Updates :: Activating Windows After A System Refresh?
Aug 5, 2014
I recently purchased a Acer Desktop PC, well recently was in Feb/March of this year.
I tried to refresh the system. All worked fine until I rebooted the system. After I input my log on password in it a screen comes on saying that windows cannot be activated at this time. Please try later or input the product key.Also I cannot download any updates, I presume because of the activation.
The Pc was purchased New and had windows 8.1 installed with no installation disks or product keys in sight. After much searching I managed to get the product key, manually input it and Nada, Nothing! It would not accept it.
so about a month ago I needed to do a refresh on my Asus Laptop which had Windows 8.1 (64bit). I bought this computer back in September of 2013. It was a simple refresh that saved my files and such. The reason I had to refresh was for some odd unknown reason, League of Legends would not go to the login screen, as it would fail. I tried everything to fix that problem, and nothing worked. So, I did a refresh.
Now, I have Windows 8, and my updates wont install at all. I have tried to do a windows update repair and it doesn't fix all the problems, tried to do a clean boot install. Nothing works as of right now. My computer restarts every 2 days and fails.
"Failed Configuring Windows Updates - Reverting Changes" < something of that sort. Every time. I checked if any of the windows updates have gone through, and almost all of them have not.
I had my notebook for about 7 months and it has worked fine for me. It's an hP winter blue with 4gb of ram. Today I force shut down the laptop, which I've done many times before, but this time it wouldn't reboot properly. So I had to refresh my PC. When it refreshed I noticed that it was EXTREMELY buggy and laggy and slow. Like it take 3-4 minutes to open a program or to close a window. I tried to update to windows 8.1 but it said I had to update my current windows. There's 102 updates but it stays at 0%....
My Dell Inspiron 3520 was going quite slow for unknown reasons so I decided to 'refresh' it using Windows advanced start-up setting. Since that time I have been unable to install Windows updates. Well, I can 'install' them, but they won't 'configure'. Once installed and 'configured' 100% I get this error message advising following reboot : "Failure to configure updates. Reverting changes". The laptop then stays paralysed on that screen.
This only started to happen AFTER I "refreshed" my laptop, which was running Windows 8.1 pretty-much problem-free, though a bit slowly, until a week ago. For now I have found a temporary 'fix' by disabling automatic updates; otherwise the laptop is constantly stuck on the "failure to configure updates" error page (because, obviously, it's automatically attempting to install updates). I have done all the standard troubleshooting, including running MS Fix It, Dell Dr ('My Dell' found no hardware issues), MS Malware removal and Mcafee anti-malware. All reported "no issues". I have been in command prompt and found no issues I even tried to 'refresh' the laptop again two more times. I have also spoken to two Windows "technicians" and allowed one of them to remotely access my laptop. He found no issues or "violations".
Obviously, the temporary 'fix' of turning off auto-updates isn't a long term solution, and 'refreshing' the laptop hasn't worked (it actually caused the issue). Running Windows 8 on Dell Inspiron 3520.
I'm guessing full format needed? - Would a format resolve the issue, since a 'refresh' caused it?
I am having an issue with the amount of time that it takes for this to complete. I have heard that it can take a bit of time, but my laptop(Acer Aspire V3-771G-9809 Notebook Intel Core i7 3632QM (2.20GHz) 8GB Memory 1TB HDD NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M) has been stuck on 60% for over 24 hours. I am wondering if this is something to be concerned about or do you think everything will be okay?
I need to perform a System Refresh against once of my computers. However, when I try to launch the System Refresh option, it claims Windows is missing some files to do so and to insert a Windows installation media or recovery media to claim those files.
Here's the trip-up: I created recovery media on another Windows 8.1 computer and that STILL didn't work (said something about the media not being valid, despite being generated in the same OS). How do I get this to work?
