Windows 10 deactivated after BIOS update?

Billzz

Billzz

Billzz

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Joined
11 Dec 2003
Posts
297
Hi all,

I’m having real problems with a Windows 10 installation. I’ve been running it fine, all updated and activated from a windows 7 install with no problems for the last month. A couple of days ago I had to update my BIOS on my motherboard to the latest version. When I ran Windows 10 again it said it was not activated (the product key doesn’t work is its answer) - error code 0xC004C003.

Thinking it would be an easy fix I called Microsoft to try and sort it out. These guys were no help whatsoever. After reading out several numbers and giving them the activation code from my windows 7 install they said “give it two days and it should activate itself no problem” - their exact words. I was skeptical but gave them the benefit of the doubt. I couldn’t see how this would ‘magically’ activate itself.

Well, its been two days and nothing has happened. I'm going to call back this afternoon but am expecting no real help.

Can anybody help with my issue? Why would it deactivate itself after installing a new BIOS?

Anybody any ideas or can anyone give any advice about getting this thing activated again? Can I use windows 10 without activating it without time limits? Are there any limitations as to what I can do?

Any help would be appreciated.
 
It thinks you've changed your motherboard. Presumably a checksum for the BIOS has changed and it's using that as part of your machine identity.

Thankfully as I have an old x79 board I shouldn't need to update my BIOS again, but it's a little worrying that a BIOS update can break the trust relationship between the OS and hardware!
 
OK quick update. Just spoken to MS who supplied a new key - no messing - so all is good again now. Seems like its pot luck about who you actually get to speak to at MS!
 
Don't stress about it, it is a bit of pot luck on if the person will resolve or tell you to wait, if its not working just thank them, end the call and request another call back.

At the end of the day, its an excellent OS being given away for free.
 
on the third guy, wants me to reinstall windows 7, then 8, then 8.1 and windows 10, thinks that's perfectly reasonable
 
give up 1hour wasted, will wait see what happens I guess, no way am I reinstalling everything again.

If a BIOS update forces that then there is going to be mayhem over time
 
Mayhem over time, not immediate

What happens after a year when the free upgrade goes away, you do a BIOS update and suddenly the best you can have is 8.1, they really haven't thought this through

Actually any buying Windows 10 and not getting it free has the same issue as well
 
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if u keep trying u will finally get somebody to do it.

buying Windows 10 gives a product key so you'd just call the activation number like you do on previous OS's to reactivate.
 
In the windows 10 thread there are a lot of people who have changed their motherboard and have been enable to ring msft and get a w10 key IF they originally had w8.1 retail and upgraded from that.

Retail version is the key and msft will give you a specific w10 key based on that.
 
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