Won't let me activate Windows after system refresh

[billclipper]

I recently completely refreshed my desktop (Windows 8.1) due to a driver errors, inability to use my USB network adapter and several BSoDs.

Now I'm able to access the internet but for some reason the Windows 8.1 Build 9600 words appeared on my desktop and when I go into system settings and click Activate Windows, system settings minimizes and when I click it again, it displays the tool icon then the menus like I refreshed it.

I am not able to activate windows. It doesn't give me any window to do so.

I am using a built PC. When I first got it, I connected to the internet and Windows was activated now it doesn't do anything.

Before I did my system refresh, while I was getting my BSoDs, I saw that my lock screen picture has been changed and that "Windows 8.1 Build 9600" had appeared on my desktop. I assumed this to be a temporary glitch but now I am thinking Windows somehow deactivated itself (as absurd as it sounds) between one of my restarts caused by the BSoDs.

Now I am thinking about what to do next if I cant get a proper solution from here.

Should I try a system reset (got all my data saved on a external hard drive), contact the person I bought the built PC from, contact Microsoft or maybe ask an IT person to look at my problem first hand.

 

[Lumia925]

Do have the product key?
If you do, try this, press the Windows key and the R key together to bring up the RUN dialogue.
Type "slui 3" without the quotes and press enter.
Type your product key.

 

[billclipper]

Do have the product key?
If you do, try this, press the Windows key and the R key together to bring up the RUN dialogue.
Type "slui 3" without the quotes and press enter.
Type your product key.

I tried the product key I was given and it said this key didn't work.

 

[Mizzat420]

did u use the same install disc? that u used when u first installed windows cause a retail key wont work with a oem version and a oem version wont work with a retail key

 

[Alabalcho]

I tried the product key I was given and it said this key didn't work.

Did you buy your license? If so, call Microsoft to help you with activation. Otherwise, ask somewhere else for help.

 

[billclipper]

did u use the same install disc? that u used when u first installed windows cause a retail key wont work with a oem version and a oem version wont work with a retail key

The PC came with Windows 8.1 installed as well as the disc and code so I don't know but it should have been the same. The first time I connected to the internet with the new PC, Windows was instantly activated.

 

[billclipper]

I tried the product key I was given and it said this key didn't work.

Did you buy your license? If so, call Microsoft to help you with activation. Otherwise, ask somewhere else for help.

My built PC came with Windows 8.1 installed on it so should I call Microsoft?

 

[Alabalcho]

Either Microsoft or your laptop' manufacturer.

 

[Lumia925]

In one of your replies, you wrote it came with Windows 8, and in another, you wrote it came with 8.1
If it came with Windows 8, and you upgraded it to 8.1 from Microsoft store, you wouldn't be able to use your Windows 8 key to activate 8.1. You'll need to install 8 first, activate it, and then upgrade to 8.1;
What did it come with? 8 or 8.1? Are you absolutely sure that you're using the disk that came with this computer and not a disk that maybe came with another of your computers? Has there been a MAJOR hardware change? Like was the motherboard replaced?
Try updating the BIOS. Get a copy of your BIOS from the PC manufacturers website, get the Windows version, it should be a simple EXE file. (IMPORTANT: Follow the instructions very carefully while performing a BIOS update, failing to do so might severely damage the computer and it might require service from manufacturer. Install the version that's for this computer, don't attempt installing a BIOS of another model. Don't power off the computer until the BIOS update completes successfully, even if it seems momentarily that the computer is frozen, this is normal). Try activating again after the BIOS update completes.
EDIT: You wrote in your first post that you're using a "Built PC", could you please clarify?
Do you mean your PC wasn't built by a brand like HP or Dell or Toshiba, and it was assembled locally by some computer store? The disk you installed Windows from, is that an original disk with Microsoft logo on it? Or is it a DVD-R with Windows burned on it? If it's original, do you have the box? There should be a sticker on the box with the key printed on it, do you have this sticker? Did you use this key?

 

[billclipper]

In one of your replies, you wrote it came with Windows 8, and in another, you wrote it came with 8.1
If it came with Windows 8, and you upgraded it to 8.1 from Microsoft store, you wouldn't be able to use your Windows 8 key to activate 8.1. You'll need to install 8 first, activate it, and then upgrade to 8.1;
What did it come with? 8 or 8.1? Are you absolutely sure that you're using the disk that came with this computer and not a disk that maybe came with another of your computers? Has there been a MAJOR hardware change? Like was the motherboard replaced?
Try updating the BIOS. Get a copy of your BIOS from the PC manufacturers website, get the Windows version, it should be a simple EXE file. (IMPORTANT: Follow the instructions very carefully while performing a BIOS update, failing to do so might severely damage the computer and it might require service from manufacturer. Install the version that's for this computer, don't attempt installing a BIOS of another model. Don't power off the computer until the BIOS update completes successfully, even if it seems momentarily that the computer is frozen, this is normal). Try activating again after the BIOS update completes.
EDIT: You wrote in your first post that you're using a "Built PC", could you please clarify?
Do you mean your PC wasn't built by a brand like HP or Dell or Toshiba, and it was assembled locally by some computer store? The disk you installed Windows from, is that an original disk with Microsoft logo on it? Or is it a DVD-R with Windows burned on it? If it's original, do you have the box? There should be a sticker on the box with the key printed on it, do you have this sticker? Did you use this key?

