Product code

I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I
think I entered the product code to activate that was included with
the purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows
product code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I
entered the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is
different from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was
that it too was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

On 1/8/2013 5:16 PM, Marv wrote:
I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I think
I entered the product code to activate that was included with the
purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows product
code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I entered
the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is different
from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was that it too
was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

The key for Windows 8 Pro is invalid for the Media Center. You need to
get a new key from Microsoft. There is a special link for the key for
free per email address until the 31st (link below). After the 31st, it
will cost about 10 bucks. Btw, you have to activate the key before
February, or the key becomes invalid.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../feature-packs

--
Bill
Motion Computing LE1600 Tablet ('06 era) - Thunderbird v12
Centrino 758 1.5GHz - 1.5GB - Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 SP2

On 1/8/2013 6:16 PM, Marv wrote:
I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I
think I entered the product code to activate that was included with
the purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows
product code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I
entered the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is
different from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was
that it too was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?
There have been problems in getting the media center download documented
in Microsoft's user forums.
http://answers.microsoft.com

Search
Windows 8 Media Center

If the problems still exist, the quickest option is call Microsoft.
There are different phone numbers, with differing results.
When all else fails, calling the corporate number usually gets you to
someone that can help.

BillW50 wrote:
On 1/8/2013 5:16 PM, Marv wrote:
I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I think
I entered the product code to activate that was included with the
purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows product
code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I entered
the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is different
from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was that it too
was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

The key for Windows 8 Pro is invalid for the Media Center. You need to
get a new key from Microsoft. There is a special link for the key for
free per email address until the 31st (link below). After the 31st, it
will cost about 10 bucks. Btw, you have to activate the key before
February, or the key becomes invalid.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../feature-packs


In other words, the code generated on that page, is independent of
the original purchase.

Example:

1) I buy Windows 8 Pro for $39.95.
My license key is xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-12345

2) I go to the URL Bill gave you.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../feature-packs

I enter my email address. Say it is



About ten minutes later, I check my email box, and
a new key is in an email message. This key has nothing to
do with the xxxxx one above. No relationship.

yyyyy-yyyyy-yyyyy-yyyyy-54321

3) Now, I go to

"Add features to Windows 8"

"I already have a product key"

Enter the new key that came from the email.

yyyyy-yyyyy-yyyyy-yyyyy-54321

The idea would be, Media Center is like an AnyTime Upgrade.
You enter the key for the new feature, and the OS is supposed
to figure out that Media Center should be enabled.

When I went through this process, there was a minimal amount of
network activity. So Media Center, at least to me, did not
seem to be downloaded entirely over my network connection.
Some of the software could already have been sitting
in the Windows 8 Pro installation, waiting for the AnyTime
Upgrade key.

In this case, the necessary key is offered from that web
page. Every user gets a unique key. You might get -54321 for
your Media Center key, and I might get -54322.

*******

Apparently there was a hack, where you could activate Windows 8
using the MC key. So Microsoft will eventually have to sort
this out, adjust the Servicing Stack, and invalidate the
installations of Windows 8, that somehow used the MC key for
a purpose it was not intended for :-)

I notice the Captcha on the free MC link, is pretty nasty now.
When I got my MC key, the Captcha wasn't very challenging. The
idea of that thing, is to prevent bots from making a nuisance
of themselves, and hammering the "Send My Product Key" over
and over again. The Captcha I got when I tried right now,
is very hard to make out. Maybe that's how they'll prevent
legit customers from getting the freebie :-)

Paul

Hi, Marv.

In Microsoft's eyes, "Windows 8 Pro with Media Center" is NOT the same as
Windows 8 Pro, and it takes a whole new Product Key. When you applied
online for the MC add-on, MS should have promised you an email "within 72
hours". I had to wait (im)patiently the FULL 72 hours before getting the
email with the Subject: Your product key for Windows Media Center Pack.

