I had a problem a few months ago with my Sony Vaio (Windows 7). After I came back from holiday and I turned my laptop on for the first time in a week, the icons where missing from the desktop, toolbar and start menu. I was adviced by tech support to reset the laptop to the factory settings, and after a while it worked. When I tried to use Word, Powerpoint etc it asked me for the product key again, although I didn't need to reinstall the programme again!!! I re-entered the product key I previously used, (which I bought 4 months previously and only once) and it didn't work, which means I couldn't use the programmes. Does anyone know a solution to the problem?! I don't want to buy another microsoft package again, as they're expensive and I had only used the product key once. I am understood that you can use this 3 times? If so, there shouldn't be a problem! Thanks for your help, it is appreciated!

I do not know about the using the 3 times, you are using the key for Office and not for windows right?? When it rejects the key it should offer youa phone number to call..call it only they can help you. You question is about office and this is a windows 7 forum.

I had a problem a few months ago with my Sony Vaio (Windows 7). After I came back from holiday and I turned my laptop on for the first time in a week, the icons where missing from the desktop, toolbar and start menu. I was adviced by tech support to reset the laptop to the factory settings, and after a while it worked. When I tried to use Word, Powerpoint etc it asked me for the product key again, although I didn't need to reinstall the programme again!!! I re-entered the product key I previously used, (which I bought 4 months previously and only once) and it didn't work, which means I couldn't use the programmes. Does anyone know a solution to the problem?! I don't want to buy another microsoft package again, as they're expensive and I had only used the product key once. I am understood that you can use this 3 times? If so, there shouldn't be a problem! Thanks for your help, it is appreciated! Hi Since you have already activated once, you will probably need to use the manual, telephone activation. 1. Press the Windows Logo Key+R. This will bring up the Run dialog box. 2. In the Open: box, type slui 4 and press OK. This will start the manual activation wizard. 3. Select your Country in the drop down menu and click Next. 4. The wizard will display a Toll Free phone number. Leave the wizard open on the computer and call that phone number. You will be given some recorded options. Select the option to talk to a live representative. The representative will manually activate that system for you. Let us know if you have any more problems _____________________ Ronnie Vernon MVP