I have an XPS 8500 that came from the factory with Windows 8. Soon after the purchase (around first of 2013) I made the rescue disks on 4 DVDs. Recently the hard drive failed. I gave the Dell salesman the service tag # and ordered a new hard drive. I Asked what I needed to re-install the OS. I was told I needed a USB key ($39.99) and ordered one. I was told this would get me up and running.
I installed the new drive and inserted the USB key. Windows installed and runs. However, I cannot activate Windows. Using Belarc advisor I was able to find my Windows key imbedded on the bios. When I input that key the pop up tells me that the current edition is Windows 8 Pro and the current product key ends with QPBRC. This differs from the product key embedded in the bios and I get an error code of 0xc004c003 'the activation server determined the specified product key has been blocked" and that I need to purchase a new key.
I'm assuming that the problem is that I have a valid key for Windows 8 but not Windows 8 Pro.
I called Dell and was given a number to call Microsoft; alternatively, I was told that I'd need to go through Dell's tech support at a cost of around $250.
I am at a loss at this point. Any suggestions are welcome!