Win 10 Activation After System Recovery

[Justin Cornell]

Hi, all I recently purchased a new laptop about a month ago and recently had started experiencing problems with Win 10.
Everything I found online indicated that a clean install of Win 10 home was the only real solution to the issue. Now I have done that, but without having linked my Microsoft account to my PC first.
Any thoughts on how I would be able to reactivate my account? I'm receiving error code 0xc004f012. I have used the troubleshooter Win 10 provides, but it only provides me with the option to use my
account that is linked to the device to reactivate.

 

[Multipack]

Call Microsoft support and explain the problem. You may get some luck, as your board's firmware may be linked.

 

[Justin Cornell]

Yeah, I tried no such luck (although they tried everything to fix it from their end, I think that because I did the same things she did from remote access ). I was directed to the manufacturer after Microsoft finished, but was just told to contact Microsoft again. I thought I might try a factory reset, but I'm skeptical that would improve my situation as I think Windows is just not recognizing this laptop is the same system associated with the product key.

 

[Multipack]

I cant find your exact error code, but I found this (one different digit) for 0xc004C012..

If the activation server is temporarily unavailable, your copy of Windows will automatically be activated when the service comes back online.

Are you using the laptop now? Meaning, does it have internet access? Am assuming it does.

What does it say under Settings>Update & Security>Recovery?

Also, how exactly did you reinstall Windows? With a USB? Did you delete manufacturers recovery partitions?

 

[Justin Cornell]

Yes, I'm using it at the moment. Under recovery its the options to Reset the PC, Advanced Startup, and more recovery options. The reinstall that I did was through the first option. I kept my files, but removed the apps and settings. I don't believe it removed the manufacturers recovery partitions (at least none of the removed apps indicate that) so unless it was somewhere in the removed settings I dont think so.

 

[Multipack]

That shouldnt have removed your product key. Who is the laptop manufacturer? Do they have an option to reset PC in their software? I.E Dell Support Tool etc.

Also, what does it say on the activation menu?

 

[USAFRet]

A fresh install in the same system should NOT unactivate the OS license.
Now...it may temporarily be unable to contact the activation server farm (xmas overload?), but there should be no problem once it does.

 

[Justin Cornell]

Multipack, the manufacturer is MSI and yes there is an option to reset the PC to their factory settings in the software they included.

That is what I thought as well, USAFRet. However the issue has persisted for more than 1 day while leaving the laptop connected to the internet.

 

[USAFRet]

Multipack, the manufacturer is MSI and yes there is an option to reset the PC to their factory settings in the software they included.

That is what I thought as well, USAFRet. However the issue has persisted for more than 1 day while leaving the laptop connected to the internet.

3 weeks ago, when I did a hardware replacement and fresh OS install...it took 4 days, I think.
Just let it go for a bit.

 

[Justin Cornell]

Alright, I'm a little worried as its not displaying any numbers under the settings>activate screen now. Where as before it showed numbers for the product key(still invalid, but at least something) MSI did not provide me with the activation code that they used so it was obscured "ex: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-V845". Would you guys suggest doing a reset to MSI factory defaults in a few days if nothing happens?

 

[Justin Cornell]

Also, the software from MSI (MSI Help Desk) shows nothing under system info for a product key.

------------------System Information------------------


Product Name: GE72 6QD
OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Windows Product Key:
HDI Build: ZS7-1795TM4-CSA 3.TC7.A25.18.0.1
BIOS Version: E1795IMS.114
BIOS Release Date: 2016/04/29
EC Version: 1795EMS1.1060307201610:45:33
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700HQ CPU @ 2.60GHz
Memory: 16 GB @ 1066 MHz
- 8192 MB, DDR4-2133, Samsung M471A1K43BB0-CPB
- 8192 MB, DDR4-2133, Samsung M471A1K43BB0-CPB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M, 2048 MB
Graphics: Intel(R) HD Graphics 530, 1024 MB
VBIOS Version: 82.07.94.00.1c,2097152
Drive: HDD, HGST HTS721010A9E630, 931.51 GB
Network: Killer E2400 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
Network: Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165
Network: Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)

 

[USAFRet]

Alright, I'm a little worried as its not displaying any numbers under the settings>activate screen now. Where as before it showed numbers for the product key(still invalid, but at least something) MSI did not provide me with the activation code that they used so it was obscured "ex: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-V845". Would you guys suggest doing a reset to MSI factory defaults in a few days if nothing happens?

It's not showing any number, because it has not yet talked to home base.

The system was initially activated.
You did a clean install, on the same hardware.
It will reactivate itself.

 

[Multipack]

Yeah leave it a little while to see if it catches up, and if not then try an MSI reset. If that fails, get in touch with MSI. Am sure it'll all sort itself out eventually, try not to worry too much. They will get it fixed for you. Keep us updated.

 

[Justin Cornell]

Thanks for the help guys I appreciate it.