Windows Activation Problem

[Whowants2brich]

Hello,

I bought a Droidbox W10 and really like it for so many different reasons. However, it is now throwing up Windows Activation issues, saying that my version of Windows expires soon.

I was under the impression that it had the fully activated license version of Windows 10 Home, and I am very surprised that it is asking for activation.

Please can you help me to know what needs to be done, and/or help me to activate properly?

Thank you!

 

[Nigelar]

Think you should contact droidbox support direct via email or live chat in the morning to get a quick response in case the forum community is not able to answer this question.

 

[ChrisM]

@Whowants2brich That shouldn't have happened, you're right. If you've not already done so, shoot us an e-mail (see signature below) and we'll make sure this gets sorted out.

 

[Whowants2brich]

@Whowants2brich That shouldn't have happened, you're right. If you've not already done so, shoot us an e-mail (see signature below) and we'll make sure this gets sorted out.

Hi! I noticed that the original licence key that was entered on the W10 was one of the generic ones online, it had been broadcast and probably blocked (or changed to a temporary code). The KMS that the computer was trying to contact to activate was not found, and so activation failed.

I would have assumed that a full version of Windows would have been installed, including a proper product key that I should have received along with the box - to go with it. I don't mind trying a factory reset (I'll back it all up fully so I can restore if necessary) to see if it fixes it...

Whilst I could probably live with a not activated version of windows 10, since it doesn't seem to limit anything that I would use on a regular basis, it would be good to find a fix - for myself and anyone else who may buy this...

 

[ChrisM]

It may be that someone shared some of the keys (the devices don't all share the same one) used, grab us via e-mail and we'll make sure you're sorted.

 

[Whowants2brich]

Email sent. I look forward to your support...

I wonder if I'm the only one having this issue... I doubt it! (or am I the only one with the Droidbox W10...?)

 

[Jagrolet]

I just got the same error message tonight.
It says my Windows needs activated or it will expire on May 22.

 

[David Savage]

Email the support team, use the contact us at the bottom of the page.

Good luck.

 

[Whowants2brich]

My response from Droidbox was a bit surprising - not very helpful though. The suggestion was to return the unit, this after having spent ages configuring it properly to get it to work.

I ended up thinking outside of the box - literally! To save my wasted time/effort, I am a student so I bought a windows 10 education license, and used that on my W10. I'm not too happy that I had to "use" my education license on my what should have already been licensed and activated W10 box, but at least it's up and running and activated properly.

I am now concerned that the activation key Droidbox are using is illegal, and that they (you) should be using proper W10 codes, but then maybe they're not able to get the free versions to install them onto these boxes - in which case the W10 is a very dodgy box to buy. Unless, of course, you want to spend over £100 buying a proper Win10 home / pro version, just for the activation key...

Droidbox should reply with proper assistance and an explanation here, rather than to tell customers to email them and return their units. If it wasn't for this issue, I would probably buy a second unit, I love using it and its portability... but I can't activate another Win10 box...

 

[dwinger]

My response from Droidbox was a bit surprising - not very helpful though. The suggestion was to return the unit, this after having spent ages configuring it properly to get it to work.

I ended up thinking outside of the box - literally! To save my wasted time/effort, I am a student so I bought a windows 10 education license, and used that on my W10. I'm not too happy that I had to "use" my education license on my what should have already been licensed and activated W10 box, but at least it's up and running and activated properly.

I am now concerned that the activation key Droidbox are using is illegal, and that they (you) should be using proper W10 codes, but then maybe they're not able to get the free versions to install them onto these boxes - in which case the W10 is a very dodgy box to buy. Unless, of course, you want to spend over £100 buying a proper Win10 home / pro version, just for the activation key...

Droidbox should reply with proper assistance and an explanation here, rather than to tell customers to email them and return their units. If it wasn't for this issue, I would probably buy a second unit, I love using it and its portability... but I can't activate another Win10 box...

