Cubase AI6 to Cubase Artist 8

Ive paid for and downloaded Cubase 8 but cannot activate using the activation code they gave me. It says I must have a USB eLicense which I didn’t have to do with AI6…Ive tried to contact Steinberg with this issue and no response. They had no problem taking my money but now I cant even use my old version of Cubase AI6, it somehow got corrupt during this process. I desperately need some help here if anyone could please do so.