cannot activate windows 7

Fresh install using an actual MS win disk, and if so did you early in the process delete any partitions found, or is it a PC makers recovery disk set and the Key is taken from a label on the PC?

And what does "wont let me" mean exactly?

 How to activate Windows 7 manually (activate by phone)
 
1) Click Start, and in the Search box type:   slui.exe  4
 
2) Next press the 'ENTER' key
 
3) Select your 'Country' from the list.
 
4) Choose the 'Phone Activation' option.
 
5) Stay on the phone (do not select/press any options) and wait for a person to help you with activation.
 
6) Explain your problem clearly to the support person.
 
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

or

Try the appropriate phone number listed here: Microsoft Activation Centers Worldwide Telephone Numbers:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customers/activation-centers.aspx

Fresh install using an actual MS win disk, and if so did you early in the process delete any partitions found, or is it a PC makers recovery disk set and the Key is taken from a label on the PC?

And what does "wont let me" mean exactly?

There is no key Id visible/no option to activate on the automated phone system.

Thanks.

I suggest you run the Microsoft Genuine Advantage Diagnostics Tool in normal mode and copy and paste the results in a reply for further analysis:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

Fresh install using an actual MS win disk, and if so did you early in the process delete any partitions found, or is it a PC makers recovery disk set and the Key is taken from a label on the PC?

And what does "wont let me" mean exactly?

Hi

I dont have a disc, I'm assuming it came pre-loaded only.  I took note of the key using a keyfinder program as the sticker fell of ages ago.

So I burned a bootable disk from an iso file and did a clean install.

There is a windows.old file now but no partitions I can see.

The error code I get when trying to activate online is
Activation Error: 0xC004E003 (License Evaluation Failed)

There is no key Id visible/no option to activate on the automated phone system.

Thanks.

Key Finder Programs do not find a Product Key that is useable by you for reinstallation purposes on an OEM preinstalled Licensed Computer ( Dell, HP, etc.)

You reinstallation methods, without having to buy a new Windows License, are limited:

You can contact your Computer Manufacturer and ask them to send you a set of Recovery Disks.

They should do that for a small cost.

"How to replace Microsoft software or hardware, order service packs, and replace product manuals"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246

And if you never received a Recovery Disk when you purchased your Computer there should be a Recovery Partition on the Hard Drive to reinstall Windows back to how you bought your Computer.

The Recovery process can be started by pressing a particular Key or Keys combination at Boot. (Power On / Startup)

It may be F10, F11, Alt + F10, etc depending on the Manufacturer.

Ask them for the correct Key sequence.

The above reinstallation methods do not normally require you to supply a Product Key during the Installation Process as the Manufacturer's Recovery Process uses the Factory Installation Product Key to automatically Activate during the reinstallation process.

Cheers.

The error code I get when trying to activate online is
Activation Error: 0xC004E003 (License Evaluation Failed)

This is not the only relevant information in the report!