Windows 7: Microsoft just dissappoints me now.

Recently I setup RAID1 on my rig, and when I booted into 7, I needed to reactivate. I COULDN'T, so I called Microsoft about the ordeal, and from my understanding, the version I bought online was a builder's version and it expired, so now I'm down $210.00 +tax, to get a retail version. It pisses me off how people work, and tell you it's retail but it's not! I can't believe M$ couldn't just have given me a retail key and be over with it..but I guess not.



Word of advice, don't trust anyone. lol

Windows 7 doesnt expire unless its a trial/evaluation. System Builder licenses are good for one computer apiece but they dont expire. Either you're not able to get across what you mean or the guys you spoke to were BSing.

where did you buy online?

please don't say ebay...

I probably just misinterpreted the camel rider (no offense to anyone) It's always so difficult to understand what they are saying and that. Also, I did not buy off of ebay, never ebay.

When you say you couldnt activate, can you elaborate what the error message was? If you dont remember try activating again with the same key and note down the message.

Also, the people you contacted, where did you get the phone number from?

Were you not aware of this when you purchased it? It should have cost about 1/2 of retail.

As others have said, they don't expire. I'd call back and simply explain that you are reinstalling to a new RAID array and need to reactivate on the same computer. They should be able to take care of it over the phone.


They aren't going to simply toss you out a retail key to replace your OEM system builders key. The retail can be used on any computer you want, the OEM key is for 1 and only 1 computer ever. Hence the reason it costs less and saved you money at the initial purchase.