That email has the PK and full instructions for 6 steps to download and
install the MC Pack. This PK is NOT the same as the one for Win8 Pro and
will not work to Activate your Win8 Pro w/MC. So be sure you SAVE THAT
EMAIL because you probably will need it again some day. Without it, you'll
have to go through the rigmarole of activating by phone - as I did. :(

RC
-- --
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP (2002-2010)
Windows Live Mail 2012 (Build 16.4.3505.0912)) in Win8 Pro


"Marv" wrote in message ...

I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I
think I entered the product code to activate that was included with
the purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows
product code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I
entered the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is
different from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was
that it too was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

On 1/8/2013 5:16 PM, Marv wrote:
I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I
think I entered the product code to activate that was included with
the purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows
product code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I
entered the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is
different from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was
that it too was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

Try copying and pasting the code that came in the email with the Media
Center software. It's very easy to get zero's and the letter O's
confused among others. I was able to paste the entire code in one go
along with the dashes and it took it just fine, placing the data fields
where they belonged all by itself.

The other thing would be to go to the Media Center and request another
"free" for now key. Remember that the key for Media Center and Windows
8 are not be the same code. You have to use the code that they Email
you for specifically for Media Center to activate it.

While the activation code is free, at the moment, you can request as
many as you need using individual emails, but they do take a while to
show up in your email.

Any extra codes you request and receive in your email account and do not
use will expire at the end of the month anyway.

On 1/8/2013 6:16 PM, Marv wrote:
I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I
think I entered the product code to activate that was included with
the purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows
product code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I
entered the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is
different from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was
that it too was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

I did get the product code for the Windows Media Center, entered it and
the system took a long time to process and restart. When it did I got
the message "Couldn't Add Feature. Your previous edition of Windows has
been restored but you should contact Microsoft support."

Question -Is Microsoft Media Player and Microsoft Media Center the same
software?

I haven't found a phone number on the Microsoft Support web site to
contact Microsoft.

On Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:37:22 -0500, Marv
wrote:

On 1/8/2013 6:16 PM, Marv wrote:
I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I
think I entered the product code to activate that was included with
the purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows
product code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I
entered the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is
different from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was
that it too was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

I did get the product code for the Windows Media Center, entered it and
the system took a long time to process and restart. When it did I got
the message "Couldn't Add Feature. Your previous edition of Windows has
been restored but you should contact Microsoft support."

Question -Is Microsoft Media Player and Microsoft Media Center the same
software?

I haven't found a phone number on the Microsoft Support web site to
contact Microsoft.

Media *Center* is NOT Media *Player*. Get the separate free
Product Key for Media Center if you got Win 8 Pro. It takes
anywhere from a couple hours to 3 days to get it. I used to
different e-mail addresses. I submitted one on Sat PM--did
not get any response until Tues PM. I submitted a second
request Tues AM using a different e-mail address--and got
that response (Product Key) within 2-3 hours (or less). You
should also sign up for the Microsoft login crap even though
(IMO) it should not really be needed. You will need it to
simplify getting/adding apps and so on from the MS Store
(even if they are free).

"Paul" wrote in message ...


In this case, the necessary key is offered from that web
page. Every user gets a unique key. You might get -54321 for
your Media Center key, and I might get -54322.


Use of the Win8 Media Center key changes the original purchase
product key for Windows 8 Pro to the Media Center key **and**
converts the license from any form of the previous o/s type to a
retail license thereby changing the installed version of Windows 8
Pro to Windows 8 Pro Media Center.

If one needs to reinstall (clean) at a later point in time they will
need both Product Keys - the original upgrade, OEM or Personal
Use Product Key to reinstall Windows 8 Pro and the Media Center
Product Key to add the Media Center add-on.


--
....winston
msft mvp

"Paul" wrote...

In other words, the code generated on that page, is independent of
the original purchase.