I did do my homework on this issue and apparently having done the Windows 8.1 upgrade through the Windows Store strips out its ability to do a Refresh/Reset unless an ISO is present (of which you don't have one of course because of how you did the upgrade; chicken and egg problem right there). Two of my computers were done as Windows Store upgrades but my Ultrabook was not (for that I did a complicated jig that allowed me to keep all my installed Windows 8.1 Preview software while still moving to the Windows 8.1 final build). However it doesn't seem to matter as even the Ultrabook, despite its unique upgrade path, still fails to start a Refresh (should I want to do one there) so the problem is all over my Windows 8.1 machines.
I have had to system restore 3 or 4 times in the last week or so as Windows 8 refuses to boot after installing the latest updates discovered from the last couple of weeks (though some are from December 2012)
I have unchecked all the current updates and have decided against installing them as they seem to be preventing Windows from booting.
Pattern - "Restart to install updates"
Restart locks on the start screen - Restart again and locks again (repeat this process 3x)
"Windows is automatically repairing..." - Fails
"Windows must restore settings to a previous time..." - Usually succeeds, sometimes fails.
Then I can get back into Windows.
As soon as I install these updates, I won't get back into Windows until I system restore since before the updates and my build won't remain stable unless I prevent Windows from installing these updates.What could be going on?
They are quite big updates (totalling ~740mb and have all been discovered in the last week or so though some date back to late last year)
I recently did an update of my machine from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1. The update process did not show any errors or warnings and by the time it finished I was under the impression that everything went smooth.
After the update I was testing the environment and discovered that one of my desktop applications stopped working, I went to the developer's website and indeed I found there is a known issue with their software on 8.1 and to solve it, I had to completely uninstall the software and then install it once more. So I went to Programs and Features in order to do so and to my surprise the Uninstall button was missing from the interface. Right-clicking an item and selecting uninstall from the menu gives a warning message suggesting that the application might have already been uninstalled and asks if I wanted to remove the application from the Programs list. However, clicking OK or Cancel just closes the message box and nothing happens.
So I went and tried to Refresh My PC; Once I clicked Refresh My PC the verification process started and indeed it told my that some system files are missing and that it should take care of it provided I insert my Windows disc. Now since its an OTA update from Win 8 to 8.1 I thought that MS knows that some people will not have a physical copy of 8.1 and so I inserted my Windows 8 Pro System Builder disc hoping it would work, but sadly as you might have guessed, it did not. It told me that I needed the 8.1 recovery disc.
Now I have been looking everywhere for a recovery image to download and use to fix my problem, everywhere I go it suggests that I make my own copy. But how am I supposed to do that if my Windows is faulty and has missing files. I really don't wanna go back to Windows 8 and re-upgrade to 8.1. I have a monitored internet bandwidth and I cannot go and download the 3 GB 8.1 update once more.
How can I repair my 8.1 machine?
I came across this article describing how to get an ISO image for 8.1 with a Windows 8 product Key. However, entering my Windows 8 Pro System Builder (OEM) key in the box fails and tells me that the key I entered is not for this product.
A month back I accidentally deleted the wow6432 node from my registry under system_user. I believe this is the root of all my problems. Once I did that, my toshiba c885 D 64 bit would not boot. I forced the computer to shut down and pressed f12 to get to the system recovery options. I then restored to a point before my blunder. Well, my laptop worked for a while and then magically the screen goes black and will not reboot. I did sestem restore a few more times since I could get a little bit of work done in between restoring and the screen turning black again. After I was fed up with having to run system restore every other day, I decided to run system refresh to keep my files but reset everything else. After restoring I am getting the same problem and find myself again running system restore every other day just to keep working.
My questions are if I completely reinstall windows 8 and start from scratch, will this definitely solve the problem? I thought system refresh would have worked, so I'm not sure. Also, are there any other available options for me to fix my computer without starting from scratch?
I did a system refresh earlier because windows media player wasn't working properly.Now all my google bookmarks are gone, but before i did system refresh it said it wouldn't delete any of my personal files? All my music/other media is still there but the only thing that's missing is my bookmarks.
I have made a System Image & a Custom Recovery Image on my Asus Vivotab but I cannot get the system to recognize them on a USB Hard Drive.
I got into this by testing the Refresh Custom Recovery Image. The system did not find the image as the system allocated a different drive letter so I have basic Refresh. I have found my way to the Administrator Command but cannot find RECIMG on either the x: or C: drives. Do I need a Path Command from System32?
