"you must activate Windows before you login"? that's weird. it should  
give you 15 days before doing that, something isn't right. maybe  
there's something in a hidden partition causing this. you could try  
reversing your BIOS clock a few days (but i'd have a heart attack if  
it actually worked). did you try hardwiring it? you can do it by  
phone, there should be something to click on that says activate by  
phone, register by phone, or something like that.

wish you well,
Jacob Smith

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