Product Key blocked

simplycatt · Mar 8, 2015

Have a windows 8 Lenovo Thinkpad twist, the hard drive crashed and I put a new one, now the product key is blocked, Microsoft says not their problem and Lenovo states the same. Is there a responsible party or am I just screwed, the laptop is not under warranty any longer.

FALC0N · Mar 8, 2015

Ok. Describe the reinstall precess for us what exactly did you do? Use as much detail as possible all the way up to the blocked message.

I'm assuming windows 8 was preinstalled on this system?

simplycatt · Mar 8, 2015

My hard drive crashed when I tried to refresh, I installed a new hard-drive after testing the old one that the computer failed on all testing, I used the Lenovo recovery disks because when I bought the computer it was pre-installed and I have no windows 8 disk. I got the computer up and running great, loads and everything, runs quick, however the key was blocked when I tried to download Microsoft updates, I called Microsoft and they told me it was a one use key and when I changed the hard-drive it blocked the key and that I need to contact Lenovo to get issued another key. Funny thing, I call Lenovo, they told me its Microsoft's product and its up to them to unblock my key. I say its like buying a car, if I change the engine, I should still have use of the car. Its still the same "unit" that the key is linked to, I shouldn't have to put out any more money for a key that should be useable. Or should I? That is my question, who is responsible Microsoft or Lenovo or is it my problem?

FALC0N · Mar 8, 2015

You said the key was blocked. Tell me exactly when the message appeared and exactly what it said, word for word.

FALC0N · Mar 8, 2015

Where did the restore disk come from?

simplycatt · Mar 10, 2015

The restore disk is from Lenovo, the message came when it loaded on windows that I had to buy a new key because the key I was using was blocked, when I talked to Microsoft they said its a one time use key, however, its the same unit just a hardware change, which it says on Microsoft site could cause a key to become blocked, but how do I get it unblocked? Or can I? Has anyone else had this happen? Microsoft and Lenovo are playing the blame game to each other. Is either one of the companies responsible to either unblock my key or provide another since I bought the unit with the key, and now its blocked. What gets me is its the same unit, same mother board, same components, just a hard drive change. Windows runs great, only on a blocked key.

simplycatt · Mar 10, 2015

Basically they are telling me in a round about way is that I have to buy a new key. I don't think that is right.

FALC0N · Mar 10, 2015

I would try using regular windows 8 disk, on the outside chance we are looking at some sort of artifact with the Lenovo restore image.

McHenryB · Mar 10, 2015

As to who's responsible, it is Lenovo. It is quite clear in the Microsoft OEM licence that any support has to come from the manufacturer of the computer. That's why OEM versions are so much cheaper.

FALC0N · Mar 10, 2015

That's not exactly true McHenryB. Even with an OEM license, Microsoft still maintains control of product activation. The way issue is being presented, it sure sounds like an activation issue to me.

McHenryB · Mar 10, 2015

The responsibilty for any problems activating a pre-installed version of Windows still lies with the manufactuer, not Microsoft. This is particularly the case if a key is blocked.

blurryy · Mar 10, 2015

To remove the current product key, to be able to be used on another PC.

Try this:
Press Windows key + X
Click Command Prompt (Admin)
At the command prompt, type: slmgr.vbs -upk

Hit Enter, this will uninstall the product key from the computer and set it back to trial mode, you are now free to use it on another computer.

McHenryB · Mar 10, 2015

blurryy :

This is a pre-installed OEM version. You can't use it on another computer, even if that is what the OP wanted to do (which they don't).

FALC0N · Mar 10, 2015

McHenryB :

Again, Microsoft controls activation, not the OEM. But I suppose it would vary depending upon the problem.

FALC0N · Mar 10, 2015

Simplycatt, do you know your product key. Don't post it or anything like that, but do you know what it is? Could you enter it manually if you had to?

FALC0N · Mar 10, 2015

I have theory on what's happening. I think your restore image didn't grab your key from the bios. Instead, it installed using a generic install key, which reports as blocked.

This would explain everything. Including the Microsoft-Lenovo finger pointing.

McHenryB · Mar 10, 2015

If that is the case, as this was done with Lenovo restore disks, it firmly points the finger at them.

You are correct that Microsoft controls the activation process. But that doesn't make them responsible if a key fails the process any more than an MOT testing station (UK example, which may not mean much to the rest of the world) is responsible if your car fails to pass their tests.

They do the testing, to check that your car can legally be driven on the public highway, but it's back to your garage if your car doesn't pass the tests. The only circumstance that you could hold the testing station (Microsoft in this case) responsible would be if you had good reason to suppose that there was an error in the testing procedure.

FALC0N · Mar 10, 2015

Well, you are right that a few activation issues Microsoft would kick back to the OEM. The generic install key would be an example.

I'm sure MS had the OP run a diagnostic and figured out very quickly that the key wasn't a valid activation key. So they would refer him to the OEM to get a valid key.

The OEM hears activation issue, refers him right back to Microsoft. They are assuming the proper key is in place and MS just needs to take care of the activation part. Thus, the finger pointing.

I really think this might be it, but we need to test it.

Product Key blocked

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