I also have a System image on a USB Hard Drive but cannot get the system to find it. I have tried putting the files folders in the root directory but the system still does not recognise them.
I was running windows 8.1 back in January and it crashed during an update. After that, the system wouldn't start and just kept on going round in circles trying to fix itself. (See thread 'Solved: Can't fix windows 8.1, PC locked. Last post 28-2-2014.)
Under diagnostic tests at a local PC repair shop, a hard drive failure seemed to be the problem. Since it was under warranty, it went back to PC World who sent it back to Lenovo. I got it back in March but all they did was a system reset, putting it back on windows 8.
Everything is now working fine apart from one fact. It won't update. I just get the 'failure configuring updates, reverting changes' message. My metro tiles stopped working yesterday as well. I presume this is also an update issue. Under investigation it appears updates have never been installed. I came across a message saying the place where windows stores updates has been moved. How do I repair this, since the windows update troubleshooter doesn't work? I am fairly conversant in DOS, but it's been a while.
I'm using a Lenovo Ideacentre B340 running windows 8 with the following spec:
Intel Pentium CPU G645 @ 2.90GHz DDR3 SDRAM Lenovo Mahobay motherboard 440GB Hard Drive
I have enabled safemode startup on the F8 key and everything of importance is backed up.
I just got Windows 8.1 Ent. and I am starting to get irritated by the "Activate Windows" watermark, so I started looking for ways to activate the OS. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to find a functioning one, and KMS Auto didn't work.
So are there any other ways to activate Windows 8.1, or at least get rid of that watermark.
I wonder whether one or more of 13 recent Windows Updates has caused an issue. I can use System Restore to take my PC back to September 7th, three days before the Windows Updates were installed (there is just a Java update that has taken place since that I would have to carry out again). Alternatively, I can uninstall the Windows Updates one at a time or all together to see whether that rectifies the situation. Is there a preference? Should I uninstall from the highest KB number downwards if I uninstall the Updates one at a time?
After updating windows 8 when I try to launch system properties, explorer hangs and restarts itself but I noticed that it gives me activation section Product ID:Not Available.
I have a Toshiba laptop (Portege R835-P56X). I was running Windows 8 upgraded from Win 7. I successfully upgraded to Windows 8.1 but was having some problems with the Wifi. I followed the instructions to reset the TCP/IP Autotuning. When I restarted, Windows failed to start, and all repair & recovery options failed, so I cannot even access System Restore.
Windows attempts Automatic Repair then shows options to "Restart" or "Advanced Options" but I am unable to click either one--the keyboard and keypad are both completely non-responsive.
Unfortunately, I do not even have a Win 8 disk to use for a repair. I do have a disk image from just before I upgraded to Win 8.1. The problem is: how to access it?
I did a legitimate upgrade from Windows 7 and have a license for Win 8 with Media Center, but unfortunately cannot locate my original email, so Windows won't send me a Windows 8 DVD.
I'm tempted to simply restore to factory settings and Windows 7, which I'm running on my other PC without all these hellish problems. I hate Windows 8 anyway.
I recently got a new PC via my insurance company that came with Windows 8 standard. I requested pro be included with it and they gave me an OEM Windows 8 Pro 64 bit. I have blanked the hard drive and installed it. During the install it does not ask for the product key. Once the install is complete I go to system info and it says Windows is already activated and shows a product key that ends in OEM. At the top it shows the name of the product as Windows 8. If I go to add features it tells me I need to buy pro. If I try to change or use the product key that came in the oem packaging for pro 64 bit it says that product key will not work and to try another.
I am trying to update my system to the new Windows 8. I am already operating on the old one, so the update should be free. My computer will not load the store to allow me to update my software.
I have a new Sony Vaio that came with Kaspary Security system - which has 13 days left. It is a Windows 8 Operating system. I know that Windows Defender is disabled - and want to enable it. I have done Windows start menu; Search for Windows Defender. Window appears on the Desktop indicating that it is not active - with no options. I have also done the Administrative Tools in Control Panel - to "activate" - and completed a restart. I still cannot activate Windows Defender. Do I have to Uninstall the Kaspary antivirus before I can activate Windows Defender? If yes, I assume I would do that through the control Panel - uninstall programs?
