Win 7 Pro not activating after clean install

Hi all,
I recently bought a new ASUS laptop that came pre-installed with Windows 7 Professional. I wanted to perform a clean install so I could remove a lot of the pre-installed software that comes with it.
My laptop DID NOT come with a windows install cd.
I downloaded a version of windows pro, the link I used can be found here [removed by admin] . They are links to a windows installer from Digital River.


I used my product key in the installation and it seemed to accept it there.
However a few days later, Windows Activation pops up and asks me to activate it. So I enter the code in but it says "the windows 7 professional product key you typed is invalid for activation". It suggested I activate by phone.

After typing in the 54 digit code Windows Activation gave me the voice message said that I have exceeded my limit of activations of this product code.

I also have updated online at microsoft.com/genuine and it says it has been validated and I can now enjoy windows etc etc.

Can anyone help point me in the right direction here as to how to get this activated, hopefully without having to lose all my files and programs.

Thanks in advance.

If your using the key from a sticker on your PC, it won't work. It never does. You might want to just keep trying Microsoft, but talk to an operator next time.

I'm not sure if I do have a recovery partition. Is there a way to find out?

I think I'll call microsoft and try to get an operator to help me out as I don't want to uninstall all my programs.

Funny thing is I ran this microsoft genuine advantage diagnostic and it states it's been activated and validated.

type disk manager in the search and it will bring up the virtual partitioner take a look at what is there, take a pic and post it.

Ok phone activation works.

You might want to update your FAQ on phone activation and warn others about this:

after typing in the 50 odd digit code be sure to answer 1 to both questions after it. Otherwise you are locked out for at least 24 hours (maybe 2 or 3 days!). The questions basically ask if you are trying to install this on another computer, I didn't understand the 2nd question so I pressed 2 instead of 1.

I recently bought a new ASUS laptop that came pre-installed with Windows 7 Professional. I wanted to perform a clean install so I could remove a lot of the pre-installed software that comes with it.

Quite admirable but sledgehammer/nut? Surprised Asus pre-installed such tremendous amount of bloatware, they are usually one of the better build manufacturers.

jabso said:

Hi all,
I recently bought a new ASUS laptop that came pre-installed with Windows 7 Professional. I wanted to perform a clean install so I could remove a lot of the pre-installed software that comes with it.
My laptop DID NOT come with a windows install cd.
I downloaded a version of windows pro, the link I used can be found here LEGAL Windows 7 Download Links (Just like Vista before!!!) . They are links to a windows installer from Digital River.


I used my product key in the installation and it seemed to accept it there.
However a few days later, Windows Activation pops up and asks me to activate it. So I enter the code in but it says "the windows 7 professional product key you typed is invalid for activation". It suggested I activate by phone.

After typing in the 54 digit code Windows Activation gave me the voice message said that I have exceeded my limit of activations of this product code.

I also have updated online at microsoft.com/genuine and it says it has been validated and I can now enjoy windows etc etc.

Can anyone help point me in the right direction here as to how to get this activated, hopefully without having to lose all my files and programs.

Thanks in advance.

Troubleshoot activation problems

You can only use a product key 1-5 times... and it says it activated because someone else has done that, leaving microsoft to think thats you....
Some people are sooo stupid; never download a bloomin windows 7 from a forum... even if the key is there... it will have been used many of a time :/