Windows 7: Win7 retail can't autoactivate - reason?

Greetings.
After having installed my Windows 8 Pro Upgrade, and regret it, I installed a fresh Windows 7 Ultimate x64 from my retail dvd.
When it came to activation, it wrote "unsuccesfull, please use phone activation".
I then tried that, and as first I had to answer on how many PCs this key was used. I press 1, and the phone-activating was done normally.

But after a while I got to think, WHY MS had to ask me this? My retail DVD (and the key to it), has not been activated for over 2 years, so maybe another is using my key?
Is there any way I can check this? Is there any way I can make "online-activating" working again?

Hello Burgurne tied doing some scans with the security mate thats a starting point.

Didn't see what security you have on board by the way,

When Windows is activated, it sends data about the hardware to the activation servers - this data is checked against previous activation data to ensure that licensing conditions are met. If the hardware has changed significantly, then it will require telephone activation as a cross-check.
Telephone activation may also be required if the total number of activations reaches a trigger-point, whether the hardware has changed or not.

Thank you Noel for that as I was chipped the other day for saying otherwise visa vie that retail could be activated as many times as one likes..


Mind you I think a few scans would still be in order, but if it were me I would go with what you say after I had done those.

Normally,Windows CAN be activated as many times as you like on the same hardware.
Retail versions can also be moved to new hardware.
However, that doesn't mean that all activations can be done over the internet.
Usually Retail versions can be activated 10 (I think) times before telephone activation is required - although that is not a fixed number and can also depend on the frequency of activation. OEM versions get 5 activations before hitting the trigger-point (I believe)

Well, my retail has only been activated 1 time, about 2 years ago. I have changed the mobo, HDD (now SSD) and graphic card since.
So why is my key listed as triggered for phone-activating? How do I check if my key has been used by others?

Changing the motherboard will almost always trigger a telephone-activation request - the biggest difference between OEM and Retail versions of Windows is that a Retail version is allowed to change to a new mothrboard, while an OEM version is permanently locked to the original one, except under very specific circumstances.

Hum Burgurne it maybe because you used that board for the 8 and then have come back to 7??
What Noel says is right too because I had an OEM where the motherboard died in a desktop I was using and with a short call I was allowed to install it on one of my laptops that had a new SSD (was Vista). I actually spoke to someone I don't know what went on with your situation though.

If you are still concerned why not ask Microsoft direct as to how many times it has been activated if it comes back 4 times then you will know someone has had their hand in the till

Not necessarily - occasionally, Windows will auto-activate if there have been problems with validation (or so I understand).