im not getting an activation from microsoft after clean install

When connected to the internet, from a command prompt type "slmgr /ato" without the quotes. I don't think it has to be run as administrator command prompt, but it might.

That initiates an online activation attempt.

Assuming it was activated before you could try slui 4 to get their number and phone them.

Worked for me in this situation (after a couple of calls).

MrOblivion said:

Before I tired the clean install from usb I had win 10 activated from free upgrade, is that what you mean?

Yes exactly. I lost activation doing clean install (it was activated after upgrading from 7 and wasn't after clean install with same error as you).

Phoning fixed it but I had to phone a few times to get someone to fix it - some of the MS staff just say upgrade again, some sign on and activate your system with a new key.

MrOblivion said:

when I was using slui 4 it states that it uses an automated machine so wouldn't that mean that if it doesn't like the ID I'm screwed lol

No. After you type in the number if it doesn't recognize it the robot puts you through to a real person.

It may work - if it does it is quicker than upgrading again..

MrOblivion said:

EDIT: Wait @!#$ I deleted every partition in the setup I think Microsoft uses that to validate the pc....

Nope. The partitions have nothing to do with activation. I've deleted all partitions on a clean install, and have had several different partition combinations. All mine have activated. I think what happened is some people got their initial activations back when MS was having issues with their activation servers and the proper initial activation didn't get saved properly or got corrupted. That's just my personal theory. I've done 4 or 5 clean installs at my house, including deleting all partitions, and have never had a problem with activation.