Like what?  I gifted you a copy back when it cost just 40 bucks, so pray tell what happened to that?

It will not activate, nor can I get a copy of it anymore. I've gone rounds with Microsoft to no avail.

 Did you buy Windows 8 OEM? If you activated it on another machine, that is why it won't activate now.

All you'd need is the key, Terry. The one Starkers gave you back then. Windows 8 can be downloaded freely. The key is the key.

Every time I put that key in it says it was already activated on another machine. I have never used the key on any other machine, nor have I successfully activated it on any machine. Microsoft says I need a new copy.

So, what you're saying is that Mark gifted you a bad key?  I give up. 

So you're telling us you went over a year with an OS key that wouldn't activate but you didn't mention it ONE time in the forums before now..........

This from the guy who obsesses over his hard drive led blinking and a 3-5 degree temp rise.

Actually I didn't know it wouldn't activate until recently. Nevermind I said anything.

If you contact support you will get a different key...
it’s not even much of a hassle.... just tell them you recently tried to activate your windows8 but it keeps saying that the key is already in use.
If you haven´t activated it on another machine then there is the small but consisting chance that your key was used or generated via a generator and use for piracy.
In that case tell them to kindly provide you a new key- ( send them a receive of the purchase or a screenshot of the original pack with the receive)

If all strings break -and they don´t want to help try the offline phone activation.

You're still using the Win7 disk I sent you...right.

Do this. It's very simple. When they ask how many machines you have it on, say "this is the only one".

Microsoft has it for download here.

If I understand correctly, said key was provided by Starkers.

I doubt Starkers would give away a key that was generated for piracy, and say he paid 40 bucks for it.

Jim, I read that the key that Starker's bought from Microsoft could have been generated by someone with a key generator after he purchased the key from Microsoft.

I read that the chances of this is 1 in 3656158440062976.

If I remember correctly, Kona uses a free antivirus program. Since some free antivirus programs don't have email support, if Starkers emailed him the key, Kona's email may have possibly been hacked.

Maybe you will be more reasonable in your future forum posts?  No more unsubstantiated claims or grandiose statements?  Well at least there will be less to retract!    

The Windows 8 kona will be a new kona!   hehe

Also, correct me if I am incorrect but I thought at some point you had 'tried' and/or 'played with' Windows 8.   If you used the disc which Starkers sent you (and if that was an oem key) it would be conceivable that that key would be seen by MS as having been 'activated' by your previous hardware.  You also stated in another thread that you recently upgraded your system.  So that could be where the issue is stemming from?

As has been noted by someone else.  Use Microsoft's telephone support for activations.  Explain some hardware was swapped/replaced etc.