Can't install - I've used Serial Number once before!

Sometime at the end of last year (2012) I bought the game Mass Effect 3. Between now and then after I had completed the game, I gave the computer a wipe so everything on my hard drive was erased.

Now at the present, I’ve decided to reinstall and replay the game again, but for some odd reason, I can’t install the game. I keep getting a message saying “This code has already been used”

I’ve only ever installed the game once a year ago when I bought it. This will be my 2nd time installing and playing the game.

I did have problems a year ago trying to create an account for Origin, it must have taken me a few hours to actually get somewhere and finally install the game. I don’t know if Origin was having a bad moment or if it was just my game. I honestly don’t know.

I would have thought that Origin would be somewhat like Steam, where the serial number would be registered to the users account so it wont cause problems the next time you plan on reinstalling the game again.

Is there anyway to fix this, I honestly don’t want to buy another Mass Effect 3 game again and be put in the same position again the next time I decided to reinstall and replay the game after I give the computer another wipe.

Mass Effect 3 is the only game i have registered with Origin. This is like I said up above, will be my 2nd time installing the game and replaying it. So to put it plainly, I’m a newbie with Origin as it’s my 2nd time using it.

Any help to deal with my serial number problem would be great.

Thanks, Mike