32

Please accept that I have just a little knowledge, hence some hesitancy in my response.
Thanks people for your continuing support - much appreciated

Skofab

I am somewhat baffled
I downloaded a iso disk - elected to delete everything and did the install. All went well, and laptop is now doing what it should.
The mystery is that it activated itself.

Anyway, I am grateful for the help received Gents.This was a 'nasty one' - and indicates the merits of not doing your next door neighbour a favour - particularly when we all know he is a self confessed fiddler with his laptop and downloads all sorts of crap that promises him computing paradise !!!!!!

I do hate to be beaten, and always try to the nth degree to resolve an interesting 'problem' - in this case it ended up being a no brainer to do the easy thing.

Thanks again
skofab

Skofab said:

I am somewhat baffled
I downloaded a iso disk - elected to delete everything and did the install. All went well, and laptop is now doing what it should.
The mystery is that it activated itself.

Anyway, I am grateful for the help received Gents.This was a 'nasty one' - and indicates the merits of not doing your next door neighbour a favour - particularly when we all know he is a self confessed fiddler with his laptop and downloads all sorts of crap that promises him computing paradise !!!!!!

I do hate to be beaten, and always try to the nth degree to resolve an interesting 'problem' - in this case it ended up being a no brainer to do the easy thing.

Thanks again
skofab

That's because once a system has had W10 installed and activated on it, you can reinstall as often as you like/need, and it will activate. The activation is tied to the system and resides on the MS servers.

Thanks simrick for that information. I did not have a clue that was how it worked.
I learn something every day



skofab