This product key you typed cannot be used to activate Windows on this computer.

Tummy · 13 May 2010 at 12:03

What the ***?

I formatted twice in a fairly short space of time (I'd guess 3 weeks) and I've noticed it hasn't auto activated Windows.

When I tell it to activate, I get this message and it refuses to activate.

It's worked fine every other time ? :confused:

postmanfw · 13 May 2010 at 12:07

Phone the free automated m$ service that should sort it.

Tummy · 13 May 2010 at 12:08

Why should I have to phone?

*not been ****y just wondering*

Why isn't it working via the net like it has done every other time?

*my net has been awful recently, but this isn't to do with that?*

SiriusB · 13 May 2010 at 12:17

If you have done [or attempted] a certain amount of activations in a given time period, or you have changed a major bit of hardware, you need to use the phone activation service. It is all to do with whether you're doing something naughty. For example, it may think you're trying to activate a copy of Windows that has been activated by someone else.

All that aside, it takes just a few minutes pressing keys on your phone to a robot.

Tummy · 13 May 2010 at 12:21

I activated it via the phone service.

Just bugged me that it wouldn't work.

My net has been awful recently, I thought a format and a clean Windows would help incase I'd picked up something nasty.

No. Just god awful service from Virgin Media.

SiriusB · 13 May 2010 at 12:25

An iffy Internet connection might have triggered it I suppose. Though if you are capable of browsing then I don't see why any connection to MS activation servers would act up.

Cosimo · 13 May 2010 at 12:51

It’s a pain in the butt. Had this happen to both windows and office on a reinstall done within six weeks of the previous one.