Windows locked me out, not activated.

[Edthefirst]

I bought 7 using the Student deal (7 pro x64). I've installed it on my desktop and laptop. My laptop recently showed up with a "Can't activate Windows" bubble on the taskbar. Now it has officially locked me out. I get to the login screen, but as soon as I enter windows I am greeted with a black screen.

The bottom right corner says:

Windows RC 7600
Unactivated Copy

(or something along those lines)

I can move my mouse around and everything but can't do anything. None of the major windows hotkeys work. I was wondering how could activate it, since I can't do anything. I imagine reinstalling would work but I would like to avoid that as much as possible.

 

[mckillwashere]

Can you post a screen shot? ( Since your locked out maybe a camera picture?)
Do you have access to the start menu?
and do you have a legit key?

 

[reghakr]

Is your Internet connection working OK?

 

[Edthefirst]

My internet connection is working fine. As far as a picture it looks like this, except it just has the black screen and is build 7600.

Nothing shows up.

The key is genuine, it is the one that digital river gave me through the student purchase.

 

[mckillwashere]

Did you have an illegit copy installed and turned it legit? by changing the key?

 

[Edthefirst]

No, it is fully legit. I did get it working now though. I managed to get it to rearm. Thanks anyways.

 

[mckillwashere]

Could you post what you had to do for future reference? Cause if this is happening now, it may happen to others.