I was thinking about buying a W10 would you recommend it bare in mind I own aT8s plus

 

[Jagrolet]

I was thinking about buying a W10 would you recommend it bare in mind I own aT8s plus

I have a T8, and 2 of the T8-S boxes and 1 W-10 box. There are things I like about both. The W10 box is super nice to network with other Windows machines in the house.
I do recommend it, however I would wait till till this Windows licensing thing is solved.
I just received instructions from them with a link to download a license patch. I installed it, and it said it was successful but when I rebooted, I still get the expiration notice.
It did not work for me. Waiting to hear back from them for the next step.

 

[dwinger]

I have a T8, and 2 of the T8-S boxes and 1 W-10 box. There are things I like about both. The W10 box is super nice to network with other Windows machines in the house.
I do recommend it, however I would wait till till this Windows licensing thing is solved.
I just received instructions from them with a link to download a license patch. I installed it, and it said it was successful but when I rebooted, I still get the expiration notice.
It did not work for me. Waiting to hear back from them for the next step.

Thank you've been very helpful I think I will stick with what I got i.e a T8,T8s plus and my friendly little laptop. Thanks for your reply

 

[Whowants2brich]

I really like my w10, especially with the memory card and the upgraded license key I was able to acquire.

If I had to pay for a proper activation key, I would have asked for a refund, but with it working as it is, I am now very happy.

There are obviously a few quirks, but I can live with them... 2gb ram is just enough, and I wish I had a hibernation mode, but otherwise, it's great.

It would be good to know what droidbox will do to address the activation issue, to encourage more people to buy this device... But only for fully activated versions...

 

[ChrisM]

Excuse the delay, we've been in contact with the supplier, and are looking into this issue.
We have been informed by our suppliers that the W10 devices come activated with licenced Windows. We have contacted them and are waiting confirmation regarding how to proceed with failed activations.

 

[Jagrolet]

Excuse the delay, we've been in contact with the supplier, and are looking into this issue.
We have been informed by our suppliers that the W10 devices come activated with licenced Windows. We have contacted them and are waiting confirmation regarding how to proceed with failed activations.

Has the supplier provided a solution to the Windows expiration issue yet?
I only have 3 days left.

 

[Whowants2brich]

An easy solution would be for the few people who bought this box to be sent, via email, a win 10 activation key for home, to activate properly.

I can only assume it would be a quick way to fix this.

Whether the supplier will be willing to, who knows...

 

[Whowants2brich]

On a side note, the system will still work if not activated properly, there are a few minor things that won't work but it won't have a huge impact.

The bigger issue regards the misrepresentation of what we bought!

 

[ChrisM]

@Jagrolet They provided a procedure which we followed (with a remote connection) to a customer in America yesterday, this seemed to work. Grab us via e-mail with a link to this thread and your order ID if you'd like the same process applied.

@Whowants2brich No mis-representation on our part, the overwhelming majority of W10 devices haven't had an issue with Activation being lost, we've been working hard to get this sorted for the handful that encountered issues.

 

[Jagrolet]

@Jagrolet They provided a procedure which we followed (with a remote connection) to a customer in America yesterday, this seemed to work. Grab us via e-mail with a link to this thread and your order ID if you'd like the same process applied.

@Whowants2brich No mis-representation on our part, the overwhelming majority of W10 devices haven't had an issue with Activation being lost, we've been working hard to get this sorted for the handful that encountered issues.

Absolutely! I was that customer in America.
My W10 seems to be fixed now. The Activation completely expired on me and there was a notice in the bottom right corner of the screen that would not go away.
After remote connection into my machine and a reboot, it now shows that I am activated. Good job Chris!

As far as the misrepresentation of the product goes, I do not believe these guys do business that way from experience in dealing with them.
They have always been very responsive and courteous in my several personal dealings with them. They go the extra mile (kilometer) for me every time.
I have purchased no less than 5 boxes from them (and had a few bumps along the way) but they always come thru for me expediently.
Once they had a packing error and forgot to include something I ordered in the box. I notified them of the mistake, and they immediately shipped the item to me internationally on their coin. I have nothing but good to say about them. Their efforts to satisfy the customer have been exemplary. They will continue to get my business.

 

[Whowants2brich]

I'd like to know what the remote connection does, ie install something or just add a new activation key?

I've so far nothing bad to say about any company that issues fixes, and stays in touch with customers to provide resolution...