I have a full, non-OEM license for Windows 8.1. I installed it on a VM on one machine.
Then I ran into problems with the hardware, and deleted the VM and installed it onto a VM on another machine and activated it by phone (the only option presented to me). All good.
Then I realized I needed to resize the VM, and deleted the VM and installed it into a new VM. I then tried to activate it, again by phone. But this time, the voice response system told me that the OS was installed on too many machines and that I needed to buy a new product key. There was no opportunity to talk to a human being and explain my situation.
Any ideas on how I can activate the OS? This is a completely legitimate copy.
Thanks in advance!