So if you find yourself in the same boat as me, and you are wondering what you should do, follow these steps.

Once you have a valid Key it remains valid and it is that way that MS designed it. However, corrupted licensing files may occur once there is an infection or it could be more reasons around there. Nonetheless try this entering these command on an “elevated DOS prompt” (click start> type CMD> right click CMD icon and run as admin)

1. type slmgr /upk and press enter ( a notification should pop up that the PK has been uninstalled)

2. type slmgr /cpky and press enter (this clears out the PK from registry)

3. type slmgr /rilc and press enter ( this will reinstall licensing files)

4. restart your computer twice, (if it would ask you to enter the product key on the 1st restart click ask me later and restart once more)

5. After the 2nd restart, it will ask you to enter the PK, Yes enter it. It will automatically validate but maybe if you’re lucky it would take it. If not,.. step 6.

6. click start and type “slui 4″ (without the quotes) and press enter. This will open the phone activation option. Choose your country correctly and phone in the activation server. At this point, the installation ID should be valid (unless you are using pirated copy or product key) and the phone activation server will give you the confirmation ID. It will ask you how many times you have installed your copy– of course just say once.

The original article I found this from was here.

How does it accomplish this?  It profiles you and your house.  It asks you some basic (and some not so basic) information about your house and your energy habits.  The cool thing is you can choose to fill in as much, or as little, as you want.  No pressure.  However, the more information you can give it the more accurate the reports will be.

Other cool things include the ability to track your energy bills through an automated feed.  This has to be set up with your utility company(ies), but if they offer it, then it’s a quick way for Hohm to get a lot of information about your energy consumption.  I live in Homestead, FL, and as of today they haven’t set up any of the providers here.  I’m hoping they will in the future so I can submit them my data feed and get some real data to project.

I’m really using it as a way to try and save money primarily.  If it works out I’ll be writing a success story on it at a later date.