Why keep asking me for the product key?

[sunny5]

I have a ASUS Eee PC 1016P 10.1" Netbook and it has windows 7 already preinstalled. Whenever i try to use something like microsoft powerpoint or microsoft word it tells me to enter the product key. Why does it keep doing this? I pretty sure i don't have the trial version because i used it over sixty days before and used it more than 25 times. My computer was experiencing some problems and they are fixed now but i can no longer use microsoft programs without it asking me for product key. it never used to do this until i had to do system restore which set my computer to factory condition like i just bought it. do i have to buy the program to get product key?

[Basil]

When a major hardware or software change is detected on a system, some products are designed to require reregistration as a safeguard against piracy. Of course the only people this actually affects are legitimate users, go figure.

However, your computer very likely did not come with a fully registered version (http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/content.aspx?pg=officeready&displaylang=en) of microsoft office on it, unless otherwise specified. The product key would be on a sticker somewhere on the laptop or bundled with the packaging. If you know that it should have the full version of the product then you should contact wherever you bought it from and ask them what to do.

You could try open office (http://openoffice.org), a free alternative, or purchase a license from microsoft.

[sunny5]

i have tried to do it, but ...

[felgall]

One of the options for reactivating is to phone Microsoft. You phone them up and explain that your hardware has significantly changed and it wants you to reactivate and give them the product key. They check that it hasn't been activated too many times recently and provided it doesn't look like you are trying to install one copy on multiple computers they'll give you a code to activate it.

[sunny5]

I think I find the answer on [moderator removed name]

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