Delay getting an activation key

[Tegeril]

When I went to request a key, it told me it may take up to 72 hours to process. I know I've read on here in other places that people used to get 24 hour notices and was wondering if this is new. Similarly...I made the request on Sunday. I still don't have a key for media center =\ Typical?

[wooderson]

I requested mine on the PM of the 25th, and haven't received it yet.

I wonder if it has something to do with this: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/ ... dows_8_Pro

[Robertus]

Yeah, I know what you mean, I needed 3 activation codes for my 3 new W8MC servers I built, it took 4 days nearly and had to use 3 different email addresses, what a pain.

[wooderson]

Mine arrived yesterday, it took 7 days. I already reverted to my Windows 7 image, so I guess I'll just tuck this away in case I upgrade again.

[foxwood]

Mine arrived yesterday, it took 7 days. I already reverted to my Windows 7 image, so I guess I'll just tuck this away in case I upgrade again.

You have to use it before January 31st - after that, WMC will cost $10.

[mdavej]

You mean you have to get one before then or you have to use it? How can they charge you more money if you already have a key?

[staknhalo]

You mean you have to get one before then or you have to use it? How can they charge you more money if you already have a key?

You have to activate the key before that date. Just load up a VM and do it if you need to.

[foxwood]

How can they charge you more money if you already have a key?

The key you have won't work after January 31st - it will fail activation.

[nxsfan]

I just got a key in < 5 minutes.

1) Call this number: 800-936-5700
2) Answer "None of the above" to the list of options.
3) Tell the customer agent: "I have been waiting X days for a Windows 8 Media Center Pack key."

Some form of escalation was required but I dealt with the same agent throughout the call. Within 3 minutes she was reading me the key. I realise I probably got the 1 in 100 agents that is good at their job.

Crucially: She needed no additional information from me, she didn't look any of my orders up in the system. She simply took my name, asked for an email address and subsequently provided the key. So if they are looking up information you are probably dealing with someone who doesn't understand the request or doesn't know what they are doing.

[Sjchmura]

I thought there was not "trial version" of Win 8 Pro and that all installs require a key - is this incorrect. Funny, sicne I am at a volume licensing place anyway (University of Chicago) - we just don't have our keys yet!

Hilarious. I would love to try it before our keys arrive - ala windows 7 trial period.

[Sjchmura]

I thought there was not "trial version" of Win 8 Pro and that all installs require a key - is this incorrect. Funny, sicne I am at a volume licensing place anyway (University of Chicago) - we just don't have our keys yet!

Hilarious. I would love to try it before our keys arrive - ala windows 7 trial period.

[staknhalo]

You can't skip putting in a key on install. Whether you use a valid or invalid key is up to you. You just won't be able to activate once installed if you use an invalid one.

[foxwood]

I thought there was not "trial version" of Win 8 Pro and that all installs require a key - is this incorrect. Funny, sicne I am at a volume licensing place anyway (University of Chicago) - we just don't have our keys yet!

Hilarious. I would love to try it before our keys arrive - ala windows 7 trial period.

There are 2 keys involved. First you install Windows 8 Pro with the key that you got for your $40 upgrade version. Then once that is installed and activated, you install the Media Center Pack, which requires a new key, which is currently free (if you can actually get one).

[Robertus]

I needed 4 keys and I had to use 4 different emails addresses to get them. The longest took nearly 3 days and the first one I got in about 2 hours.

Microsoft will now be able tell how my people actually use MCE in W8 against just using Windows 8. It might be a good thing when they realise how many users of MCE are really out there.

[milli260876]

Got mine the day after I activated w8, not surprised considering the mediacenter key was activating windows....

[staknhalo]

I needed 4 keys and I had to use 4 different emails addresses to get them. The longest took nearly 3 days and the first one I got in about 2 hours.

Microsoft will now be able tell how my people actually use MCE in W8 against just using Windows 8. It might be a good thing when they realise how many users of MCE are really out there.

I requested about 8 keys and activated them all via VM for that very reason

[Danno100]

I ordered 3 Media Center Packs and received the keys within 4 days.

The first computer (my main Media Center server) I tried to upgrade to WIn 8 PRO failed after the advisor said it was upgradeable. Tried to install it twice; wasted $40. I didn't try my other desktop or laptop because I decided Win 7 works OK.

I ordered a mac Mini (i7, 8 GB RAM) and will use it with Elgato to record clearQAM and ATSC. So although I purchased the Win 8 upgrade and free Media Center update, MS will never see me using using Media Center again. Too bad my experience was so bad.

[JazJon]

Could someone please PM me a spare MCE key? Someone was kind enough to give me one yesterday. I used that key for my friends setup, but I need one more for my own now. Thanks!
P.S. I've requested 5 keys from 5 different emails, on different internet connections and different computers. (and not one has been sent even after 72 hours!!!)

[milli260876]

Did U activate any of the versions of windows? Mine came the day after I did activation...

[JazJon]

I was running pre Win8 RTM on my laptop, and I guess the Win 8 activation didn't take on my main HTPC. You're right I got all my keys right after that. Maybe MS detects the IP your request is being made from?

I got a free media center key from a kind person on here. The day after I added the new feature, my emails came with my own keys.

P.S. when I went to add the Media Center key on my main HTPC, it actually said I needed to activate windows before I can add the feature. (so I clicked activate, and then the add new feature resumed)

I'm happy and all is well! Everyone works better than ever. Fast boots, Zippy/Peppy media center, so far so good. (all 8 tuners are working)