can't activate again on reformatted hdd

[macgig]

so, I installed the win7 update on 2 pcs. worked fine.

sometime later, I formatted the drive on one pc. installed the windows 7 update... BUT I could not activate. after 30 days, I get the ugly black screen and warnings it's not a legal copy?

I paid for this update... $119 bucks on the microsoft store.

so now I can't use/install it again? they want me to buy it again? this don't seem right. I'm not paying for this again.

what can I do?

 

[Brink]

Hello macgig, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Is your copy of Windows 7 only installed on one computer currently? If not, then that is the issue. You can only have a retail copy of Windows 7 activated with your key number on one computer at a time, and uninstalled on all others.

Have you already tried to do a phone activation?

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[NoelDP]

Please follow this tutorial and post an MGADiag report - then we can see what the problem is.

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/234159-windows-genuine-activation-issue-posting-instructions.html


Please also state the Version and Edition of Windows quoted on your COA sticker (if you have one) on the case of your machine (or inside the battery compartment), but do NOT quote the Key on the sticker!
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howtotell/Hardware.aspx