General Information
This article is a guide to help troubleshoot the common issues with activating Windows 7, Windows 8 & Windows 8.1 Enterprise. The process to activate Windows 8.1 Enterprise depends on the location of the computer. This article covers activation instructions for on-campus, off-campus & the Residential Halls.
On-Campus Guide
1. Run the script below that corresponds with the OS of your computer. These scripts are provided to ITS & are written to correct known issues
a. Choose the Script for your Operating System:
b. Double-click the downloaded .vbs file to run the script.
c. Click Yes. (If prompted you for administrator privileges.)
2. Check to see if Windows is Activated Now:
3. STILL NOT ACTIVATING CORRECTLY?
a. Generate the error code:
b. Check to determine if your product is Activated Now:
c. If the result is an Error Code, use this information to Find a Possible Solution.
Off-Campus Guide
(NOTE: Activation from Off-Campus requires a active VPN connection. For installation help, visit the VPN at LSU: Overview article)
1. Connect to the AnyConnect VPN.
2. Confirm VPN is successfully connected. (Mac: How do I tell?) OR (Windows: How do I tell?)
3. Run the ITS provided script which corrects known issues.
a. Download the appropriate script for your computer
b. Double-click the downloaded file to run the script.
c. Click Yes, if prompted for administrator privileges.
4. Check to see if Windows is now activated.
5. STILL NOT ACTIVATING?
a. Generate the Error Code.
b. You will need to see if your product is activated.
c. If the result is an Error Code, use this information to Find a Possible Solution.
Residential Halls (Wired Connections Must use the VPN)
1. Connect to Cisco VPN Client. *Residence Halls Only*
2. Confirm VPN is successfully connected. (Mac: How do I tell?) OR (Windows: How do I tell?)
a. Download the appropriate script for your computer
b. Double-click the downloaded .vbs file to run the script.
c. Click Yes, if prompted for administrator privileges.
3. Determine if Windows is Activated Now.
4. STILL NOT ACTIVATING?
a. Generate the Error Code:
b. You will need to see if your product is activated.
c. If the result is an error code, use the Error Code to find the possible solution below.
Error Codes and Possible Solutions
Error Code: 0xC004F074
Possible Cause:
The computer's system time DOES NOT match the system time of the Activation Server.
Possible Solutions:
1. Check to see if your time zone. It should be set to Central Time zone:
2. If your Time IS NOT set to Central Time:
3. If your Time Zone was set to a time zone other than Central Time, please make correction & re-attempt the Activation process:
Error Code : 0x8007007B, 0xC004C008, 0xC004C020
Possible Cause:
The key which Windows is trying to use to activate is invalid or it is having difficulty finding the activation server.
Possible Solutions:
1. If you have not already done so, or if you are not sure, please follow the steps in one of these articles:
2. Set the Location of the Activation Server:
3. Re-attempt Activation:
Error Code : 0x8007232b
Possible Cause:
Activating a Virtual Machine.
Possible Solution:
1. If you are trying to activate in a Virtual Machine, please follow the steps in this GROK article:
2. Re-attempt Activation:
Error code 0xC004F035
Possible Cause:
Your computer did not come with a Microsoft operating systems installed in it.
Possible Solutions:
1. Do you get this error message:
- "The computer could not be activated with a volume license key. The license key requires updating from a qualified operating system."?
2. Check with the manufacturer of your machine to update your BIOS.
- You can find this out by checking for the latest updates on their website.
3. Check to make sure you are running the latest version of the BIOS.
Still Not Working?
Have further questions or concerns? --Check out this Microsoft TechNet article.
None of these fixes activated your Windows 8.1 product? -- E-mail servicedesk@lsu.edu for one-on-one assistance.
Referenced from: Microsoft