After upgrading to Windows 8.1 the key is not showing as valid. When I enter the key I get this error code:
Error code: 0xC004F012
I used a tool to get the actual key from the OEM code and when I try to add that key it also rejects the key. Also, the system will install updates but after rebooting but it reverts all the new updates.
Dell XPS One 2710
I tried calling windows and dell support with no luck..
I tried the guide for activation backup but on reinstall the WMC is missing, so the restore of the activation status fails. Even it seems impossible to integrate the Media Center into the upgrade due to the encrypted install.esd file.
A fresh install via retail iso also failed with the "core" message (wrong version?) giving a slui code afterwards. How to manage to keep the activation intact using the Windows 8 Pro Upgrade?
I have windows 8.1 on a lenovo laptop. A week ago there was an update and I installed it. But after that I first noticed that there was no sound. The volume control has always a red cross and I can't adjust it. Whenever I go to control panel the window freezes. Same goes windows update/recovery/system restore and other pc settings. I think something went wrong with installing the update so i want to go back to a point before that update. But how do i do that when i cant go to control panel/windows update etc.?
My KMSMicro v3.10 was working perfectly activating both Windows 8 and Office 2013.
Now suddenly I get an error message when trying to activate: "ERROR DESCRIPTION: The Software Licensing Service reported that the product could not be activated. The count reported by your Key Management Service (KMS) is insufficient. Please contact your system administrator."
When I check the KMS State on the KMS Server I get for Windows:-
Total Requests Received: 207 Failed Requests Received: 0 Requests with License Status Unlicensed: 0 Requests with License Status Licensed: 13 Requests with License Status Initial grace period: 0 Requests with License Status License expired or Hardware out of tolerance: 0 Requests with License Status Non-genuine grace period: 0 Requests with License Status Notification: 194
For Office 2013:-
Total Requests Received: 37 Failed Requests Received: 15 Requests with License Status Unlicensed: 0 Requests with License Status Licensed: 13 Requests with License Status Initial grace period: 0 Requests with License Status License expired or Hardware out of tolerance: 0 Requests with License Status Non-genuine grace period: 0 Requests with License Status Notification: 9
Like I said all was well until 3-4 days ago. I did do a big update to both Windows 8 and Office 2013 using the Windows Update on my computers. Has Microsoft patched the software to not make it work anymore?
I have had a Dell Inspiron 3520 for 3 weeks now. It has had 2 Windows Updates in that time. Both times I lost Internet connection and any way of connecting. The connection bar for the wi-fi was on, connection good but no Internet. After a lot of chat with Dell I did a System restore to Factory settings the first time (16 days ago). I also did a restore point once I'd re-set everything up again.
2 days ago the same thing happened after a Windows update and I also could not locate the restore point so it was back to Factory settings.
I purchased a new ASUS LAPTOP which came with windows 8 installed. When i tried to restart after installing Gtalk i got this message.
"Failure configuring windows updates. reverting changes. do not turn off your computer ".
I got this on last friday i.e the 6th of june, ever since i am not able to do anything with my laptop. I don't have windows 8 dvd as well. How do I reboot it?
Model number : Asus 15634 Laptop Intel Core i3 .
I also tried pressing the power button for 15 secs , still no luck. Tried f8 f9 and windows + r and windows+ X keys no luck.
After a BSOD and utter failure to boot (presumably a critical OS file damaged) I ran the recovery tools for a total factory reset.
Connected to the internet and worked for an hour or two, then tried a reboot. Windows update had 104 updates to process. It did them, then "Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes. Do not turn off your computer"
This should take half an hour. After 90 minutes it has rebooted 5 or 6 times. It keeps reverting to the same "Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes. Do not turn off your computer" message. Looks like it might want to reboot through each of those 104 updates.
I'm going to repeat the factory reset and the FIRST thing I will do is disable updates. I'm going to see how long I can work without any updates.