Example:

1) I buy Windows 8 Pro for $39.95.
My license key is xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-12345

2) I go to the URL Bill gave you.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../feature-packs

I enter my email address. Say it is



About ten minutes later, I check my email box, and
a new key is in an email message. This key has nothing to
do with the xxxxx one above. No relationship.

yyyyy-yyyyy-yyyyy-yyyyy-54321

3) Now, I go to

"Add features to Windows 8"

"I already have a product key"

Enter the new key that came from the email.

yyyyy-yyyyy-yyyyy-yyyyy-54321

The idea would be, Media Center is like an AnyTime Upgrade.
You enter the key for the new feature, and the OS is supposed
to figure out that Media Center should be enabled.

When I went through this process, there was a minimal amount of
network activity. So Media Center, at least to me, did not
seem to be downloaded entirely over my network connection.
Some of the software could already have been sitting
in the Windows 8 Pro installation, waiting for the AnyTime
Upgrade key.

In this case, the necessary key is offered from that web
page. Every user gets a unique key. You might get -54321 for
your Media Center key, and I might get -54322.

--------------------------

I have three distinct product keys:

1. The original purchase product key for Windows 8 Pro
2. The Media Center key
3. The Windows 8 Pro Media Center key (found by Keyfinder)

On Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:14:22 -0600, GlowingBlueMist wrote:

On 1/8/2013 5:16 PM, Marv wrote:
I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I
think I entered the product code to activate that was included with
the purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows
product code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I
entered the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is
different from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was
that it too was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

Try copying and pasting the code that came in the email with the Media
Center software. It's very easy to get zero's and the letter O's
confused among others. I was able to paste the entire code in one go
along with the dashes and it took it just fine, placing the data fields
where they belonged all by itself.

The other thing would be to go to the Media Center and request another
"free" for now key. Remember that the key for Media Center and Windows
8 are not be the same code. You have to use the code that they Email
you for specifically for Media Center to activate it.

While the activation code is free, at the moment, you can request as
many as you need using individual emails, but they do take a while to
show up in your email.

Any extra codes you request and receive in your email account and do not
use will expire at the end of the month anyway.

As I recall, Microsoft says you can have only up to 5 free Media
Centers.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

On 1/9/2013 2:31 PM, Gene E. Bloch wrote:
On Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:14:22 -0600, GlowingBlueMist wrote:

On 1/8/2013 5:16 PM, Marv wrote:
I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I
think I entered the product code to activate that was included with
the purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows
product code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I
entered the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is
different from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was
that it too was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

Try copying and pasting the code that came in the email with the Media
Center software. It's very easy to get zero's and the letter O's
confused among others. I was able to paste the entire code in one go
along with the dashes and it took it just fine, placing the data fields
where they belonged all by itself.

The other thing would be to go to the Media Center and request another
"free" for now key. Remember that the key for Media Center and Windows
8 are not be the same code. You have to use the code that they Email
you for specifically for Media Center to activate it.

While the activation code is free, at the moment, you can request as
many as you need using individual emails, but they do take a while to
show up in your email.

Any extra codes you request and receive in your email account and do not
use will expire at the end of the month anyway.

As I recall, Microsoft says you can have only up to 5 free Media
Centers.

I think that only applies to the $14.99/$39.99 Windows 8 Pro upgrade deal.

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - Thunderbird v12
Centrino Core2 Duo T7400 2.16 GHz - 4GB - Windows 7 SP1

On Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:00:00 -0600, BillW50 wrote:

On 1/9/2013 2:31 PM, Gene E. Bloch wrote:
On Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:14:22 -0600, GlowingBlueMist wrote:

On 1/8/2013 5:16 PM, Marv wrote:
I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I
think I entered the product code to activate that was included with
the purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows
product code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I
entered the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is
different from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was
that it too was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

Try copying and pasting the code that came in the email with the Media
Center software. It's very easy to get zero's and the letter O's
confused among others. I was able to paste the entire code in one go
along with the dashes and it took it just fine, placing the data fields
where they belonged all by itself.

The other thing would be to go to the Media Center and request another
"free" for now key. Remember that the key for Media Center and Windows
8 are not be the same code. You have to use the code that they Email
you for specifically for Media Center to activate it.

