Still couldn’t activate Windows 10 build 10240

Last night I tried to install Windows 10 build 10240 (which seems to be the RTM build) by first installing build 10162 which I had already downloaded few days ago. I had to do this because Microsoft wasn't  offering the ISO anymore. (If you were trying out Windows 10 insider builds, you had won! I was too careful and I am paying for it now.) Although I could install build 10162, I couldn't activate it hence couldn't update to build 10240 as Windows Update was insisting that Windows was already up-to-date. I knew better.

So I downloaded the build 10240 from “somewhere” (since there aren't any official download links) and did a clean install with the key that I extracted from the tablet. The installation went through fine - no hiccups this time - but I still wasn't allowed to activate it. Same error code as last time.

Dammit!!!

There is nothing I can possibly do at this point but to wait the remaining two weeks before I can activate it. But I don't know which key I will have to use to activate. I have legit Windows 8.1 key and several legit Windows 7 keys but I don't think I would be inputting those. And I definitely don't want to upgrade from Windows 8.1 or 7, even if they are really clean installs.

I probably shouldn't care too much about this issue. Everything will be answered by the 29th of this month. That's less than 2 weeks away. As long as I won't go into any performance issues in Crysis 3, I don't have a reason to go back to Windows 8.1 for now.

I guess you'll hear a rant from me about the issues in Windows 10 soon. There have to be issues, because you can hardly make bug-free software. I should probably use the tablet a bit and see if it is worth holding onto.

Finally installed Windows 10 on my desktop PC but hit a wall!

I did not want to install preview builds of Windows 10 on my main desktop PC because I was concerned about the latency of pre-release drivers which could hurt me in Crysis 3 online. I tested many builds on the tablet but the initial impressions of Windows 10 on the tablet was horrible. So after trying several builds, I went back to Windows 8.1. I was thinking about upgrading the tablet, but held off till Windows 10 came out. I really did expect a miracle from the early builds. After Microsoft published the release date for Windows 10, I knew the builds coming from there onwards would be much more like the RTM. So I tried build 10130 and it was notably better than the previous builds.

 

Up until today, I had build 10162 running on the tablet. I heard the Windows 10 had finally RTMed, but also heard that Microsoft wouldn't be releasing that build to the Windows Insiders. But I wanted to give it a shot and I was amazed by what I saw. A new build!! And it had the same build number as the RTM build: 10240. w00t!

 

I quickly started downloading it. Before finishing with the update process, I decided to install Windows 10 on my main PC. I went to the Windows Insider website and Microsoft had stopped offering the installer or the ISO for PCs. It was still possible to get one for the Windows Phone. But who cares about Windows Phone. Even Microsoft doesn't seem to, now that they are getting rid of 7,800 more workers.

 

Back on the topic. So I couldn't download Windows 10. Luckily, I had downloaded Windows 10 several days ago to install on VirtualBox. Luckily I had it with me so using Rufus, I managed to create a new bootable USB stick with the Windows 10 installer. Sadly, I had not saved the serial number so I had to look around. I found one and could install Windows 10 on the desktop.

Switched back to iOS with the iPhone 6

Since the next iPhone release is right around the corner, everyone is offering discounts on iPhone 6 and 6 Plus here in Japan. So I decided to grab one of such opportunities and switch back to iOS. The phones we bought were the 16GB iPhone 6 and not the 6 Plus. The phones were had for about 11% of their original value, which turned out to be ¥8,500 per phone. Would have been great if they were free. Still, I can sell them for like ¥50,000  a piece at the current second hand market price.

We got the Gold one for my wife and Space Grey one for myself. On the way back home, we paid a visit to the Daiso store (a popular 100 Yen shopping chain) and bought screen filters and covers. My wife got a hard cover with a fancy Japanese art and I got a TPU case which looks decent for the Space Grey model. Since I plan to sell them before leaving Japan, I did not want to lose the resale value my scratching the skin.

The carrier we switched to was KDDI AU. Docomo’s monthly charges are high and Softbank would not have worked since Y-Mobile, the carrier that I was using previously uses the same network as Softbank, thus the MNP discounts do not apply. As expected, the phones are SIM locked hence I would have to sell them within Japan anyway.

This is not a permanent switch. I expect to switch back to Y-Mobile or Softbank if they offer a nice deal. Since the phones were bought paying full price, I can sell them anytime. Of course I would have to pay the termination fees. As long as I can sell the phone and recover (actually, make a profit), I'm all good.

I wouldn't be selling the Nexus 5's because despite having issues with Lollipop, they are decent phones and more importantly they are unlocked. I hate the camera though. Feels so good to use a fast camera again.

This is also a great opportunity  for me to test iOS 9 in the coming months. In a year or so, I would most probably switch to iOS depending on the quality of Android M and iOS 9. I would definitely be able to experience Android M since I'm not selling the Nexus 5's.