Strange Windows Issues

[MsLeon]

Right, so this goes something as follows...  I've had my current laptop for some years which came with Win 8.1 already installed, yet yesterday 'Windows 8.1 Pro Build 9600' started showing in the bottom-right corner of the desktop, then a few hours ago just above this I had the message 'Windows needs to be activated'.   Now this message doesn't show, but 'Windows 8.1 Pro Build 9600' still does!!  Anyone know what's going on?  Is this a virus or something?  Help!!

[blag-it Admin]

I understand exactly how annoying this can be for you.  No doubt the windows was obviously already activated, but another common thing that can bring this about is a hardware change.  Did you make any recent hardware changes?

Admin

[MsLeon]

Hi Admin, thanks for helping  .  Nope, I haven't made any recent hardware changes but about five months ago the same version was reinstalled together with new hard drive and it activated OK with the new prod-key or code,so not a clue why I'm getting this message on my desktop 

[cybernut]

Hi Admin, thanks for helping  .  Nope, I haven't made any recent hardware changes but about five months ago the same version was reinstalled together with new hard drive and it activated OK with the new prod-key or code,so not a clue why I'm getting this message on my desktop 

This reminds me of a similar prob I went through some years ago.  I couldn't reactivate online or offline, so in the end I went back to the computer shop that had reinstalled the Windows and they were able to activate it for me, for a small charge of course .  I know that's not maybe what you want to hear...

[A.Jenery]

Same!  Because I found out that the repair ppl had not installed an OEM release of Win 8.1 but one of those other types that requires you to reactivate every six months even though they had charged me nearly 100GBP!  I told them to reinstall an OEM release for no extra charge or I'd visit a police station that wasn't too far - and they complied!

[blag-it Admin]

Same!  Because I found out that the repair ppl had not installed an OEM release of Win 8.1 but one of those other types that requires you to reactivate every six months even though they had charged me nearly 100GBP!  I told them to reinstall an OEM release for no extra charge or I'd visit a police station that wasn't too far - and they complied!

This happens a lot, in your case seemingly deliberately.  However in the case of Msleon and for many others it may not be deliberate but purely an oversight on the part of the retailer that you end up with  a volume copy and instead of an OEM one.  Many are not aware that such installations have to be reactivated every six months or so.

Admin

[MsLeon]

Thanks everyone for all your help, but unfortunately the 'Activate Windows' message has now come back and is showing above the watermark.  Anyway, I can't activate via PC settings because I can't use the original product key, at the same time MS has told me (contacted them...) that the store had installed a so-called volume copy not OEM one and that they shouldn't have done this - problem is if I go back there I'm sure they will charge me again, so what to do?

[ATH019]

Same!  Because I found out that the repair ppl had not installed an OEM release of Win 8.1 but one of those other types that requires you to reactivate every six months even though they had charged me nearly 100GBP!  I told them to reinstall an OEM release for no extra charge or I'd visit a police station that wasn't too far - and they complied!

Usually 'those other types' refers to a volume copy of windows which is what a lot of those high-street-electronics retailers come convenience stores are installing onto people's machines which is against MS's agreement -they shouldn't be doing it but get away with it because most of public don't know the difference.  It's supposed to be for their own internal use on demo PC's, laptops, etc not for retail - and @ MsLeon, do what A.Jenery did as they should have installed an OEM windows from the start!

[blag-it Admin]

Same!  Because I found out that the repair ppl had not installed an OEM release of Win 8.1 but one of those other types that requires you to reactivate every six months even though they had charged me nearly 100GBP!  I told them to reinstall an OEM release for no extra charge or I'd visit a police station that wasn't too far - and they complied!

Usually 'those other types' refers to a volume copy of windows which is what a lot of those high-street-electronics retailers come convenience stores are installing onto people's machines which is against MS's agreement -they shouldn't be doing it but get away with it because most of public don't know the difference.  It's supposed to be for their own internal use on demo PC's, laptops, etc not for retail - and @ MsLeon, do what A.Jenery did as they should have installed an OEM windows from the start!

I agree with this!  Well said!  Msleon, go back to the store ideally with the receipt if you've got it still, and insist they install an OEM one at no extra charge.

Admin

[MsLeon]

Same!  Because I found out that the repair ppl had not installed an OEM release of Win 8.1 but one of those other types that requires you to reactivate every six months even though they had charged me nearly 100GBP!  I told them to reinstall an OEM release for no extra charge or I'd visit a police station that wasn't too far - and they complied!

Usually 'those other types' refers to a volume copy of windows which is what a lot of those high-street-electronics retailers come convenience stores are installing onto people's machines which is against MS's agreement -they shouldn't be doing it but get away with it because most of public don't know the difference.  It's supposed to be for their own internal use on demo PC's, laptops, etc not for retail - and @ MsLeon, do what A.Jenery did as they should have installed an OEM windows from the start!

I agree with this!  Well said!  Msleon, go back to the store ideally with the receipt if you've got it still, and insist they install an OEM one at no extra charge.

Admin

Okay I did this!  Wow!  They installed an OEM one free of charge probably because there were a few customers there when I kicked up a fuss.  Anyway the activate windows message and watermark are gone and it ll works fine.  Thanks to admin and everyone else that helped - problem now solved!