While the activation code is free, at the moment, you can request as
many as you need using individual emails, but they do take a while to
show up in your email.

Any extra codes you request and receive in your email account and do not
use will expire at the end of the month anyway.

As I recall, Microsoft says you can have only up to 5 free Media
Centers.

I think that only applies to the $14.99/$39.99 Windows 8 Pro upgrade deal.

I don't.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

On 1/9/2013 3:21 PM, Gene E. Bloch wrote:
On Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:00:00 -0600, BillW50 wrote:

On 1/9/2013 2:31 PM, Gene E. Bloch wrote:
On Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:14:22 -0600, GlowingBlueMist wrote:

On 1/8/2013 5:16 PM, Marv wrote:
I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I
think I entered the product code to activate that was included with
the purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows
product code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I
entered the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is
different from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was
that it too was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

Try copying and pasting the code that came in the email with the Media
Center software. It's very easy to get zero's and the letter O's
confused among others. I was able to paste the entire code in one go
along with the dashes and it took it just fine, placing the data fields
where they belonged all by itself.

The other thing would be to go to the Media Center and request another
"free" for now key. Remember that the key for Media Center and Windows
8 are not be the same code. You have to use the code that they Email
you for specifically for Media Center to activate it.

While the activation code is free, at the moment, you can request as
many as you need using individual emails, but they do take a while to
show up in your email.

Any extra codes you request and receive in your email account and do not
use will expire at the end of the month anyway.

As I recall, Microsoft says you can have only up to 5 free Media
Centers.

I think that only applies to the $14.99/$39.99 Windows 8 Pro upgrade deal.

I don't.


Ok.

$14.99 Deal
https://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-US/Registration

Free Media Center
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../feature-packs

They both say only 5 per customer in the fine print on the bottom.

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - Thunderbird v12
Centrino Core2 Duo T7400 2.16 GHz - 4GB - Windows 7 SP1

On Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:31:38 -0600, BillW50 wrote:

On 1/9/2013 3:21 PM, Gene E. Bloch wrote:
On Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:00:00 -0600, BillW50 wrote:

On 1/9/2013 2:31 PM, Gene E. Bloch wrote:
On Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:14:22 -0600, GlowingBlueMist wrote:

On 1/8/2013 5:16 PM, Marv wrote:
I recently purchased and installed Windows 8 Pro on this system. I
think I entered the product code to activate that was included with
the purchase confirmation. I just recently attempted to download the
Microsoft's Media Center software. When it asked for the Windows
product code I entered the same one that was included on the purchase
confirmation. The response was that the code was invalid. Then I
entered the one that Balarc Advisory said is in the system (which is
different from the one on the purchase confirmation). The response was
that it too was invalid.

Any thoughts on where I should go from here?

Try copying and pasting the code that came in the email with the Media
Center software. It's very easy to get zero's and the letter O's
confused among others. I was able to paste the entire code in one go
along with the dashes and it took it just fine, placing the data fields
where they belonged all by itself.

The other thing would be to go to the Media Center and request another
"free" for now key. Remember that the key for Media Center and Windows
8 are not be the same code. You have to use the code that they Email
you for specifically for Media Center to activate it.

While the activation code is free, at the moment, you can request as
many as you need using individual emails, but they do take a while to
show up in your email.

Any extra codes you request and receive in your email account and do not
use will expire at the end of the month anyway.

As I recall, Microsoft says you can have only up to 5 free Media
Centers.

I think that only applies to the $14.99/$39.99 Windows 8 Pro upgrade deal.

I don't.

Ok.

$14.99 Deal
https://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-US/Registration

Free Media Center
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../feature-packs

They both say only 5 per customer in the fine print on the bottom.

Here's what the second link says about how many free Media Centers you
can get:
"Offer valid from October 26, 2012, until January 31, 2013, and is
limited to one product key per email address."

I only have four e-mail addresses :-)

I agree that the fine print for Windows 8 says five per customer.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)