I am getting an "activate windows within --- days activate now" box before the welcome screen, I go to activate, and windows says it is already activated. Any way to bypass this?
Boot into "Safe Mode". To do this, turn the laptop on and press F8 as it is booting up. Go into "Safe Mode" by choosing the "Safe Mode" option.
Once you are at the desktop in "Safe Mode", Click "Start" then click "Run".
At the run command prompt type the following EXACTLY
rundll32.exe syssetup,SetupOobeBnk
*NOTE: The "Oo"'s in Oobe are "oh's" - not "zero's" There is one space after rundll32.exe. It is case sensitive as far as I know.
Click OK
Wait a few seconds - the screen may blip a few times or so.
This just reset Windows Activation for 30 days.
Reboot the PC into normal mode - log in - re-activate Windows
there are some phone numbers you can use to talk on phone with someone, by the way do not press any numbers wait awhile and eventually you will get a human.