Reinstalling over corrupt OS

the only info I entered was the product key ..I don't recall any request for Activation key. So is there a switch in regedit that can be made to "manual activation" instead?

--this was a clean install from a new Win 7 Pro disk.

It will attempt to activate with the Product Key (same as activation key) when you connect to the internet.

What does it say at Computer>Properties activation link (scroll down).

2 days until automatic activation.

You might try uninstalling the product key by running slmgr -upk from Elevated Command Prompt.

If you do this when activated, it will go non-geniune. But in your case it should reset the 30 day activation timeout. If not you can run slmgr -rearm which is what we do when uninstalling Product key causes it to go non-geniune, or an extension is needed up to 3 times.

SLMgr Commands and Options with Windows Vista Product Key Activation » My Digital Life

since I have so little in the way of programs installed yet, will reinstalling this Windows accomplish the same thing ..will I then have the opportunity to manually set the Activation?

If you leave the Product Key blank and uncheck Auto-Activation box this time.

You really only would need to be concerned if you have retail OEM, since all other retail versions can be reinstalled or migrate to other hardware as often as you want, for life.

Is there another reason you are concerned with activating now?

My version is OEM.

Will it allow the installation to continue without inputting the Product Key?

I am a currently running through some diagnostics to try and determine whether I have a problem with either a HDD/SSD or the motherboard -- getting lotsa BSOD and flakey OS (even with just a few programs installed). So I want the option of clean re-installing Windows (perhaps several times) without the hassle of begging MS for reactivation (after changing out critical hardware components).

Yes, leave the Product Key blank and uncheck the box during install. It should give you 30 days to activate.

Upload the bugcheck files to our Crashes forum using this tool to get fast resolution on the bluescreens: Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions - Windows 7 Forums

Thanks -- that suggestion works fine :)

However, I'm still having a big problem with the motherboard not seeing my 2 sata HDDs in AHCI config mode (they do detect them in PCI mode though). In all modes Bios sees the SSD (os) ok ..just no detection of the 2 HDDs (Seagates). As well, during Windows install the loader won't accept the AMD SATA drivers either.
Interestingly, in Windows device manager, all the drives are listed!

Because of a suspect faulty m/b Sata controller (ports 5&6) I've decided to send the whole comp back to the seller as it is still under the warranty -- return paid no less They will stress test everything and return it with whatever is needed to make it right.

I am thinking about also sending along my new Win 7 Pro OEM disk package so they can use it (instead of their shop copy) to set everything up for a proper test and then hand the comp back to me with my os on it and working properly ..hopefully unactivated.

With the product key on the case and Windows not yet activated, do you think it's wise that the new Win 7 disk be included with the shipment?

Did you try other SATA ports? How about SATA or IDE mode in BIOS setup? PCI mode is strange.

The WIn7 installer never needs SATA or AHCI drivers, maybe some older iDE's. Did you try wiping one of the drives, reformatting NTFS, perhaps running maker's Diagnostics CD scan to confirm its good?

Ask Support if they have media to install WIn7 Pro OEM for you to activate later. If they need the media, just send a copy of the DVD made with ImgBurn, without the Product key which should be protected like a bank account number and never given out.