Windows 8.1 Recovery completed but can't Activate

I thought I saw this elsewhere, but can't find it now.

I have had to perform a full recovery on a Inspireon running Windows 8.1

I have completed it and now have to Activate Windows.

The option is there on the SYSTEM screen, in the lower right, and when I click it, Windows goes to the Settings screen with the gear, and then just goes to a blank white screen, soon followed to the Blue Windows 8.1 startup screen.

Windows still not activated. Help!