It came with Windows 8.1, my mistake. Built PC is assembles from picked parts by a local computer store. No hardware change, still under warranty. The Disc is original but doesn't come with box. Only the packet.

 

[Lumia925]

Where did you get the key from? Did the computer store just write it down in a piece of paper and give it to you?
Do you have a COA label on the computer's case? COA is certificate of authenticity and is issued by Microsoft to customers of genuine (not pirated) Windows.
If the computer wasn't built by a brand, then the Windows you're using is probably not an OEM version and hence updating the BIOS won't resolve your problem.
You need to make sure that the Windows you're using is actually legally purchased, and the shop didn't stick a pirated copy to reduce building cost and earn more profits from you. If the Windows is genuine, there MUST be a COA label with the serial key printed on it. If it's not on the box, then it should be on the computer's case.

 

[billclipper]

Where did you get the key from? Did the computer store just write it down in a piece of paper and give it to you?
Do you have a COA label on the computer's case? COA is certificate of authenticity and is issued by Microsoft to customers of genuine (not pirated) Windows.
If the computer wasn't built by a brand, then the Windows you're using is probably not an OEM version and hence updating the BIOS won't resolve your problem.
You need to make sure that the Windows you're using is actually legally purchased, and the shop didn't stick a pirated copy to reduce building cost and earn more profits from you. If the Windows is genuine, there MUST be a COA label with the serial key printed on it. If it's not on the box, then it should be on the computer's case.

The packet that I received with the computer (that had the Windows 8.1 disc and key) did contain a COA label (at least one that looks identical to the ones Google Images shows when COA label is searched for Windows 8.1

There is no distinguishable brand on the computer case other than a small LG logo on the Disc tray. I assumed this was because it is a built PC.

 

[Lumia925]

Do you still have that packet? or did you copy the key somewhere manually?
If you copied it, you might have made a mistake while copying.
If you still have the box, the best way to resolve this legally is to call up Microsoft support.
When an activation key doesn't work, we need to take it up to Microsoft - as activations are performed online by Microsoft servers.
We cannot help you with bypassing activation, because it's against this forum's rules to encourage piracy and no one other than Microsoft or your PC assembler can confirm that you have genuinely purchased your key.

 

[billclipper]

Do you still have that packet? or did you copy the key somewhere manually?
If you copied it, you might have made a mistake while copying.
If you still have the box, the best way to resolve this legally is to call up Microsoft support.
When an activation key doesn't work, we need to take it up to Microsoft - as activations are performed online by Microsoft servers.
We cannot help you with bypassing activation, because it's against this forum's rules to encourage piracy and no one other than Microsoft or your PC assembler can confirm that you have genuinely purchased your key.

I still have the packet. I made sure the key was copied correctly but the fact that clicking activate windows in PC settings doesn't give me a activation window (forcing me to use the "slui 3" command) made me think that it was an internal PC problem caused by the BSoDs before I did the system refresh.

(Copied from an update on my main statement) - Before I did my system refresh, while I was getting my BSoDs, I saw that my lock screen picture has been changed and that "Windows 8.1 Build 9600" had appeared on my desktop. I assumed this to be a temporary glitch but now I am thinking Windows somehow deactivated itself between one of my restarts caused by the BSoDs.

Since I have all my valuable data stored on a external Hard drive, should I try a system reset (using the disc) before contacting my seller or Microsoft?

 

[Lumia925]

Sure you can try to reinstall, you have backed up your data and there's nothing to lose.
Worth a shot.

 

[billclipper]

Sure you can try to reinstall, you have backed up your data and there's nothing to lose.
Worth a shot.

You did it. I put the Windows 8.1 disc into my disc tray with the intention of starting the "remove everything and re-install Windows" process and it asked me for the key. I entered it and it said it worked and for some reason instead of coming up with what I expected to be an repair or update menu, it gave me the option of installing Windows 8.1 (which I already had (unactivated)) .So I thought this was a good an opportunity as any and proceeded with it.

Once it was done, it gave me all the usual setup screens and Windows 8.1 looked exactly the same only with one difference - clicking the Activate Windows button actually led to a menu and once I set up my network adapter and connected to the internet, Windows was instantly activated.

So thank you for helping to push my in the direction of what would become the solution to the problem and I thank everyone else who tried to help. I made an account on this site just to ask my question without much hope for a solution (I had my doubts) but it led to my problem being solved. I may have to transfer a heap of data but at least Windows 8.1 is activated for me. This was the first thing I did once I opened the internet (After downloading Google Chrome)

So thanks.